The Problem of Distracted Driving
• 80% of all collisions and 65% of near crashes have some form of driver inattention
as contributing factors. That is over 4,000,000 crashes per year in North
America that are caused by driver distraction.
• Cell phone use is attributed to 18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes.
What makes up the other 82%? Putting on lipstick, reaching over to grab a drink,
changing the music, reading a roadmap, eating on the go. The distractions are
endless. But they don’t have to be.
• Talking on a cell phone makes a driver 4 times more likely to have a crash or
near crash event. Texting makes them 23 times more likely to have this happen.
• Texting slows driver reaction time even more than alcohol!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
NHTSA Investigating Toyota, Honda, GM Vehicles for Safety Issues
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it is opening a preliminary investigation into the 2006-08 Toyota RAV4 over rust-related failure of rear tie rods.
The agency has also agreed to review consumer defect petitions claiming problems with the 2005 Honda Pilot and 2007-09 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
In opening the Toyota investigation, NHTSA said it had received seven complaints of failures for rear suspension arm assembly No.1, typically referred to as a rear "tie rod."
Four of the complaints said the failure occurred while driving at speeds of 35 mph or greater causing a temporary loss of vehicle control.
Pictures show the wheel adjacent to the failed component severely out of wheel alignment with respect to toe and camber.
Separately, NHTSA said it will review a petition requesting investigation of 2008 Saturn Outlook and similar vehicles for loss of low beam headlamp illumination.
The petitioner reported that the wiring harness inside the headlamp assembly of his 2008 Saturn Outlook had overheated and subsequently melted.
NHTSA has received 415 consumer complaints between April 2008 and May regarding this condition in the 2007-09 Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia.
NHTSA will review the petition and related field data to assess whether a safety defect investigation is warranted.
GM spokesman Alan Adler said the automaker began a Customer Satisfaction Program in December to provide free replacements and reimbursements for previous repairs for complaints of overheating headlamp bulb connectors in 2007-09 model year Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadias.
To date, more than 60 percent of 343,000 vehicles covered in the U.S. program have been repaired. Customers included in the program were notified by letter and have until Dec. 31, 2013, to have service performed free of charge.
NHTSA also said it was reviewing an April petition over alleged failures in stability control in 2005 Honda Pilot vehicles from an Arlington, Mass., woman.
The petitioner alleges that "in the malfunctioning of these systems, steering failures occur and the brakes apply involuntarily."
NHTSA has identified 35 reports, including the petitioner's complaint, that appear to be related to inappropriate stability control system activation in 2005 Honda Pilots.
One complaint said: "We had our 2-year-old and newborn in a car which screeched to an unexpected full stop in the middle of an intersection halfway through a turn."
Inappropriate stability control system activation is typically perceived by the driver as inappropriate autonomous brake application, resulting in unexpected vehicle deceleration, and may also include allegations of steering pull and/or lane departure.
The first incident was reported to NHTSA in 2006. Ten of the incidents have been reported in the last 12 months. NHTSA will decide whether it will open a formal investigation.
The agency has also agreed to review consumer defect petitions claiming problems with the 2005 Honda Pilot and 2007-09 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
In opening the Toyota investigation, NHTSA said it had received seven complaints of failures for rear suspension arm assembly No.1, typically referred to as a rear "tie rod."
Four of the complaints said the failure occurred while driving at speeds of 35 mph or greater causing a temporary loss of vehicle control.
Pictures show the wheel adjacent to the failed component severely out of wheel alignment with respect to toe and camber.
Separately, NHTSA said it will review a petition requesting investigation of 2008 Saturn Outlook and similar vehicles for loss of low beam headlamp illumination.
The petitioner reported that the wiring harness inside the headlamp assembly of his 2008 Saturn Outlook had overheated and subsequently melted.
NHTSA has received 415 consumer complaints between April 2008 and May regarding this condition in the 2007-09 Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia.
NHTSA will review the petition and related field data to assess whether a safety defect investigation is warranted.
GM spokesman Alan Adler said the automaker began a Customer Satisfaction Program in December to provide free replacements and reimbursements for previous repairs for complaints of overheating headlamp bulb connectors in 2007-09 model year Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadias.
