Fiat Chrysler issues recall for 51,000 Jeep Cherokees.

The Detroit (MI) Free Press (5/21, 1.1M) reports Fiat Chrysler Automobiles issued a recall for 51,000 Jeep Cherokees because of an increased risk of a fire due to potential fuel leaks. A company statement said an investigation into the matter “discovered a batch of fuel-supply tubes may have connectors that were incorrectly fitted. If so, they may leak, creating a potential fire risk.” The Free Press reports that Fiat Chrysler said it is not aware of any injuries or accidents caused by the issue.

        Cars (5/21, 931K) also reports.

Testing Automated Vehicles on the Public

Mr. Bunkley makes an excellent point about protecting the public in is blog:

Nick Bunkley wrote a blog this week about the danger that comes with testing new technology in the real world:

"Autopilot, like many similar features being developed by other automakers, has great potential. But there's a reason that other automakers don't roll out such technology without the kind of lengthy, exhaustive testing that Tesla is apparently counting on the general public to conduct. ...

"Vehicles have to be designed not only to protect their occupants, but so they don't pose an undue hazard to others on the road

Continuing coverage: Investigators, experts comment on e-cigarette safety after explosion kills Florida man.

Reuters (5/17, Szekely) reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has “taken an interest in the case” of Tallmadge D’Elia, a Florida man who died on May 5 when his vape mod exploded, according to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue spokesman Lieutenant Steve Lawrence. He said by telephone on Thursday that the device’s battery was the most likely cause of the fire. He added, “We feel that the battery had the potential energy to basically turn the vape mod into a missile, and it penetrated the victim’s cranial cavity.”

        The Tampa Bay (FL) Times (5/17, Spata, 790K) reports Michael Felberbaum, a spokesman for the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products “said it had identified 274 incidents of e-cigarettes overheating, causing fires or exploding between 2009 and 2017,” but these incidents are “under-reported, and they’re currently soliciting such reports at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov.” Larry McKenna, a fire protection engineer for the U.S. Fire Administration, was paraphrased as saying this month’s death is “a rarity.” He said that when a lithium ion battery in an e-cigarette ignites, it is forced out like “a bullet, or ‘flaming rocket.’” Greg Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, said, “It’s very safe overall when you consider that millions of people use these devices. The few issues you see are when people use mech mods, unregulated devices that don’t have safety features. And in this tragic case, it appears that’s the type of device that was being used.”

Information retrieved from Tesla Model S in Utah crash confirms car was in autopilot mode.

USA Today (5/16, della Cava, 9.97M) reports that according to police, information retrieved by Tesla engineers from a Tesla Model S that crashed in Utah last week corroborates the account the driver gave to investigators that the car was in Autopilot mode. According to USA Today, the driver also told investigators said that she was distracted by her phone. USA Today says that the May 11 accident is a “textbook case of distracted driving exacerbated by technology that, despite providing visual and audio warnings to drivers, is easy for humans to abuse.”

More than two dozen people died from keyless ignitions since 2006.

The New York Post (5/14, Eustachewich, 4.39M) reports that a new report found that 28 people were killed and 45 were injured by carbon monoxide from keyless cars. In all of the cases, “drivers unintentionally filled their homes with toxic fumes by leaving their cars on inside attached garages.” The article notes that while keyless ignitions are standard in over half of the new cars sold in the US, “there are no federal regulations on automatic engine shutoffs or beeping sounds to warn drivers the car is still running.” The article adds that NHTSA “failed three times to adopt regulations that would require car manufacturers to install external and internal warning beeps.”

Tesla driver says vehicle was in autopilot mode when it crashed into Utah fire truck.

The AP (5/14, Hattem) report that a Tesla vehicle was in Autopilot mode when it crashed into the back of a fire truck in Salt Lake City over the weekend. The driver told police that the Autopilot system was on and that she was looking at her phone prior to the crash. A Tesla spokesperson did not comment on the disclosure. Meanwhile, on Twitter, Tesla co-founder Elon Musk said it was “super messed up” that the incident was received public attention, while thousands of accidents involving traditional vehicles “get almost no coverage.” NTSB said it has not yet launched an investigation of the crash but it may decide to do so. The article mentions that NTSB and NHTSA are already looking into Tesla’s Autopilot system and its role in a fatal crash on a California highway in March.

Auto makers fail to meet NHTSA deadline on Takata repairs.

