WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) – February 11, 2018 – Takata Corp’s U.S. unit reached a settlement with its creditors, lawyers for those injured by its deadly air bags and automakers that smoothes the way to end its Chapter 11 bankruptcy and sell its viable operations, according to court papers. The Japanese company’s air bags can…
Every day developments in the area of product safety occur. Whether it be recalls, the launch of defect investigations by NHTSA, or national or regional news about advancements in automotive safety technologies, news and information in this area is constantly changing.
To assist consumers and attorneys, some of the more notable developments are noted herein for easy reference. If you have any questions about any of these topics or desire more information do not hesitate to call us.
Florida Driver Died Because of Faulty Air Bag, Report Says
Source: WRAL.com – January 17, 2018 – By TERRY SPENCER, Associated Press – FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida woman died because a faulty air bag ruptured and fired shrapnel into her head during a crash she should have survived, a report released Wednesday by the state’s Highway Patrol said. Nichol Barker, 34, of Holiday,…
Sixty Million Car Bombs: Inside Takata’s Air Bag Crisis
How The Company’s Failures Led To Lethal Products And The Biggest Auto Recall In History. Source: Bloomberg – June 2, 2016 – Carlos Solis was driving a familiar route, the few miles from his home to his brother’s apartment outside Houston, on a Sunday in January last year. His cousin sat beside him, and a…
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…
Used-Car Loophole For Recalls Tightens Up
Push For Change Builds On Several Fronts Source: Automotive News / February 8, 2016 The powerful auto dealer lobby won a key legislative battle in December when a ban on selling used vehicles with open safety recalls was left out of the highway bill President Barack Obama signed into law. But now the lobby and…
Honda Expands Recall of Takata Airbags as Its Longtime Partner’s Crisis Widens
Source: New York Times / February 3, 2016 In the latest sign that automakers are still struggling to understand the scope of the Takata airbag crisis, Honda Motor said on Wednesday that it would expand its recall by more than a third in North America. The latest action, for 2.23 million vehicles in the United States, reveals…
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…
U.S. Regulators Could Waive Some Safety Rules For Self-Driving Cars
Source: Reuters / January 14, 2016 The U.S. Transportation Department said on Thursday it may waive some vehicle safety rules to allow more driverless cars to operate on U.S. roads as part of a broader effort to speed up development of self-driving vehicles. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx unveiled the new policy guidance for self-driving vehicle testing…
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…