To date, more than 60 percent of 343,000 vehicles covered in the U.S. program have been repaired. Customers included in the program were notified by letter and have until Dec. 31, 2013, to have service performed free of charge.
NHTSA also said it was reviewing an April petition over alleged failures in stability control in 2005 Honda Pilot vehicles from an Arlington, Mass., woman.
The petitioner alleges that "in the malfunctioning of these systems, steering failures occur and the brakes apply involuntarily."
NHTSA has identified 35 reports, including the petitioner's complaint, that appear to be related to inappropriate stability control system activation in 2005 Honda Pilots.
One complaint said: "We had our 2-year-old and newborn in a car which screeched to an unexpected full stop in the middle of an intersection halfway through a turn."
Inappropriate stability control system activation is typically perceived by the driver as inappropriate autonomous brake application, resulting in unexpected vehicle deceleration, and may also include allegations of steering pull and/or lane departure.
The first incident was reported to NHTSA in 2006. Ten of the incidents have been reported in the last 12 months. NHTSA will decide whether it will open a formal investigation.
Another Kia Recall, This for Faulty Brake Pedal in BorregoKia's
Another Kia Recall, This for Faulty Brake Pedal in BorregoKia's hit by another recall, this one for Borrego SUVs with fragile brake pedal mounts.
Yesterday, Kia announced a recall of 2006 through 2008 Rio subcompacts because front passenger air bags might deploy when they shouldn't. Here's the earlier post on that one.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the latest call-back is because a brake pedal mount in 21,912 of the 2009 Borregos, built May 2, 2008, through Jan. 20, 2009, isn't sturdy enough and could break in a crash.
That would leave the parking brake as the only way to keep the vehicle from continuing to roll or being involved in a second impact, NHTSA says.
Kia is to fix the problem free. The recall is campaign number SC096, and owners can contact Kia about it at 800-333-4542. NHTSA's hotline is 888-327-4236.
The Rio air bag recall is because a sensor in the front passenger's seat can malfunction and fail to keep the air bag from deploying if a child is sitting in that seat. Air bags can injure children because they can inflate too powerfully for child-size bodies. That's why many states have laws requiring kids to ride in back until a certain age.
Yesterday, Kia announced a recall of 2006 through 2008 Rio subcompacts because front passenger air bags might deploy when they shouldn't. Here's the earlier post on that one.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the latest call-back is because a brake pedal mount in 21,912 of the 2009 Borregos, built May 2, 2008, through Jan. 20, 2009, isn't sturdy enough and could break in a crash.
That would leave the parking brake as the only way to keep the vehicle from continuing to roll or being involved in a second impact, NHTSA says.
Kia is to fix the problem free. The recall is campaign number SC096, and owners can contact Kia about it at 800-333-4542. NHTSA's hotline is 888-327-4236.
The Rio air bag recall is because a sensor in the front passenger's seat can malfunction and fail to keep the air bag from deploying if a child is sitting in that seat. Air bags can injure children because they can inflate too powerfully for child-size bodies. That's why many states have laws requiring kids to ride in back until a certain age.
J&J to Stop Selling Pelvic Mesh Tied to Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson plans to stop selling surgical mesh implants used to treat women's health problems, which have been linked to injuries and triggered hundreds of lawsuits.
The company sent a letter Monday to judges in New Jersey and West Virginia who are overseeing patient lawsuits against the company. J&J said it plans to phase out four mesh products over the next three to nine months.
The plastic mesh is used to strengthen the pelvic wall in cases of pelvic organ prolapse, in which the bladder or other reproductive organs slip down into the vagina. About 75,000 women had prolapse surgery with mesh inserted through the vagina last year. A similar procedure using an incision in the abdomen is less common.
J&J said the mesh products are safe and that it is not recalling them.
"Our decision to discontinue these products is based on their commercial viability in light of changing market dynamics, and is not related to safety or efficacy," the New Brunswick, N.J., company said in a statement.
