The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have revealed their plans to more aggressively enforce automobile safety after admitting to missing signs of ignition problems affecting millions of GM vehicles. The Administration will be using a team of auto safety system experts who will spend a year advising the NHTSA about implementing new reforms to strengthen its investigation processes, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. Continue reading
Tag Archives: NHTSA investigation
Takata Airbag Defects Expanding
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are demanding that airbag manufacturer, Takata Industries along with automobile manufacturer’s BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota, expand their airbag recall to include vehicles beyond the initial geographical areas. This decision comes after a recent driver’s side air bag failure in a vehicle outside the current regional recall area, previous fatalities, and many injuries that have been linked to the problem. Continue reading
Rupturing Airbags Prompt NHTSA Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced that they will be opening an investigation into automobiles from five major automobile manufacturers for problems with airbags that could rupture and injure vehicle occupants. The announcement comes after six reports of air bag inflator ruptures occurring in areas that have consistently hot, humid conditions. The NHTSA has received notification from BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota that they will be issuing limited regional recalls to repair possible safety defects involving these Takata brand air bag inflators. Continue reading
Could Push Button Ignition Become Standard On Automobiles?
GM’s ignition switch problems have raised the question of whether push button ignition systems may be safer to use in automobiles than the standard keyed ignition. Key-less ignition systems have been used in luxury cars since the 1990’s, and most of today’s automobile manufacturers offer them as an option in approximately 72% of their vehicles sold today. Continue reading
GM Faces Fines For Ignition Switch Safety Problems
A record fine of $35 million U.S. will be paid out by GM after a government investigation into how GM handled the recall of 2.59 million vehicles over faulty ignition switches. GM’s agreement with regulators also includes significant changes into how the automobile manufacturer reviews safety problems and decides when to issue a recall.
- G.M. will be required to meet monthly with regulators and provide a list of every safety problem under consideration, as well as report on any new communications with their dealers.
- The company must also improve information sharing across its different units, make recall decisions more quickly and revise its analysis practices to improve the ability to identify safety issues.
Electronic Throttle Failure In Ford And Mercury Vehicles
The NHTSA is ending an investigation into allegations of electronic throttle failure in Ford and Mercury vehicles. Instead, Ford will be conducting a special Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) in which they will be contacting owners to take their vehicles to a manufacturer approved dealership to update the power-train calibration software to improve vehicle performance. Ford will also extend their power-train warranty coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles. Continue reading
2011 Mazda CX-9 Investigated For Poor Brake Performance
The NHTSA have opened a preliminary evaluation (PE14-005) into certain 2010-2011 Mazda CX-9 vehicles. The NHTSA has already received seven reports from divers alleging symptoms of hard brake pedal feel, audible hissing noised during braking, and reduced brake system performance. Continue reading
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Headliner Fire Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have opened a preliminary investigation into certain 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicles after receiving complaints of the passenger side headliners catching on fire. Continue reading
