Car Safety
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Volkswagen has told dealerships across the country to halt the sale of some of its vehicles while it investigates transmission leaks. 2014 Volkswagen Passat, Jetta, Beetle and Beetle Convertible models built after February 1, with the 1.8-liter gasoline engine and automatic transmission are affected. According to The Boston Globe and The New York Times, the issue affects around 25,000 vehicles--around half of which are still sitting on dealer lots. The problem is caused by an O-ring linking the transmission fluid line to a cooler. This can potentially fail, and the leaking transmission fluid...
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Life With Tesla Model S: Battery Safety Shield In Detail (Photos)
When I first heard last week that Tesla was offering Model S owners a free retrofit that would install its new underbody shield and deflector plates, I called my local Tesla Motors service center almost immediately. It seemed like a no-brainer. The titanium shield and two aluminum deflector plates...
David Noland -
2014 Cadillac ELR Recalled For Stability-Control Software Issue
GM will recall 656 2014 Cadillac ELR coupes to fix a software glitch.
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 -
Tesla Model S To Get Titanium Battery Shield, Plus Deflectors: BREAKING
Tesla Motors announced this morning that it will fit three new underbody components to all Model S electric cars to add further protection against impacts from road debris, which caused a pair of fires in its cars last fall. Those two Model S cars were severely damaged when their battery packs...
John Voelcker -
Life With Tesla Model S: UPDATE On Pedal Placement Problem
Two days ago, I described in this article a frightening incident in my Tesla Model S. Approaching a downhill intersection, I inadvertently stepped on both the brake and accelerator pedals simultaneously. The car barely slowed, and it appeared I was headed for a collision with another car...
David Noland -
Nissan Leaf electric cars are being recalled to fix faulty airbag sensor software.
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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 -
Very Small Cars Fail New IIHS Small-Overlap Frontal Crash Test
Minicars are the worst-scoring group in the small-overlap frontal crash test, the IIHS says.
Stephen Edelstein -
2014 Chevy, GMC Pickups Recalled For Cylinder-Deactivation Issue
A software glitch could cause Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups to overheat.
Stephen Edelstein -
2014 Toyota Prius Safety Rating Lowered To Four Stars From Five
A change in Federal crash-test procedures downgraded the safety rating of Toyota's iconic hybrid.
Stephen Edelstein -
Tesla To Upgrade Electric-Car Wall Chargers For Further Fire Protection
Tesla will follow up a December software update with upgraded charger connectors to prevent overheating.
Stephen Edelstein -
Slightly more than 7,000 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sedans from the 2013 and 2014 model years are being recalled for a potential problem that could allow the car to be shifted into gear without the brake pedal being applied. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's SaferCar.gov lists a recall notice for 7,153 MKZ Hybrids assembled between April 2012 and September 2013. According to the notice, an error in the manufacturing process may affect the transmission's range sensor and cause it not to function properly. If that component malfunctions, the hybrid mid-size sedans could be shifted...
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How Tesla May Beef Up Its Model S Battery Protection System
Unless your name is Brinks, you rarely hear the words "armor" and "car" mentioned in the same sentence. But two recent widely-publicized fires in the Tesla Model S electric car have put the spotlight on how its battery pack is protected from severe impacts underneath the car. MORE: Tesla Fires...
David Noland -
Tesla's Elon Musk: Model S Fires Overhyped, Car Is Safe
Recent fires of Tesla Model S electric cars aren't worrying the company's CEO, Elon Musk--at least publicly. In a recent CNBC interview (via Forbes), the Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] founder said reports of the fires were little more than an overreaction by the press--and that Tesla's cars are still...
Antony Ingram -
Tesla Fires: What We Know, And What We Need To Find Out
There have now been three separate fires among roughly 20,000 Tesla Model S electric luxury sedans on the world's highways. The most recent one, two days ago, seems to have set off a fresh round of Internet fulmination--combined with much opining on what the news would do to the falling stock price...
John Voelcker -
Ford To Recall Focus Electrics For Potential Power Loss Issue
Ford has announced that it's to recall 2,600 Focus Electric models to rectify a fault that could lead to a loss of power while driving. According to The Detroit News, the fault is caused by a software flaw in the powertrain control module. This fault can result in a loss of power to the wheels...
Antony Ingram -
Toyota Prius V Loses 'Recommended' Rating From Consumer Reports
Receiving a 'Recommended' rating from the journalists at Consumer Reports isn't the only automotive accolade to aim for, but it's certainly one of the biggest. Losing that Recommended rating is therefore something to be avoided. It's also something the Toyota Prius V wagon has failed to avoid...
Antony Ingram -
The NHTSA said it will not formally investigate the fire that engulfed a Tesla Model S electric car in Washington state.
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Toyota Prius V Fails IIHS Automatic-Braking Safety Test, Owners Sue
The Toyota Prius V hybrid wagon's automatic braking system didn't meet IIHS standards, which has a group of owners feeling litigious.
Stephen Edelstein -
Owner Of Tesla Model S That Burned Still Loves Car, Will Buy Another
Tesla Motors is responding to media coverage of the first Model S fire with information and a testimonial from the car's owner.
Stephen Edelstein -
Ford C-Max Hybrids Recalled To Add Missing Door Chime
Ford will update vehicle software to add the federally-mandated door chime.
Stephen Edelstein -
First Tesla Model S Fire Caused By Collision With Road Debris
It had to happen sooner or later: a fire in a Tesla Model S. And indeed, as first covered by Jalopnik, Tuesday's fire in one example of the luxury electric sedan outside Seattle, Washington, generated a remarkable amount of media coverage. Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] issued a statement on the accident...
John Voelcker -
IIHS Unveils First Frontal-Crash Protection Ratings; 13 Of 74 High-Rated
The IIHS is now rating systems that autonomously intervene to help prevent crashes.
Stephen Edelstein