But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported last year that the implants were associated with higher rates of pain, bleeding and infection than traditional surgery with stitches. The agency said 10% of women experienced erosion or exposure of the mesh within 12 months of having the mesh implanted. More than half of these women required follow-up surgery to remove the mesh. Some required three surgeries.
At the same time, the FDA said it saw no evidence that using mesh led to better outcomes than traditional surgery with stitches.
In January, the FDA ordered J&J and five other companies to conduct rigorous studies to track the complication rates with their products over time. J&J said in its letter it expects the FDA to waive that requirement once it phases out the products.
Consumer safety advocates hailed the announcement as a victory.
"These companies know they will never be able to prove safety and efficacy of these devices in the studies mandated by the FDA in January of this year," said Lana Keeton, a Miami resident who has undergone 17 surgeries to remove mesh that was implanted in 2001. Keeton's group, Truth in Medicine, has lobbied the FDA on the risks of mesh in recent years.
The company sent a letter Monday to judges in New Jersey and West Virginia who are overseeing patient lawsuits against the company. J&J said it plans to phase out four mesh products over the next three to nine months.
The plastic mesh is used to strengthen the pelvic wall in cases of pelvic organ prolapse, in which the bladder or other reproductive organs slip down into the vagina. About 75,000 women had prolapse surgery with mesh inserted through the vagina last year. A similar procedure using an incision in the abdomen is less common.
J&J said the mesh products are safe and that it is not recalling them.
"Our decision to discontinue these products is based on their commercial viability in light of changing market dynamics, and is not related to safety or efficacy," the New Brunswick, N.J., company said in a statement.
But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported last year that the implants were associated with higher rates of pain, bleeding and infection than traditional surgery with stitches. The agency said 10% of women experienced erosion or exposure of the mesh within 12 months of having the mesh implanted. More than half of these women required follow-up surgery to remove the mesh. Some required three surgeries.
At the same time, the FDA said it saw no evidence that using mesh led to better outcomes than traditional surgery with stitches.
In January, the FDA ordered J&J and five other companies to conduct rigorous studies to track the complication rates with their products over time. J&J said in its letter it expects the FDA to waive that requirement once it phases out the products.
Consumer safety advocates hailed the announcement as a victory.
"These companies know they will never be able to prove safety and efficacy of these devices in the studies mandated by the FDA in January of this year," said Lana Keeton, a Miami resident who has undergone 17 surgeries to remove mesh that was implanted in 2001. Keeton's group, Truth in Medicine, has lobbied the FDA on the risks of mesh in recent years.
Jeep Cherokee Fire Investigation Growing
ABC World News (6/17, story 9, 2:05, Muir) reported, "troubling news, safety questions this evening, about some of the most popular SUVs on American roads," the Jeep Grand Cherokee. "The investigation is now growing into whether some Jeeps run a greater risk of catching on fire if the gas tank is hit." ABC (Schriffen) added that the government is investigating Grand Cherokee models made between 1993 and 2004, Cherokees made between 1993 to 2001, and Liberty models made between 2002 to 2007. "Clarence Ditlow, Center for Auto Safety" said, "We have 3.5 million Jeep Grand Cherokees, Cherokees and Liberties, driving around with defective fuel systems that, if hit in the rear, can result in a fuel leak and a catastrophic fire." Schriffen reported that government statistics claim that up to 15 people have been fatally burned to death because of the manufacturing flaw.
Toyotoa Vehicles Investigated for Fire Hazards
Federal safety investigators have upgraded and expanded an investigation into 1.42 million Toyota vehicles for door fires sparked by power window switches.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a notice posted Monday on its website that it was adding 600,000 Toyota Camrys and some other vehicles to the investigation it opened in February.
The issue is linked to 161 incidents, including nine injuries. No deaths have been reported. NHTSA says it is upgrading its investigation to an engineering analysis from a preliminary review.
The investigation now covers the 2007-09 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Yaris and all Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The vehicles under investigation were built between September 2006 and August 2008.
NHTSA says some Toyota vehicles have a higher rate of fire and overheating among all Toyota vehicles that use the same power window master switch design. Fires or smoke can originate in the power window master switch assembly in the driver door armrest.
