Safety


Volvo recalls over 140K 2001-2005 and 2010 MY vehicles over fuel system issues

Vehicles manufactured by Volvo are the subject of two different recalls newly announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). The recalls, both involving problems with fuel systems, cover more than 140,000 vehicles manufactured within the past decade. The first recall is directed at 136,100 2001-2005 model year S60, S80, V70, XC70, and XC90 vehicles sold and operated in warmer climates. According to NHTSA, the fuel pump can develop cracks in its flange when exposed to hot temperatures (and thermal cycling) combined ... Read more →

Cut It Out: Toyota's recalled pedal modification remedy detailed step-by-step Chris Paukert

Late last month, Toyota announced that it would begin its biggest recall action ever, summoning 3.8 million cars and trucks back to its dealers to combat "pedal entrapment" by cutting down the ...

Unintended Consequence of Technology: New LED traffic lights can't melt snow Michael Harley

Traffic lights using state-of-the-art LED illumination use 90 percent less electricity, offer a much longer service life and are more durable than their incandescent counterparts. Taking advantage of ...

VIDEO: Australian Transport Accident Commission celebrates 20 years of disturbing commercials Jonny Lieberman

Years ago when we were in drivers ed watching either Blood on the Highway or Red Asphalt -- the two gore-filled negative education films from the early 1970s that tried to scare us stright -- the ...

VIDEO: Thermahelm motorcycle helmet is swell. Err... not swell Jeremy Korzeniewski

We're sure this comes as a shock to nobody, but here we go anyway: brain swelling is bad. Very bad. That thick, hard skull surrounding your brain is great at providing a good deal of protection, ...

Consumer Reports: Over 40 percent of 'sudden acceleration' claims involve Toyota 14 days ago on Autoblog

We're guessing you've heard about Toyota's massive 3.8 million vehicle recall for unintended acceleration. It appears to be an issue that could have potentially resulted in several deaths and reports of hundreds of accidents. Consumer Reports wanted to dig deeper on the matter, studying National ...

NHTSA investigating claims of stalling on 2006 Toyota Corolla, Matrix 15 days ago on Autoblog

When it rains, it pours. With recalls on the books for Toyota floor mats and corrosion problems, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now investigating reports that Toyota's Corolla and Matrix vehicles may have engines susceptible to stalling. Owners of the 2006 model ...

REPORT: Prior driver of loaner Lexus in fatal crash told dealer of floormat issue 15 days ago on Autoblog

A few weeks ago, we learned that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ruled that the crash of a loaner Lexus ES350 that killed San Diego police officer Mark Saylor, his wife, 13-year-old daughter and brother in law was not just the result of an improper RX400h floor mat sticking ...

NewScientist investigates emerging road-heating technologies 15 days ago on Autoblog

Those not blessed with endless sun have to put up with road salt each and every winter, and it does a number on cars and roadways alike. There must be a better option, right? Enter Christiana Chang and her colleagues at the University of Houston in Texas. The researchers are developing ...

Ready, Set, Go! Clever stoplight concept counts down to green 19 days ago on Autoblog

We've got the stoplights in our neighborhood timed pretty well, but it's pretty painful when you're at a foreign intersection and have absolutely no idea when the light will turn green. We shift our vehicle into Neutral and give our left foot a break at a stoplight that we know is long, but at ...

REPORT: NHTSA proposing new side airbag standards expected to cost $54 per car 19 days ago on Autoblog

Naturally, safety is a top priority for both automakers and consumers alike. It's also of paramount concern to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, which is the government body that sets standards for automobile safety here in the States. According to The Detroit News, NHTSA ...

REPORT: Ford loses appeal in rollover case, must pay $55M 21 days ago on Autoblog

According to The Detroit News, the Supreme Court has let stand a ruling that Ford Motor Company is at fault for a 2002 rollover crash involving a 1997 Ford Explorer and the Dearborn, MI-based automaker must pay $55 million in punitive damages. Benetta Buell-Wilson's Explorer rolled over ...

