The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) faced criticism during a consumer protection subcommittee last week as Senator Clair McCaskill questioned the agencies effectiveness in protecting consumers from defective automobiles. Deputy Administrator, David Friedman was grilled about the agencies roll in the delay of General Motors’ recalls, including defective ignition switches which have been linked to 20 deaths. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Automobile Safety
2010-2014 Ferrari 458 Trunk Latch Safety Problem
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard (FMVSS) No. 401, requires that all vehicles have a release mechanism installed in the trunk that will make it possible for a person to open the trunk from the inside. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, certain 2010-2014 Ferrari 458 Italia and Spider vehicles may not comply to this standard. Ferrari has determined that vehicles manufactured prior to a running change made in May 2013 may not release the secondary latch when the vehicle is stationary. If a person was to become trapped in the trunk it will increases the risk of personal injury and possible death. Continue reading
Auto Safety Bill Proposes Increased Transparency From NHTSA
In response to the record amount of recalls issued in 2014, U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, J. Rockefeller, is introducing a bill (S. 2559) that will give the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more funding and increased authority when it comes to recalling unsafe vehicles. Continue reading
2014 Jaguar XF Loss Of Braking
Jaguar Land Rover have filed a non-compliance report with the NHTSA involving a small number of 2013-2014 Jaguar XF cars. During accelerated durability testing it was found that the right hand rear brake pipe was chaffing on the rear sub frame bracket. Contact between the two parts could result in wear on the brake pipe and eventual sudden loss of brake fluid. Drivers will experience an illuminated low brake fluid warning light and stopping distances will be increased . Loss of one braking circuit could compromise vehicle stability and significantly increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading
Chevrolet Silverado Inaudible Warning Indicator
The owners of certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUV’s equipped with base radio and an internal amplifier, could experience problems that will leave drivers with no audible warning indicators. This “No Chime Condition” will require that the vehicle be returned to the nearest dealership to have the radio software updated. The defect could leave drivers with no audible warning if the key is left in the ignition, the driver’s door is opened, or if the front passenger seat belt is not buckled. (Radio and chime functions are not restored until the battery is disconnected and reconnected.) Continue reading
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Illuminating Service Airbag Warning
General Motors has decided that a defect relating to airbag safety exists in certain 2014 Corvette sports cars. Owners will be issued notices with instructions to return to their dealership to have the Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) replaced, free of charge. The GM recall number is 14219 and the NHTSA campaign number is 14V299. Continue reading
FTC Urged To Enforce Mandatory Recall Repairs On Used Vehicles
According to recent reports from the New York Times, a group of eleven consumer and safety organizations are petitioning the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate used car dealership, CarMax, for deceptive advertising practices. The group claims that the dealership is advertising their pre-owned vehicles as passing a rigorous 125 point quality inspection, but the inspection fails to carry out the basic step of checking to see if there are any unfixed safety recalls affecting the vehicle. Continue reading
2014 Ford Escape And C-Max Airbag Software Error
Ford has identified a software error in certain 2013-2014 Escape and C-Max vehicles that could cause a delayed deployment of the side curtain rollover air bags. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the supplier of the Restraint Control Module (RCM), reversed polarity of the vertical axis sensing configuration file of the Safety Canopy System. The deployment of the safety canopy may be delayed in certain rollover circumstanced, potentially increasing the risk of injury during an accident. Continue reading