Toyota says after an intensive investigation, it believes the issue is extremely rare and may be the result of lubricants used to repair the switches, rather than a manufacturing issue. In any event, Toyota says the issue does not represent a safety concern.
Toyota says all of the injuries were minor, "reportedly limited to the occupant's left hand and resulted in redness of the skin; the most severe injury claimed was a blister to the index finger of the left hand."
In 2009, Toyota recalled power window master switches in various Toyota vehicles sold in China and Japan, including 2007 Camry vehicles sold in China. The recalls were because the switches can short-circuit, which can lead to overheating and melting of the component. But Toyota said the switches were not identical — nor was the manufacturing process — to the ones sold in the U.S.
In the wake of its recall of more than 10 million vehicles for sudden unintended acceleration, Toyota agreed in 2010 to pay nearly $50 million in fines to the U.S. government.
Toyota paid $16 million in failing to recall vehicles in the U.S. In 2004, Toyota conducted a recall in Japan for Hilux trucks with steering relay rods prone to fatigue cracking and breaking, causing the vehicle to lose steering control.
At that time, Toyota informed NHTSA that the safety defect was isolated to vehicles in Japan and that the company had not received similar U.S. reports.
In 2005, however, Toyota informed NHTSA that the steering relay rod defect was present in several models sold in the United States and conducted a recall for nearly one million vehicles. NHTSA said it learned later that Toyota had received reports of issues in the U.S. as early as 2004.
NHTSA is taking a broad look at door fires.
NHTSA said Friday it upgraded an investigation into more than 340,000 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUVs over electrical fires sparked in driver doors.
NHTSA said it has reports of 28 door fires linked to the problem.
Some of the fires allegedly happened when the vehicle was not running and unattended. NHTSA said.
NHTSA said GM has received 167 reports and 698 warranty claims that allege the driver door module has melted and burned. NHTSA has received 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative.
In a letter to NHTSA, GM said the predominant warranty issues were inoperative switches rather than a fire. GM says the power windows, door locks, window lockouts and optional heated switches may begin to function erratically and then become inoperative because of a short circuit.
In some cases, the driver-side switch plastic could continue to heat and smoke may be produced, GM acknowledged.
"In exceptionally rare circumstances, heating could continue until the plastic ignites," GM said in an April 20 letter to NHTSA.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a notice posted Monday on its website that it was adding 600,000 Toyota Camrys and some other vehicles to the investigation it opened in February.
The issue is linked to 161 incidents, including nine injuries. No deaths have been reported. NHTSA says it is upgrading its investigation to an engineering analysis from a preliminary review.
The investigation now covers the 2007-09 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Yaris and all Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The vehicles under investigation were built between September 2006 and August 2008.
NHTSA says some Toyota vehicles have a higher rate of fire and overheating among all Toyota vehicles that use the same power window master switch design. Fires or smoke can originate in the power window master switch assembly in the driver door armrest.
Toyota says after an intensive investigation, it believes the issue is extremely rare and may be the result of lubricants used to repair the switches, rather than a manufacturing issue. In any event, Toyota says the issue does not represent a safety concern.
Toyota says all of the injuries were minor, "reportedly limited to the occupant's left hand and resulted in redness of the skin; the most severe injury claimed was a blister to the index finger of the left hand."
In 2009, Toyota recalled power window master switches in various Toyota vehicles sold in China and Japan, including 2007 Camry vehicles sold in China. The recalls were because the switches can short-circuit, which can lead to overheating and melting of the component. But Toyota said the switches were not identical — nor was the manufacturing process — to the ones sold in the U.S.
In the wake of its recall of more than 10 million vehicles for sudden unintended acceleration, Toyota agreed in 2010 to pay nearly $50 million in fines to the U.S. government.
Toyota paid $16 million in failing to recall vehicles in the U.S. In 2004, Toyota conducted a recall in Japan for Hilux trucks with steering relay rods prone to fatigue cracking and breaking, causing the vehicle to lose steering control.
At that time, Toyota informed NHTSA that the safety defect was isolated to vehicles in Japan and that the company had not received similar U.S. reports.