The Wall Street Journal (5/14, Spector, Subscription Publication, 6.17M) reports National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Heidi King sent a letter on Monday to 12 major auto makers stating that the agency is “concerned that certain higher-risk vehicles with defective Takata air bags remain unrepaired” despite NHTSA imposing a December 2017 deadline to have the “highest-priority vehicles” repaired. King requested the auto makers to provide details and a timeline on how they plan to repair the affected vehicles. The Journal reports that auto makers have fixed about 23 million of the 39 million vehicles recalled, but some car manufacturers have expressed concern that some vehicle owners have chosen to not have their vehicles fixed despite the urgent nature of the recall.

Tesla Model S crashes into truck stopped at red light, reportedly without braking.

The AP (5/12) reports from South Jordan, Utah, where “a Tesla sedan with a semi-autonomous Autopilot feature has rear-ended a fire department truck at 60 mph (97 kph) apparently without braking before impact, but police say it’s unknown if the Autopilot feature was engaged.” According to the story, the Model S crashed into the mechanic truck while the latter was stopped at a red light, injuring the driver of the Tesla but not the driver of the truck. The AP adds that the Tesla driver is not suspected to have been under the influence at the time, although the roads were wet from a slight rain. A spokesperson for the NTSB, Keith Holloway, “said he didn’t know whether the agency would get involved with the crash,” but the Safety Board and NHTSA are already working on at least two other Tesla-related crash investigations.

Keyless cars can inadvertently lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

The New York Times (5/13, A1, Jeans, Kamp, Subscription Publication, 18.33M) reports that more than two dozen people have been killed by carbon monoxide nationwide since 2006 after a keyless-ignition vehicle was inadvertently left running in a garage. “Dozens of others have been injured, some left with brain damage,” according to a Times report. The Times says, “Weaned from the habit of turning and removing a key to shut off the motor, drivers – particularly older ones – can be lulled by newer, quieter engines into mistakenly thinking that it has stopped running.” The article mentions that NHTSA “released a video two years ago that highlighted the risks of keyless vehicles, including carbon monoxide poisoning.” However, at the same time NHTSA “has postponed adoption of the keyless ignition regulation three times.” In a statement, NHTSA said in March, “Once NHTSA has finished its review and determined the best path forward, NHTSA will take appropriate action.”

Hyundai issues recall for 2017 Ionic hybrids, Kia recalls 2017 Niro hybrids.

Consumer Reports (5/10, 14.13M) reports that Hyundai will be recalling 27,029 of its 2017 Ionic hybrids, and Kia will be issuing a recall of 10,156 of its 2017 Niro hybrids.

        Cars (5/10, 931K) reports that the reason for the Hyundai recall is the discovery that the “hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA) inner oil seal may leak” which may result in an electrical short and lead to a fire. Cars advises owners to call the automaker and the NHTSA.

        Cars (5/10, 931K) reports that the Kia recall was also an HCA related issue. Cars says that owners of the Kia vehicle will be notified by the company by June 15, and they should call the automaker and the NHTSA.

        ConsumerAffairs (5/10, 123K) also reports on the Hyundai recall.

Complaint from three owners of Toyota Highlanders leads to investigation.

Forbes (5/10, Cheryl, Jensen, 9.96M) reports that according to a report posted on the NHTSA website three drivers have reported that the steering wheels of their Toyota Highlanders have come off while they were driving. As a result of the complaint, the NHTSA will be conducting an investigation and will determine whether the 733,000 Toyota Highlanders between the model years of 2008-13 should be recalled.

NHTSA warns owners to park Ford pickups with Takata airbags until fixed.

Bloomberg News (5/7, 4.02M) reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners of 2006 Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series pickups to keep their vehicles parked until the Takata airbags inside the vehicle have been replaced. NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King reiterated the agency’s warning on Monday, “I cannot stress strongly enough the urgency of this recall – these air bags are dangerous,” adding, “Every vehicle must be accounted for now.” Bloomberg reports Ford has replaced the airbags in about 49 percent of the 33,320 affected Rangers and 55 percent of the 2,205 recalled Mazda vehicles.

Waymo vehicle operating autonomously involved in crash in Arizona.

The CBS Evening News (5/4, story 13, 0:25, Glor, 5.63M) broadcast on a collision between one of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles and a Honda in Chandler, Arizona on Friday. The Evening News reported that “the police there say the driver of a Honda swerved into that van, actually, to avoid hitting another car.”

        CBS News (5/4, 5.59M) reports the Waymo “vehicle was in autonomous mode but there was an occupant in the driver’s seat who suffered minor injuries, police said.” According to the story, Chandler Police Department spokesperson Seth Tyler “said the Waymo vehicle was in the wrong place at the wrong time and would not be considered at fault, as Arizona is a no fault state.”