investigations

Tesla Autopilot investigation closed by NHTSA, will continue to monitor
Stephen Edelstein January 20, 2017

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) closed its investigation into the fatal Florida crash last May of a Tesla using the company's Autopilot driver-assist system. The Model S in question collided with a tractor trailer that turned left in front of it, killing the driver, who was the electric car's sole occupant. At the time, Tesla said that "neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the ... trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied." SEE ALSO: NHTSA to investigate Tesla Model S Autopilot crash that killed driver: UPDATED (Jul 2016)...
Probe into Smart ForTwo engine fires started by NHTSA
The NHTSA is investigating eight reported engine fires in 2008 and 2009 Smart ForTwo city cars.
Stephen Edelstein December 27, 2016
VW diesel acts were likely criminal, U.S. finds; settlement talks underway
The proposed $15 billion settlement between Volkswagen and regulators over its emission-cheating diesel cars is winding toward final approval, but VW's miseries are far from over. U.S. attorneys have been investigating the company and its introduction of "defeat device" software to pass EPA...
John Voelcker August 16, 2016

VW Internal Diesel-Cheating Probe: So Far, 50 Employees Have Talked
Volkswagen offered amnesty to employees wiling to testify in an internal investigation.
Stephen Edelstein December 4, 2015
High-Speed Impact, Not Batteries, To Blame In BYD Electric Car Fire
The post-impact electric-car fire which led to the death of three people in Shenzhen, China earlier this year was not caused by the car’s battery pack, crash investigators have concluded. The tragedy happened in May, when a BYD e6 all-electric taxi was hit early one morning by a speeding...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield August 6, 2012
Today's Volt Update: GM Buyback, Owners Rally, Sales Goal Unmet
Phew. Yesterday was quite a day indeed in Chevy Volt land. A bevy of news items hit the wires, following Monday's offer of loaner cars to Volt owners who weren't comfortable with their cars' safety until the NHTSA finishes its investigation into battery-pack fires in cars that had been wrecked in...
John Voelcker December 2, 2011
More Volkswagen Diesel Woes: Feds Investigate 2011 Jetta TDI
John Voelcker August 8, 2011

Volkswagen's TDI diesel engines have long attracted fans and repeat buyers. But now a second investigation this year into the reliability of its TDI engines may cast a shadow over its newest fuel-efficient clean-diesel vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week launched an investigation into leaks between the fuel line and the engine fuel injectors on all-new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI sedan, as well as the carryover 2011 Jetta TDI SportWagen model. It will also likely extend to the 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI model, which uses the same engine, based on a complaint...