Category Archives: NHTSA

Instrument Panel Failure In 2014 Silverado And Sierra Trucks

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General Motors is petitioning the NHTSA to not recall certain 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra trucks for a technical hiccup that could result in the instrument panel display being temporarily interrupted.

According to a non-compliance report sent to the NHTSA last October, under certain rare circumstances, when an owner uses the steering wheel controls to browse songs from an external device plugged into one of the vehicle’s USB ports, the instrument cluster could reset. When the instrument cluster resets, the analog gauges and identifications, the shift position indicator, and the cruise control could briefly turn off. In addition, some of the instrument cluster warning lights may also illuminate briefly without a condition being present. Continue reading →

NHTSA Proposes Side Impact Test for Child Restraint Systems

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are proposing upgrades to the federal motor vehicle safety standard for child-restraint systems to ensure child passengers are protected in side crashes. The proposed upgrades would include a first-ever side impact test for car seats sold in the U.S. that are designed for children weighing up to 40 pounds. Continue reading →

Highway Safety Group Implements Tougher Criteria For Auto Safety Ratings

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is once again making it increasingly difficult for automakers to achieve top ratings for vehicle safety, by tightening testing criteria for the third time since 2006. The tests will evaluate two aspects of safety: crash worthiness – how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash – and crash avoidance and mitigation – technology that can prevent a crash or lessen its severity. Continue reading →

NHTSA Encourages Advanced Auto Technology To Reduce Human Error

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According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 90% of all accidents are due to human error. As part of a push by the NHTSA to eliminate traffic fatalities, the group is looking at the newest technology already used by nearly every automaker. The safety group hopes to work closely with the auto industry to address highway safety to see where industry can fast-track existing technology for the greatest advances. Continue reading →

Government Shutdown Forces NHTSA Closures

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Due to the federal government shutdown, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced that they will be forced to close several branches of the agency and cut back on over fifty percent of their employees. While functions funded by the Highway Trust Fund will continue; defect investigations, field crash investigations, review of consumer complaints, and notifications of new vehicle and equipment recalls will all be suspended. Continue reading →

Auto Backup Camera Debate Continues

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 300 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur each year as a result of accidents caused by vehicles backing up, with almost 45% of these fatalities involve children under five. A lawsuit filed in New York today, has the Consumers Union and the advocacy wing of Consumer Reports magazine hoping that it will force the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to take steps in setting rear visibility standards for light vehicles. Continue reading →