AutoNation eases recall policy over Takata airbags; Vehicles will be released to auctions amid parts shortage

Source: Automotive News (April 25, 2016) – AutoNation is changing one of the key tenets of its policy not to sell any vehicle with an open recall. The retailer now will allow some recalled vehicles to go to wholesale auction if lack of replacement parts causes lengthy repair times. With a lack of replacement parts creating…

Toyota Recalls 320,000 Vehicles For Side Airbag Issue

Source: Automotive News / February 2, 2016 Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. today said it is recalling about 320,000 vehicles from the 2003-06 model years for an airbag-related defect. The recall affects the 2003-06 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2004-06 4Runner, 2005-06 Tundra, 2005-06 Sequoia, 2003-06 Lexus LX 470 and 2004-06 Lexus GX 470. The vehicles come with side airbags that deploy…

NHTSA Launches Safety Campaign

Source:  Tire Business / January 23, 2016 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a public awareness campaign aimed at improving consumer response to tire and vehicle safety recalls. The campaign—titled “Safe Cars Save Lives”—urges consumers to check for open recalls at least twice a year and to get their recalled vehicles fixed…

Senators Call for a Much Broader Recall of Defective Takata Airbags After a Recent Death

Source: New York Times / February 2, 2016 With millions of cars containing potentially defective airbags made by Takata still on the road, two senators on Tuesday urged the Obama administration to significantly expand the airbag recalls. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Edward Markey of Massachusetts, both Democrats, called on the Obama administration in a…