In 2005, however, Toyota informed NHTSA that the steering relay rod defect was present in several models sold in the United States and conducted a recall for nearly one million vehicles. NHTSA said it learned later that Toyota had received reports of issues in the U.S. as early as 2004.
NHTSA is taking a broad look at door fires.
NHTSA said Friday it upgraded an investigation into more than 340,000 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUVs over electrical fires sparked in driver doors.
NHTSA said it has reports of 28 door fires linked to the problem.
Some of the fires allegedly happened when the vehicle was not running and unattended. NHTSA said.
NHTSA said GM has received 167 reports and 698 warranty claims that allege the driver door module has melted and burned. NHTSA has received 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative.
In a letter to NHTSA, GM said the predominant warranty issues were inoperative switches rather than a fire. GM says the power windows, door locks, window lockouts and optional heated switches may begin to function erratically and then become inoperative because of a short circuit.
In some cases, the driver-side switch plastic could continue to heat and smoke may be produced, GM acknowledged.
"In exceptionally rare circumstances, heating could continue until the plastic ignites," GM said in an April 20 letter to NHTSA.
Chevrolet Trailblazers Investigated for Electrical Fires
Automaker's letter details issues with power master switch
GM’s line of SUVs is being checked for fire-related issues. (GMC)
Federal investigators are upgrading an investigation into more than 340,000 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUVs over electrical fires sparked in driver doors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it is upgrading its investigation into the General Motors Co. vehicles over the driver's-side power master switch. NHTSA has reports of 28 door fires linked to the problem.
Some of the fires allegedly happened when the vehicle was not running and unattended. NHTSA said, "The vehicle models and production dates of affected vehicles will be evaluated," and it will also look at other GM vehicles from the same GMT 360 mid-size SUV platform, including the GMC Envoy.
GM said it was cooperating and is looking at the Trailblazer's sister models.
"We are looking at 2006-2007 Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainer, Saab 9-7x and Isuzu Ascender — all of the versions of the GMT360 for the 2006-07 model years," GM spokesman Alan Adler said Friday.
NHTSA said GM has received 167 reports and 698 warranty claims that allege the driver's-door module has melted and burned.
NHTSA has received 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative.
In a letter to NHTSA, GM said the predominant warranty issues were inoperative switches rather than a fire. GM says the power windows, door locks, window lockouts and optional heated switches may begin to function erratically and then become inoperative because of a short circuit.
In some cases, the driver's-side switch plastic could continue to heat and smoke may be produced, GM acknowledged.
"In exceptionally rare circumstances, heating could continue until the plastic ignites," GM said in an April 20 letter to NHTSA.
GM’s line of SUVs is being checked for fire-related issues. (GMC)
Federal investigators are upgrading an investigation into more than 340,000 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUVs over electrical fires sparked in driver doors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it is upgrading its investigation into the General Motors Co. vehicles over the driver's-side power master switch. NHTSA has reports of 28 door fires linked to the problem.
Some of the fires allegedly happened when the vehicle was not running and unattended. NHTSA said, "The vehicle models and production dates of affected vehicles will be evaluated," and it will also look at other GM vehicles from the same GMT 360 mid-size SUV platform, including the GMC Envoy.
GM said it was cooperating and is looking at the Trailblazer's sister models.
"We are looking at 2006-2007 Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainer, Saab 9-7x and Isuzu Ascender — all of the versions of the GMT360 for the 2006-07 model years," GM spokesman Alan Adler said Friday.
NHTSA said GM has received 167 reports and 698 warranty claims that allege the driver's-door module has melted and burned.
NHTSA has received 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative.
In a letter to NHTSA, GM said the predominant warranty issues were inoperative switches rather than a fire. GM says the power windows, door locks, window lockouts and optional heated switches may begin to function erratically and then become inoperative because of a short circuit.
In some cases, the driver's-side switch plastic could continue to heat and smoke may be produced, GM acknowledged.
"In exceptionally rare circumstances, heating could continue until the plastic ignites," GM said in an April 20 letter to NHTSA.