REPORT: Toyota dealers caught off guard by pedal recall 22 days ago on Autoblog

Last week Toyota publicly announced that it was recalling 3.8 million Avalon, Camry and Lexus ES 350 models on account of fears over unintended acceleration. The fix for Toyota's sudden acceleration issue includes the reshaping and/or replacing of accelerator pedals, with replacement pedals ...

BREAKING: Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles to reshape and replace pedals 27 days ago on Autoblog

Toyota has announced that it will recall some 3.8 million cars and trucks to reshape and/or replace their accelerator pedals. The action is the result of fears that loose floormats may cause the accelerator pedal to stick, increasing the risk of an accident. The recall will be the largest in the ...

NHTSA opening probe into Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey transmission defect 28 days ago on Autoblog

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating hundreds of reports that 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans are fitted with defective transmissions that could dangerously fail without warning. Most alarming is that many of the transmissions ...

Toyota extends Tundra rust recall to include 2000-03 models, totalling 110,000 trucks 28 days ago on Autoblog

If you've been following the Toyota Tundra rust saga, you're aware that NHSTA recently requested data from Toyota about the purported frame corrosion affecting 2000 and 2001 models. Today, Toyota has extended that recall to include the 2002-03 model years, saying that a small number of trucks ...

Dodge recalling nearly 85k 2007 Nitro models over failing wiper concern 28 days ago on Autoblog

Roughly 85,000 2007 Dodge Nitros are being recalled for a windshield wiper issue. Use of the delay settings could lead to the wiper not working at all in any setting. The recall is expected to begin this month, and dealers will repair the wiper mechanism and software for free. For further ...

REPORT: Toyota forced to submit data on Tundra frame rust to NHTSA 29 days ago on Autoblog

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began a preliminary evaluation last month of rusting Tundra frames from the 2000 and 2001 model years. Around 200 complaints had been registered before the NHTSA commenced its investigation, with upwards of seventy more complaints coming ...

Jeep recalling over 161k 2007-2008 Wrangler AT models due to tranny temp. sensor absence 1 month ago on Autoblog

Owners of model year 2007-2008 Jeep Wranglers with automatic transmissions may have to visit their local dealers as Chrysler is recalling 161,450 of the SUVs over potential transmission overheating problems. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), Wrangler ...

REPORT: Toyota may 'shorten' gas pedals to fix unintended acceleration issue 1 month ago on Autoblog

The Toyota "unintended acceleration" issue has been a hot-button topic for nearly two months, with the Japanese automaker working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association to come up with a permanent solution to the growing problem. Toyota recently published a statement to ...

Pole Dance: NHTSA to add new side-impact crash test? [w/VIDEO] 1 month ago on Autoblog

Not satisfied with cars that manage crash forces well enough to avoid spilling your drink, and engines that run so clean they'll barely asphyxiate ants, a new crash test is reportedly coming in the works from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Along with the test will come new ...

2010 Top Safety Picks announced by IIHS, new roof strength rule shakes things up 1 month ago on Autoblog

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has once again announced the winners of its Top Safety Pick award – all 27 of them. This time out, 19 cars and eight SUVs made the all-important grade. To break it down a bit for you, Subaru is the only make to earn top marks in each of the ...

Mercedes-Benz and Hughes release app-based "mbrace" telematics for iPhone, Blackberry 1 month ago on Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Hughes Telematics to begin offering a new system that allows drivers to enable dozens of their vehicles features with their Apple iPhone or Blackberry. Dubbed "mbrace," the telematics setup covers everything from locking and unlocking doors to contacting roadside ...

Mitsubishi recalls nearly 30k 2008-2009 Lancer/Lancer EVO models over airbag sensors 1 month ago on Autoblog

Potential corrosion of the front impact airbag sensor has prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall up to 29,353 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution models. NHTSA is concerned that long-term exposure to a mixture of melted snow and salt thrown up by ...

VIDEO: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG crash-test video shows off exploding door hinges 1 month ago on Autoblog

It's a sad fact that incredibly expensive, highly desirable cars have to be smashed to bits in the name of safety, but we have to admit we quietly enjoy watching the carnage. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG had to endure its time with the crash barrier, and the video proves that the $200,000 supercar ...

