U.S. auto safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla’s Model Y SUV after getting two complaints that the steering wheels can come off while being driven. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the probe covers an estimated 120,000 vehicles from the 2023 model year. The agency says in both cases the Model Y…
Two crashes involving Teslas apparently running on autopilot are drawing scrutiny from federal regulators and point to a potential new hazard on U.S. freeways: The partially automated vehicles might not stop for motorcycles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent investigation teams to two crashes last month in which Teslas collided with motorcycles on freeways…
U.S. safety regulators have opened three investigations into safety issues with about 1.65 million vehicles made by Stellantis. The largest probe covers 1.34 million Jeep Cherokee small SUVs from the 2014 through 2020 model years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has 80 complaints that the electronic parking brakes can turn on while…
Exploding Airbag Settlement Could Cost Over $1 Billion Japan’s Takata could be close to settlement with the US Department of Justice over its massive exploding-airbag recall in what would amount as the largest exploding airbag settlement ever. The company is expected to pay up to $1 billion to resolve allegations of criminal wrongdoing in handling its…
The U.S. auto safety agency has opened an investigation into complaints that another 1 million Fiat Chrysler vehicles can roll away after the owners shift transmissions into park, a problem similar to the one being blamed in the wrongful death of “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin. The investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…
Ikea is settling three separate defective product lawsuits brought against it for the wrongful deaths of three young boys. The Swedish company will pay $50 million to the families of the boys who died when Ikea dressers toppled over with crushing force. In all cases, the lethal furniture was one of Ikea’s Malm dressers, a line of…
Toyota has for years blocked access to data stored in devices similar to airline “black boxes” that could explain crashes blamed on sudden unintended acceleration, according to an Associated Press review of lawsuits nationwide and interviews with auto crash experts. The AP investigation found that Toyota has been inconsistent — and sometimes contradictory — in…
Hundreds of people taking the diabetes drug Avandia needlessly suffer heart attacks and heart failure each month, according to confidential government reports that recommend that the drug be removed from the market. The reports, obtained by The New York Times, say that if every diabetic now taking Avandia were instead given a similar pill named…
GlaxoSmithKline said Thursday it Will remove zinc from its denture cream after reports that excessive use over many years can cause neurological damage and blood problems in consumers. The British manufacturer will stop making and marketing Super Poligrip Original, Ultra Fresh and Extra Care products in the U.S. The company plans to reformulate the creams…