Jeep Cherokee Fuel Tank Fires
Federal safety investigators are expanding a government probe into whether fuel tanks in 5.1 million Chrysler SUVs pose a serious fire risk.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation — opened in August 2010 to look at 3 million 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees — has been expanded to cover more than 5 million vehicles, including the 1993-2001 Jeep Cherokee and 2002-07 Jeep Liberty.
In its notice, NHTSA also said it was upgrading its preliminary investigation to an engineering analysis. At the conclusion of its analysis, the agency can demand an automaker recall unsafe vehicles or close it without taking any action.
The investigation covers a total of 5.1 million vehicles. NHTSA said in a postiing on its website early this morning that it has reports of 15 deaths and 41 injuries from rear impact crashes linked to fuel tanks.
NHTSA says its analysis that has compared non-Chrysler models shows "a higher incidence of rear-impact, fatal fire crashes for the Jeep products." NHTSA said its investigation has focused on the fact that "the fuel tank is located at the rear of the vehicle, between the bumper and axle, and is manufactured from a plastic material."
David Dillon, Chrysler's head of product investigations and campaigns, said in an interview Wednesday that the company believes its SUVs do not pose a higher risk of fire than its competitors. The company says they are "neither defective nor do their fuel systems pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety."
Dillon said Chrysler's investigation shows that the gas tank placement is not a safety issue. "Those vehicles essentially are performing the same as their peers," Dillon said, acknowledging that the "Grand Cherokee may have more of these events than their competitors."
Placement of fuel tank at issue
NHTSA opened its initial investigation in response to a petition filed by the Center for Auto Safety in October 2009.
The center contends the plastic fuel tank's placement, behind the rear axle and below the rear bumper, makes it more prone to rupture or leak when hit from behind — or in the case of rollover crashes, when it hits other objects. Chrysler moved the gas tank inside the frame starting in the 2005 model year.
Dillon said the company increased the vehicles' wheelbase and moved the spare tire. As a result, it moved the gas tank between the axles, but no safety issue led to the change, Dillon said.
"We're quite confident that once NHTSA takes the opportunity to complete a more thorough statistical analysis — the Grand Cherokee and the other vehicles — the data will prove that these vehicles are no more likely to experience this condition than their peer vehicles," Dillon said.
Chrysler reviewed 21,000 rear impacts in its vehicles and their peers, and found no increased safety risk.
The number of fatal vehicle fires in 1993-2004 Grand Cherokees is about four times higher than for SUVs made by other companies, the Center for Auto Safety alleged. Grand Cherokees in those model years have a fatal fire rate six times that of newer models, the petition claimed.
During its 22-month investigation, NHTSA compared Chrysler fire claims to SUVs built by General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., and Toyota Motor Corp.
The center cited government records showing 185 fatal fire crashes with 254 fatalities involving the Jeep Grand Cherokee from calendar years 1992 through 2008.
Dillon said that figure "is all fatal fire accidents," not specific to the rear impacts or the fuel tanks.
The key issue that NHTSA must determine is whether the fires caused by high-speed rear impacts are a function of a bad design, or whether the crashes would have caused fires no matter where the gas tank was located.
Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, has publicly called on Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne to recall the Grand Cherokees, asserting that they have "claimed far more lives than the infamous Ford Pinto."
In a November 2011 letter, Ditlow pointed to recent fires in Grand Cherokees and urged Chrysler to act.
"The tragic question is how many more fatal fire crashes will it take before Chrysler recalls this Pinto for soccer moms," he wrote. "How many more people will be killed and tragically burned in Grand Cherokee fire crashes before Chrysler agrees to a recall?"
Chrysler responded last September with a letter from Dillon.
"The vehicles' fuel-system performance has been closely monitored in the field over the past 19 years with over 300 billion miles driven by these vehicles," Dillon wrote. "Rear impacts resulting in fire are extremely rare."
Chrysler attributes the deaths to very high-speed collisions and not to a "design or manufacturing defect in the fuel system."
The center said fire was listed as the predominant factor or "most harmful event" in at least 64 total fatalities since 1992, in Jeeps and other vehicles.
The Consumers Union and safety advocate Ralph Nader founded the Center for Auto Safety in 1970 "to provide consumers a voice for auto safety and quality in Washington and to help lemon owners fight back across the country."
