NHTSA
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Writers at the respected Consumer Reports were enthusiastic fans of the Tesla Model S electric car they bought and drove for more than a year, using enthusiastic language rarely seen in its sober reviews. But as reliability data accumulated, the magazine also reported that the car appeared to have had numerous teething problems—usually rectified by Tesla's well-respected Service Centers. Yesterday, however, CR published a bracing editorial piece that castigates Tesla for its Autopilot driver-assistance software, saying it was "too much, too soon," and recommending that its automatic...
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Tesla Autopilot crash probe highlights NHTSA weakness in electronic systems
The Tesla Autopilot investigation will bring U.S. regulators into uncharted territory.
Stephen Edelstein -
NHTSA to investigate Tesla Model S Autopilot crash that killed driver: UPDATED
The NHTSA said it would open an investigation into a fatal May 7 crash in which a Tesla Model S running under Autopilot control hit a semi and passed under its trailer. The driver, later identified as 40-year-old Joshua Brown of Ohio, died at the scene of the Florida crash, which occurred after a...
John Voelcker -
Tesla Model S suspensions, NHTSA, NDAs: what you need to know (further update)
A post on a small auto-industry blog that accused startup carmaker Tesla Motors of concealing potentially hazardous suspension breakages blew up into a major media story—and has taken some unexpected twists and turns as it's played out so far. That's par for the course for much of the news...
John Voelcker -
2016 Toyota Prius hybrid gets good IIHS, NHTSA crash safety scores
The 2016 Toyota Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.
Stephen Edelstein -
NHTSA To Alter Vehicle Code To Prevent 3-Wheelers Like Elio
A proposed rule change could prevent Elio Motors from selling its three-wheeled car.
Stephen Edelstein -
Regulators will delay finalization of "quiet car" rules until next year.
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2016 Honda HR-V Small Crossover Utility Gets Highest Safety Scores
The 2016 Honda HR-V received a "5-Star Overall Vehicle Score" from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Stephen Edelstein -
BMW i3 REx Electric Car: 'Coding' Unlocks Features Owners Want (And May Void Warranty)
The BMW i3 REx model is an unusual beast, the sole example to date of a car built specifically to comply with California regulations that define it as a zero-emission electric car even though it has a range-extending engine. That's because its gasoline range (EPA-rated at 78 miles) is more or less...
John Voelcker -
Quiet-Car Noise Rules For Hybrid, Electric Cars To Be Finalized This Fall
Long-delayed rules for electric cars, hybrids, and other "quiet cars" will be finalized by November.
Stephen Edelstein -
Proposed 2021 Fuel Economy Rules For Heavy-Duty Trucks, Buses Released
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released proposed standards that would further boost the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty trucks and buses, starting in the 2021 model year and running through 2027. The new regulations were announced on Friday by Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and...
John Voelcker -
Aluminum-Body 2015 Ford F-150 Gets 5-Star NHTSA Rating For Crash Safety
Cutting weight can be one of the most effective tactics to increase fuel economy, but it doesn't necessarily come cheap. The 2015 Ford F-150 pickup, with its aluminum body and bed mounted on a conventional steel frame, represents a huge gamble by Ford on its highest-volume vehicle line. The company...
John Voelcker -
The EPA initially asked for higher truck fuel-economy than it actually wanted, a new book claims.
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Gas Mileage Rules For 2025 Could Be Lowered If Buyers Stick With SUVs
Thus far, automakers appear to have had little trouble meeting the corporate average fuel economy rules that started for 2012 vehicle and will rise steadily through 2025. The general consensus so far is that carmakers have been able to raise their EPA ratings with a combination of tactics that...
John Voelcker -
2015 Honda Fit Gets Highest Safety Rating From NHTSA
The 2015 Honda Fit earned a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA.
Stephen Edelstein -
Pedestrian-Alert Noises For Electric, Hybrid Cars Delayed By NHTSA, Again
A rule requiring pedestrian-alert noises for electric cars and hybrids is delayed until 2018.
Stephen Edelstein -
2015 Mitsubishi Mirage Minicar Scores Well On Federal Crash Tests
The 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage earned four- and five-star ratings in government crash tests.
Stephen Edelstein -
Quiet-Car Rules Must Be Delayed, Automakers Say: NHTSA Not Ready
The concern that very quiet hybrid and electric cars may pose a danger to unaware pedestrians has been around for a decade or more now. Back in 2010, Congress required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop rules for adding alert noises to cars running on silent electric...
John Voelcker -
The just-discontinued Acura ILX Hybrid is recalled for overheating headlamps.
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2014 Nissan Leaf Recall: If Welds Missing, Car Will Be Replaced
Nissan has announced the recall of a number of 2014 model year Leaf electric cars, regarding a front structural member assembly. According to the recall report, the front structural member on affected vehicles may be missing welds, affecting its structural integrity in a crash, in turn increasing...
Antony Ingram -
2013-2014 Ford C-Max Hybrid Recalled Over Airbag Software Issue
Ford is recalling 2013 and 2014 C-Max Hybrid models due to faulty airbag-control software.
Stephen Edelstein -
NHTSA Closes Probe Into Tesla Model S Fires: "Defect Not Identified"
It looks like Tesla Motors' brief firefight is now over. Not only has the company announced the fitment of new parts designed to deflect road debris, the cause of two fire incidents towards the end of 2013, but the NHTSA has now closed its probe into the fires--absolving the Model S of blame. Last...
Antony Ingram -
Obama Tells EPA To Set Next Heavy-Duty Truck Fuel-Efficiency Rule
The Obama Administration wants stricter truck fuel-economy rules to replace the current standards, which expire in 2018.
Stephen Edelstein -
Electric Car Risk: Different, Not Worse, Says Top NHTSA Regulator
NHTSA deputy administrator David Friedman says consumers aren't aware of the "new challenges" of electric cars.
Stephen Edelstein