REPORT: NHTSA investigating Ford F-150 airbags, Mazda RX-8 clutch pedals
According to The New York Times' Wheels blog, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently in the early stages of investigating issues involving the 2005 Ford F-150 and 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 models equipped with manual transmissions.
In the case of the Blue Oval, NHTSA has received eight complaints of F-150 airbags that have either deployed during ignition or in the seconds directly after ignition. The issue has reportedly resulted in some bumps and bruises, but if NHTSA finds the issue to be a big problem, up to 530,000 vehicles stand to be effected by what could be a very expensive safety recall for the Blue Oval.
At the other end of the automotive spectrum, Mazda's RX-8 sportscar is under the watchful eye of NHTSA for a problem that could effect far fewer vehicles but the problem is equally serious. The safety administration has reportedly received 40 complaints of 2004-2008 models that have experienced clutch pedal bracket failure, and in 15 cases, the rotary-powered Mazda was moving and the drivers couldn't change gears normally as a result. Two of those drivers could have found themselves in a more dangerous situation, as the clutch pedal was reported to have become wedged under the brake pedal.
At this point, NHTSA is just beginning to investigate these issues, and if a recall results in either case, the government agency will assuredly issue notice.
[Source: The New York Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
dukeisduke 10:36AM (10/06/2009)
We have ignition!
/bang!
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dukeisduke 10:37AM (10/06/2009)
BTW, it's affected, not effected.
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Farris 11:24AM (10/06/2009)
Word. That bothered me both times I saw it.
daleam 12:29PM (10/06/2009)
One of my pet peeves. UGH!
Avinash machado 10:39AM (10/06/2009)
I guess Matt will be posting his usual rants here shortly.
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Matt (that likes ford) 10:44AM (10/06/2009)
I'm waiting for him!
Yaroukh 11:07AM (10/06/2009)
he is probably already drunken by now :)
BigMcLargeHuge 10:40AM (10/06/2009)
Enough with the stupid domestic/import safety flamer-posts.
Its not like cars are less safe than decades ago. That's ludicrous. Its just that the NHSTA has to dig deeper to find mistakes.
And if you dig deep enough, you will find mistakes in ANY product or organization. Period.
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Matt (that likes ford) 10:43AM (10/06/2009)
I'm pretty sure there would be some emotional scars as well after getting punched in the face while starting your truck. that would be prettyu surprising. I would probably duck anytime i turned the key ever again...
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jpm100 11:28AM (10/06/2009)
If your head is in front of the airbag when it goes off, it can break your neck.
It would be a freak coincidence, but I've seen people lean in from outside and have other wierd postures starting their cars either trying to warm up their cars and being too lazy to take a seat or listening for something wrong, etc.
Matt (that likes ford) 10:43AM (10/06/2009)
I'm pretty sure there would be some emotional scars as well after getting punched in the face while starting your truck. that would be pretty surprising. I would probably duck anytime i turned the key ever again...
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Matt (that likes ford) 10:43AM (10/06/2009)
damn commenting system
BigMcLargeHuge 10:44AM (10/06/2009)
The stupid domestic/import safety bashing makes me laugh.
Its not like cars are less safe than decades ago. That's ludicrous.
Its just that the NHSTA has to dig deeper to find mistakes.
And if you dig deep enough, you will find mistakes in ANY product or
organization. Period.
Every single automaker will get their turn when NHTSA gets to them.
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Hank 10:46AM (10/06/2009)
FINALLY NHTSA is looking at the broken clutch pedal issue that has haunted many RX-8 owners for a long time now
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Benfolio 11:26AM (10/06/2009)
I've heard about the Evo pedals breaking, but never an RX-8. I've worked at a Mazda dealer since '05 and we've never seen a single one go bad.
But then again I'm in WI and no one drives their 8 year round.... we don't see to many with more than 30-40k on them.
Hank 12:42PM (10/06/2009)
it's actually not the pedal itself; it's the mounting bracket they use to hold the clutch pedal in place that is breaking. the welds they used on the bracket is simply too flimsy to take the day-to-day wear of clutch use, and they just break off.
And yes this happens mostly to RX-8's used as daily cars, and to people with a heavy left foot, lol
UniBroW 10:58AM (10/06/2009)
my clutch pedal literally snapped right in half, mechanic couldn't believe what a crappy clutch pedal the rx8 has. Destroyed my Master in the process. Other then that I love my 8.
Have to be honest though, I had my 8 and 4 year old in the car at the time and i was stuck in the middle of the road on a very busy highway.
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TigerMil 11:17AM (10/06/2009)
Troll. The recall is for a clutch pedal bracket.
You Lie!
UniBroW 11:20AM (10/06/2009)
um....no actually. My clutch bracket snapped more specifically. Like I said, I love my 8
UniBroW 11:23AM (10/06/2009)
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=178486
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=132912