The 69-page petition the group filed in 2009 said "the design is so bad that Chrysler frequently settles lawsuits without extensive discovery and subject to confidentiality agreements."
Chrysler didn't dispute it settles some lawsuits with confidential settlements, but said there was nothing improper about that.
The center cited four accidents in Michigan involving six deaths stemming from fires in Jeep Grand Cherokee crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation — opened in August 2010 to look at 3 million 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees — has been expanded to cover more than 5 million vehicles, including the 1993-2001 Jeep Cherokee and 2002-07 Jeep Liberty.
In its notice, NHTSA also said it was upgrading its preliminary investigation to an engineering analysis. At the conclusion of its analysis, the agency can demand an automaker recall unsafe vehicles or close it without taking any action.
The investigation covers a total of 5.1 million vehicles. NHTSA said in a postiing on its website early this morning that it has reports of 15 deaths and 41 injuries from rear impact crashes linked to fuel tanks.
NHTSA says its analysis that has compared non-Chrysler models shows "a higher incidence of rear-impact, fatal fire crashes for the Jeep products." NHTSA said its investigation has focused on the fact that "the fuel tank is located at the rear of the vehicle, between the bumper and axle, and is manufactured from a plastic material."
David Dillon, Chrysler's head of product investigations and campaigns, said in an interview Wednesday that the company believes its SUVs do not pose a higher risk of fire than its competitors. The company says they are "neither defective nor do their fuel systems pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety."
Dillon said Chrysler's investigation shows that the gas tank placement is not a safety issue. "Those vehicles essentially are performing the same as their peers," Dillon said, acknowledging that the "Grand Cherokee may have more of these events than their competitors."
Placement of fuel tank at issue
NHTSA opened its initial investigation in response to a petition filed by the Center for Auto Safety in October 2009.
The center contends the plastic fuel tank's placement, behind the rear axle and below the rear bumper, makes it more prone to rupture or leak when hit from behind — or in the case of rollover crashes, when it hits other objects. Chrysler moved the gas tank inside the frame starting in the 2005 model year.
Dillon said the company increased the vehicles' wheelbase and moved the spare tire. As a result, it moved the gas tank between the axles, but no safety issue led to the change, Dillon said.
"We're quite confident that once NHTSA takes the opportunity to complete a more thorough statistical analysis — the Grand Cherokee and the other vehicles — the data will prove that these vehicles are no more likely to experience this condition than their peer vehicles," Dillon said.
Chrysler reviewed 21,000 rear impacts in its vehicles and their peers, and found no increased safety risk.
The number of fatal vehicle fires in 1993-2004 Grand Cherokees is about four times higher than for SUVs made by other companies, the Center for Auto Safety alleged. Grand Cherokees in those model years have a fatal fire rate six times that of newer models, the petition claimed.
During its 22-month investigation, NHTSA compared Chrysler fire claims to SUVs built by General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., and Toyota Motor Corp.
The center cited government records showing 185 fatal fire crashes with 254 fatalities involving the Jeep Grand Cherokee from calendar years 1992 through 2008.
Dillon said that figure "is all fatal fire accidents," not specific to the rear impacts or the fuel tanks.
The key issue that NHTSA must determine is whether the fires caused by high-speed rear impacts are a function of a bad design, or whether the crashes would have caused fires no matter where the gas tank was located.
Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, has publicly called on Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne to recall the Grand Cherokees, asserting that they have "claimed far more lives than the infamous Ford Pinto."
In a November 2011 letter, Ditlow pointed to recent fires in Grand Cherokees and urged Chrysler to act.
"The tragic question is how many more fatal fire crashes will it take before Chrysler recalls this Pinto for soccer moms," he wrote. "How many more people will be killed and tragically burned in Grand Cherokee fire crashes before Chrysler agrees to a recall?"
Chrysler responded last September with a letter from Dillon.
"The vehicles' fuel-system performance has been closely monitored in the field over the past 19 years with over 300 billion miles driven by these vehicles," Dillon wrote. "Rear impacts resulting in fire are extremely rare."
