The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into possible fire hazards in some 2007 Camry, Camry Solara and Rav4 vehicles. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, owners experienced a burning odor, and eventually flames coming from inside the doors. The problem is suspected to be caused by a malfunctioning power window master switch control. If the investigation leads to a recall, almost 830,000 vehicles could be affected.
Tag Archives: automobile investigation
NHTSA Upgrades Jeep Liberty Airbag Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is upgrading an investigation into almost 400,000 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty SUV’s, for complaints of inadvertent airbag deployment. Almost 90 complaints have been received to date, 50 of which alleged injuries including burns, cuts and bruises. Chrysler and the NHTSA are suspecting a voltage spike in the electronic circuit that controls the airbag deployment, and are working with the safety administration for confirmation. There have been no complaints of inadvertent airbag deployment in vehicles manufactured after March 19, 2003.
Mercedes Benz Investigated For Fuel Smell
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating certain 2003-2006 Mercedes Benz E55 AMG sedans and wagons for potential gas leaks. The NHTSA has received over 20 reports from owners who complained about the smell of gasoline inside and outside the vehicle. In some cases, a visible fuel leak was noticed from the fuel sending unit at the top of the fuel tank, underneath the cushion in the rear seat. Several reports suggest the leakage may be related to a March, 2008 emissions recall conducted by Mercedes Benz (Emissions Recall Campaign # 2008-020001) which involved potential cracking of the fuel filter module in vehicles exposed to high ambient temperatures. If the investigation leads to a recall, over 8,000 vehicles could be affected.
NHTSA Accused Of Chevy Volt Cover Up
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is being accused of trying to keep the Chevrolet Volt battery fire a secret in an attempt to protect the government’s investment in the car company. Members of the House Committee for Government Reform released a report that states that the bailout of GM, creates business and political reasons for the government to sacrifice public safety. They criticize the time it took for the investigation to begin and the conclusion that the vehicle was safe, just two weeks into the investigation.
The NHTSA defends their position on the Chevy Volt investigation, saying that the agency is still developing protocols for dealing with battery powered vehicles. In the case of the Volt, they do not see the fire as a highway hazard because the problem could only be reproduced after impaling the battery with a steel rod. Still, it took at least a week for the fire to start. They added that GM was quick in responding to the problem, and developed protocols to drain the battery after a Volt has been in an accident.
NAS Recommends Improvements To The NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is being urged by the National Academy of Science (NAS) to refine its investigative techniques and add technical help to meet increasingly complex automobile technology. The academy feels that the NHTSA lacks the understanding of hardware and software automakers are installing in their new vehicles, which became prevalent during the NHTSAs investigation into unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles in 2009/2010. Members of the NAS said that the NHTSA did all they could during the investigation, but a lack of understanding of the technology slowed down the process.
Some of the recommendation made by the NAS include:
- A push to have automakers install “black boxes” on all new vehicles to record crash data.
- The federal agency form an advisory panel of specialists who can assist both in regulatory reviews and specific vehicle investigations.
- Review of how the agency’s investigators share data with its researchers.
The safety agency says it has already taken steps to strengthen its expertise in electronic control systems, and will continue to work with the National Academy of Sciences to do more to ensure the safety of consumers.
Chevy Volts Repaired But Not Recalled
General Motors is asking its Chevrolet Volt customers to return their vehicles to dealers so they can make repairs that will lower the risk of battery fires. The announcement comes after an investigation into a battery fire that consumed three vehicles at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) test facility. Follow-up tests to simulate the incident resulted in two out of three vehicles catching fire. GM and federal safety officials believe that the fires were caused by coolant leaking from damaged plastic casing around the batteries after a side-impact collisions. That coolant caused an electrical short, which sparked battery fires seven days to three weeks after the crashes.
Dealers will add steel plates around the Volt battery that will spread the force of a crash over a larger surface area. Tests carried out by GM and the government have shown that the repairs prevent battery damage and coolant leaks.
Honda Civic Hybrid Experiences Gas Leak
Honda has announced that they will be offering extended warranty on some 2006-2011 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles, due to small cracks that could develop in the gas tanks. According to Honda, the cracks are not a safety problem because the potential fuel leak is very small, and comes from the top area of the tank, by the fuel filler, where there is no ignition source nearby. The driver may smell gas vapors and in rare instances may see a small amount of fuel spilled on the ground. The problem is more likely to occur in states known for very hot weather.
In order to promote consumer confidence, the automaker sent a letter to owners informing them of the extended warranty of 10 years or 120,000 miles from the time the vehicle was new. Honda has also reported the problem to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), where it is being reviewed.
Ford Wheel Stud Fractures
Ford has announced a recall for certain 2010-2011 Ford Fusion and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles equipped with 17 inch steel wheels. The recall comes after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation in January, where customers complained of cracking wheel studs on their low mileage vehicles. Ford said drivers could experience vehicle vibration leading to the wheel separating from the vehicle completely. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
