Car Safety
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A second IIHS headlight tests show that lights don't perform well regardless of technology or price.
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Toyota Prius, Plug-In, Lexus CT200h recalled for airbag issues, not Takata-related
Certain Toyota and Lexus hybrids are being recalled for airbag issues that are not Takata-related.
Stephen Edelstein -
Some small SUVs may stint front passengers on safety: IIHS
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that small crossovers don't provide equal protection to drivers and front passengers in small front overlap crash tests.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla can look at owners' driving behavior any time; is that legal?
It happens every so often: a driver claims that a car accelerated out of control just before it crashed into something or other. Only in the last 10 years have automakers had data to investigate the claims, usually from a "black box" that captures a car's most recent few seconds of operating...
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 -
Tesla refutes owner claims of Model X 'sudden acceleration' before crash
It started with a post two days ago on the owners' forum on the Tesla Motors website. In it, an owner with the user name "Puzant" claimed that a five-day-old Tesla Model X electric SUV had accelerated out of control while parking. Yesterday, Tesla denied that claim, and issued a statement saying...
John Voelcker -
Tesla Motors will recall 2,700 Model X electric crossover utility vehicles to replace seat backs in the third row after a recliner unexpectedly slipped during seat-strength tests. The vehicles in question were built prior to March 26, and are all located in the U.S. Tesla said in a letter e-mailed yesterday to owners that it discovered the recliner issue while conducting safety tests prior to starting Model X deliveries in Europe. DON'T MISS: Tesla Model S Recall Announced For Rear-Seat Latch Bracket (Jun 2013) The company will have its Service Centers replace the third-row seat backs, a task...
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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 -
Tesla Model S fire in Norway caused by short circuit in car
The topic of electric cars and fires is a fraught one, not helped by the recent spate of videos of cheap Chinese hoverboards in flames. Any fire in an electric car tends to make headlines, regardless of whether the facts have been established. Now we have the results of an investigation into the...
John Voelcker -
Nissan Leaf recall: brake software update for cold-weather use
Nissan is recalling 2013 through 2015 Leaf electric cars because of an issue that could affect cold-weather braking performance.
Stephen Edelstein -
2011-2015 VW Touareg Hybrid SUVs Recalled For Battery Tray Fix
Volkswagen is recalling a small number of Touareg Hybrid SUVs.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla Adds Safety Provisions To 'Summon' Self-Driving Feature
Tesla adds safety provisions to "Summon" in response to Consumer Reports' concerns.
Stephen Edelstein -
A spoof film is shot using only a Toyota Prius backup camera.
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All 90,000 Tesla Model S Electric Cars Recalled For Seat-Belt Check
The news emerged late last week: Tesla Motors is recalling all 90,000-plus Model S electric cars it's built to check that their seat belts were properly connected. The recall stemmed from the discovery in Europe two weeks ago of a single Tesla Model S with a "front seat belt that was not properly...
John Voelcker -
Honda Accord Hybrids Recalled For Software Fix
Honda Accord Hybrid sedans are recalled to address a software issue.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla Model X: The New Safest SUV?
The Tesla Motors [NSDQ: TSLA] Model X SUV has been revealed in production form; and while the packaging and performance of this new electric SUV are mostly as expected, there were plenty of surprises. One of the surprises was how well the trick double-hinged falcon doors are designed—with a...
Bengt Halvorson -
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 -
2015 Honda Fit Recall: Concern Over Potential Stalling
The 2015 Honda Fit is being recalled due to an issue that could cause stalling.
Stephen Edelstein -
The 2015 Toyota Prius C gets a higher IIHS crash-test rating after safety modifications.
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2015 Ford F-150 Aluminum-Body Pickup: Mixed IIHS Safety Scores
The 2015 Ford F-150 gets mixed results in IIHS crash testing, with higher repair costs.
Stephen Edelstein -
Ford C-Max Hybrids Recalled To Fix Engine Shut-Off Problem
Ford is recalling C-Max hybrids as part of a larger recall of more than 432,000 cars.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla To Launch Automated Passing Function, Timing Still Uncertain
Tesla will launch an automated passing function activated by turn signals.
Stephen Edelstein -
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 -
2015 Kia Soul EV Electric Car Recalled For Fragile Accelerator Pedal
The 2015 Kia Soul EV is being recalled for an accelerator pedal that could break when pushed hard.
Stephen Edelstein