REPORT: Michigan legislature pondering eco-friendly motoring tips in driving school 1 month ago on Autoblog

There's always a mouthful of teeth gnashing whenever lax US driver's ed standards are brought up. Yes, we need sixteen-year-olds on the road so they can get to their part time jobs at Taco Bell, but most are really lousy drivers. Or are they just uneducated drivers? Remember, even though 9 and 3 ...

REPORT: Toyota may offer to fix 4 million accelerator pedals 1 month ago on Autoblog

While Toyota maintains its position that recent accelerator issues have only to do with floor mats, the company has reportedly agreed to "make changes to gas pedals in certain U.S. models under an agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration." That means that 3.8 million ...

VIDEO: Low-flying pelican results in Bugatti Veyron Hydro Edition [*UPDATE: Now with actual crash footage!] 1 month ago on Autoblog

This is one of the saddest, yet most amusing sights we've ever seen. A $1.6 million Bugatti Veyron sitting in a salt water lagoon, door open, in two feet of nasty, corrosion-inducing muddy water. While the sight is sad, how the event allegedly transpired is downright hilarious. The unnamed owner ...

NHTSA to investigate 3 million 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee over gas tank fires? 1 month ago on Autoblog

The position of the plastic fuel tanks in 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees makes them potential fireballs, argues the Center for Auto Safety. The nonprofit organization says that the fuel tank's location makes the pre-2005 Grand Cherokees prone to catching on fire when involved in an accident. ...

REPORT: More than 25% of US bridges are "structurally deficient or functionally obsolete" 1 month ago on Autoblog

Here's some bad news for all of us: Over 150,000 bridges in the U.S. have been judged to be "structurally deficient or functionally obsolete." And get this, there are less than 598,000 bridges in America. That means 25.7% aren't in very good shape. It turns out that the state with the most ...

REPORT: NHTSA probe opened into Honda airbag recall timing 1 month ago on Autoblog

Over the last year, Honda has recalled roughly 444,000 vehicles to repair overpressurized airbag inflators in certain 2001-2002 Honda Accord, 2001 Civic and 2002-2003 Acura TL models. According to the automaker, there has been one death and multiple injuries stemming from the defect, which can ...

Class action suit filed against Toyota over sudden acceleration claims 1 month ago on Autoblog

Following a statement from the DOT and NHTSA asserting that the unintended acceleration issue potentially involving millions of Toyota vehicles is "not closed," McCuneWright, LLP, a law firm in Southern California, has filed a national class action lawsuit on behalf of all Toyota and Lexus ...

NHTSA study indicates hybrids have higher pedestrian crash rates 1 month ago on Autoblog

A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that hybrid vehicles are more likely to be involved in accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists under certain scenarios. According to state-level accident data, 77 of 8,387 hybrid vehicles (that's .9 percent) were ...

VIDEO: Mind the pole, please 1 month ago on Autoblog

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/comedy/Parking_Job_At_Its_Best'; Spending all day blogging from the comfort of our mothers' basements and/or top-secret Dr. No-style lairs, we sometimes forget that there's a world out there filled with people who engage in truly questionable things. And then we get ...

REPORT: Toyota execs deny cover-up after feds rebuke automaker over runaway car investigation 1 month ago on Autoblog

Remember Toyota's massive 3.8 million unit unintended acceleration recall that was attributed to pesky floor mats? It appears defective floor mats doesn't tell the whole story, as the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declared in a statement that ...

Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts [w/VIDEO] 1 month ago on Autoblog

They started out in our steering wheels before taking up residence across the dash. They then migrated to the side of our vehicles and grew to be full-sized curtains. Automakers seem to stick them everywhere, so where else can airbags go to protect our fleshy, organic bodies when metal meets ...

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Autoblog Podcast #157: 'Twas a couple nights before Christmas...

Chris, Editor Paukert, and Dan send the Podcast off for the Christmas holiday in proper fashion

 
 

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