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.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions. But the recall, which came in an 11th-hour deal between the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, covers only 1.56 million of the 2.7 million Jeeps that…
The average medical claim from a motorcycle crash rose by more than one-fifth last year in Michigan after the state stopped requiring all riders to wear helmets, according to an insurance industry study. For more than 40 years, Michigan required all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. State legislators changed the law last year so that…
As concerns have intensified about driver distraction from electronic gadgets, automakers have increasingly introduced voice-activated systems that allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. But a new study says that the most advanced of these systems actually create a different, and worse, safety risk, by taking a driver’s…
U.S. auto safety investigators are investigating whether Honda Motor Co. should recall 320,000 minivans for air bag problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is opening a preliminary investigation into whether 320,000 2003-04 Honda Odyssey minivans should be recalled. NHTSA has received six consumer complaints on 2003-04 Honda Odyssey vehicles from owners alleging…
In an effort to provide more relevant and useful vehicle safety ratings for specific audiences, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing two new safety ratings geared toward older drivers and families. In a posting to its website, the NHTSA said it is considering updating the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and is…
As the summer driving season gets under way, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is again reminding all 15-passenger van users to take appropriate precautions to guard against the possibility of a tragic rollover crash. Recognizing that 15-passenger vans are particularly sensitive to loading, the agency warns users never to overload these vehicles under…
Behind a podium, near the steps of Capitol Hill, Florida resident Ellen Adams spoke about the day her life changed forever. On September 9, 2003, Ellen’s husband Matthew accidentally backed over their one-year-old daughter Ashleigh when she wandered behind his car as he backed out of the family driveway. Sadly, the tragedy wouldn’t end there…
When you head out to buy a new car, what is the first thing you consider? Price? Performance? For many consumers, when selecting a new car, safety is definitely a big concern but with high prices at the pumps holding steady over the last few years, gas mileage is by far at the top of…
Safety regulators in the U.S. are investigating whether to add more than a million General Motors midsize cars to a recall for brake light problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it’s checking into complaints about the 2004 to 2011 Chevrolet Malibu and the 2007 to 2009 Saturn Aura. The safety agency says the…
Federal auto safety regulators are counting what used to be considered multiple recalls as one, undercutting their boast that defect investigations are leading to record numbers of recalls. When asked about a big decline in recent public investigations, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief David Strickland told USA TODAY last week that the agency in…