Chrysler attributes the deaths to very high-speed collisions and not to a "design or manufacturing defect in the fuel system."
The center said fire was listed as the predominant factor or "most harmful event" in at least 64 total fatalities since 1992, in Jeeps and other vehicles.
The Consumers Union and safety advocate Ralph Nader founded the Center for Auto Safety in 1970 "to provide consumers a voice for auto safety and quality in Washington and to help lemon owners fight back across the country."
The 69-page petition the group filed in 2009 said "the design is so bad that Chrysler frequently settles lawsuits without extensive discovery and subject to confidentiality agreements."
Chrysler didn't dispute it settles some lawsuits with confidential settlements, but said there was nothing improper about that.
The center cited four accidents in Michigan involving six deaths stemming from fires in Jeep Grand Cherokee crashes.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Jeep Liberty Recall
Chrysler expands Jeep Liberty recall.
USA Today (6/12, Woodyard) reported, "Chrysler has added more than 137,000 Jeep Liberty SUVs to a March safety recall, bringing the total number of vehicles affected to nearly 347,000." According to the article, "The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said lower-control arms in the rear suspension can rust and break, possibly causing the vehicles to crash." The company, however, says "it knows of no crashes or injuries from the problem." The recall affects vehicles used in states where salt is used on roads to remove snow and ice.
USA Today (6/12, Woodyard) reported, "Chrysler has added more than 137,000 Jeep Liberty SUVs to a March safety recall, bringing the total number of vehicles affected to nearly 347,000." According to the article, "The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said lower-control arms in the rear suspension can rust and break, possibly causing the vehicles to crash." The company, however, says "it knows of no crashes or injuries from the problem." The recall affects vehicles used in states where salt is used on roads to remove snow and ice.
Friday, June 8, 2012
USED CAR BUYERS SHOULD HEED RECALLS
View web sites, call dealers to check up on vehicles’ safety. Unfixed issues can go undisclosed by sellers. Used vehicles with open recalls, can pose safety risks to both auto buyers and motorists with whom they share the road.
Repairing recalled parts is essential to the performance, safety and resale value of used vehicles. But about 2.7 million used vehicles across the country that were placed for sale on the Internet in 2011 had open recalls, according to a study by Carfax, a Virginia-based company that provides vehicle-history data.
Many sellers do not divulge that their vehicles require repairs, and many buyers do not know their purchases have defects. Auto experts said consumers should do their homework whenever they buy a used vehicle to determine whether it needs repairs at a dealer.
Owners can research recalls online at websites such as carfax.com and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s site, nhtsa.gov.
Repairing recalled parts is essential to the performance, safety and resale value of used vehicles. But about 2.7 million used vehicles across the country that were placed for sale on the Internet in 2011 had open recalls, according to a study by Carfax, a Virginia-based company that provides vehicle-history data.
Many sellers do not divulge that their vehicles require repairs, and many buyers do not know their purchases have defects. Auto experts said consumers should do their homework whenever they buy a used vehicle to determine whether it needs repairs at a dealer.
Owners can research recalls online at websites such as carfax.com and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s site, nhtsa.gov.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Kia Rio Airbag Recall
Air bag sensor problem causes Kia to recall nearly 73,000 vehicles.
The AP (6/6) reports, "Kia Motors America is recalling nearly 73,000 Rio small cars to fix a problem with the front-passenger air bag." The AP reports that the "sensor inside the front passenger seat can crack and fail to detect whether a child is sitting in the seat," which, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, could result in the air bag inflating in a crash and hurting the child. The AP adds that this "recall affects cars from the 2006 to 2008 model years." Also reporting this is Reuters (6/6, Klayman).
The AP (6/6) reports, "Kia Motors America is recalling nearly 73,000 Rio small cars to fix a problem with the front-passenger air bag." The AP reports that the "sensor inside the front passenger seat can crack and fail to detect whether a child is sitting in the seat," which, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, could result in the air bag inflating in a crash and hurting the child. The AP adds that this "recall affects cars from the 2006 to 2008 model years." Also reporting this is Reuters (6/6, Klayman).
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