General Motors will be notifying certain 2011-2013 Chevrolet Volt owners about a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety. According to reports, it is possible that drivers could exit their vehicle while inadvertently leaving them “On”. After a period of time, the vehicle’s battery could drain and the vehicle’s gas engine will automatically start to run to recharge it. If the gas engine runs for long periods of time within an enclosed space, such as a garage, carbon monoxide could build up potentially causing injury. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Automobile Safety
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Repeated Safety Defects
If you are the owner of a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you are probably aware of the repeated problems experienced by many drivers. With over four hundred complaints and eight recalls, this model year Grand Cherokee has gained a reputation as a lemon vehicle. Airbag, electrical, electronic stability control (ECS), vehicle speed control, and brake problems have been blamed for unsafe driving conditions and accidents on several occasions. Continue reading
RECALL Act – Repair Every Car to Avoid Lost Lives Act
A new legislation introduced to the senate this week, would force states to inform drivers about safety recalls on their vehicles and require them to have repairs done before renewing their registration. The Repair Every Car to Avoid Lost Lives, or RECALL Act, has been introduced to address the millions of vehicles that have unfixed recalls and concerns that less that 70% of vehicle repairs are done within 18 months of being recalled. The bill has already received support from several consumer groups including the Center for Auto Safety, the Consumer Federation of America, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and even some automakers.
IIHS Study Shows Improvements In Automobile Safety
A recent study done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) looked at driver fatality rates in 2009-2012 model year vehicles. The study found nine models that are so safe that they had a driver death rate of zero. (Only eight years ago there were no car manufacturers who could make this claim.) These mostly 2011 models, show how the chances of dying in a car crash have steadily decreased over the last few years. Improvements in car safety such as electronic stability control, which was not required by federal mandate until 2011, have been a huge factor in preventing automobile accidents. “We know from our vehicle ratings program that crash-test performance has been getting steadily better,” according to David Zuby, IIHS’ executive vice president. “These latest death rates provide new confirmation that real-world outcomes are improving, too.” Continue reading
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Suspension Problem
General Motors will be asking owners of certain 2015 Chevrolet Corvette sports cars to return to their dealership for a defect that could affect safety. On some of these vehicles, the toe link outer ball joint may have not been fastened properly to the right rear suspension knuckle. A loose toe link could cause the rear suspension to make a loud metallic noises when turning corners or driving over bumps. Over time, the toe link could separate creating sudden vehicle instability. Continue reading
VW & Audi Fuel Injection System Leaks
Customer complaints regarding fuel odor in the engine compartment of certain Audi and Volkswagen vehicles will have approximately 26,000 owners returning to their dealership for repairs. According to reports, a combination of production tolerance issues combined with vibrations during dynamic driving, could result in a fuel leak in the fuel injection system. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries as a result of this safety defect, but a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in an engine fire. Continue reading
Recall Delays Put Drivers In Unsafe Driving Situations
Months after receiving recall notices, millions of vehicle owners are still waiting to hear how long it will take to get recalls repaired. Delays in the recall system have resulted in unsafe conditions as owners continue to drive with defects. Sometimes the companies or dealers offer free loaner cars, but most of the time they don’t. This leaves car owners with a difficult decision of whether they should continue driving and hope the problem doesn’t affect them, or rent a car. In some circumstances it may take months or even years before parts become available.
Auto Recalls Expected To Increase In 2015
Newly appointed head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mark Rosekind is warning vehicle owners to expect automobile recalls in 2015 to surpass the record set last year. In 2014, the NHTSA was under scrutiny by safety officials and advocates for their slow response to recalls involving Takata airbags and GM ignition switches. Continue reading
