Autoblog

Ford Escape under fire for problems caused by recall repairs

Chris Tutor — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:29:00 EST

Seven years ago, Ford recalled about 470,000 Escape crossovers from its 2002-2004 model years to fix a troublesome accelerator cable. But the Center for Auto Safety says those repairs may have caused another problem.

The original recall was to implement a fix that prevented the accelerator cable from getting caught on the pedal. The defect could keep the engine from idling. But CARS says the recommended repairs could easily damage the vehicle's cruise control cable which could lead to unintended acceleration.

CARS says the new problem can be linked to at least one fatal accident and documents several other complaints from owners. Ford says it's conducting an investigation into the complaints.

The Center, though, says Ford knew of the problem early on in the recall and points to a memo to Ford dealers as evidence. The bulletin contained updated illustrations and a "warning regarding the correct procedures to follow when replacing the accelerator cable." The update specifically notes cruise control cables could be damaged during the recall repairs.

Clarence Ditlow, Executive Director of the Center, reportedly intends to tell Ford CEO Alan Mulally to dispense with the investigation and "to get it over with now."

In an email to The New York Times, Ford expressed its sympathies to the family of the teenager who died and said, "We are in the midst of our investigation, and we have not reached any conclusions. We will work closely with NHTSA to determine the cause of the crash and will take appropriate action if warranted by the outcome of the investigation."

Ford Escape under fire for problems caused by recall repairs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA ready to submit rearview camera mandate to Congress [UPDATE]

Chris Shunk — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:34:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology

About 100 children and over 200 adults die every year because drivers accidentally back over them. It's a sad statistic that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration feels can be prevented if all new vehicles come standard with backup cameras.

The New York Times reports that NHTSA plans to announce this week that rearview cameras will be mandatory on all vehicles by 2014. The compulsory cameras and interface for viewing what the camera sees is estimated to set new car buyers back an additional $160 to $200, but the government feels the cost is worth it if it prevents some of the 17,000 Americans that are harmed in backup accidents every year.

Clarence Ditlow, director for the Washington-based Center for Auto Safety, tells The New York Times that while the government acknowledges that in terms of pure numbers, the cost of the program is high and the amount of lives saved is small compared to some other safety implementations. But those numbers look a lot more doable when considering how devastating roll-over deaths are to families. "When you have a parent that kills a child in an incident that's utterly avoidable, they don't ever forget it."

What do you think, should rearview cameras become legally required? Have your say in Comments.

UPDATE: Ward's Auto reports NHTSA has delayed submitting its recommendation to Congress, likely to hold more discussions to hear and address concerns from the auto industry.

NHTSA ready to submit rearview camera mandate to Congress [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ralph Nader urges government to postpone GM IPO

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials

Ralph Nader has written a letter to President Barack Obama, urging him to delay General Motors' IPO. According to The Detroit News, his fear is that the automaker is still the "same old arrogant GM" and that the government stands to lose a bundle on the sale of its stock.

Nader is not alone in his criticism. His letter is signed by Public Citizen President Robert Weissman, Center for Auto Safety Executive Director Clarence Ditlow and former Public Citizen president Joan Claybrook. The group suggest that GM is taking steps that undermine the Obama administration's efforts after it was directly supported by the government and U.S. taxpayers. It feels that General Motors should not be lobbying congress while owners by the government. Per Nader, "They are lobbying against Obama's own policies on fuel efficiency, auto safety."

In his letter, Nader also states,

"The primary rationale of investing in GM had to be to preserve jobs and prop an economy in a severe downward spiral. As majority shareholder in GM, the United States has the ability to direct or influence the company's investment decisions. As the U.S. reduces its share, so its capacity to influence such decisions diminishes."

Ralph Nader knows that this letter is a Hail Mary attempt to delay General Motor's IPO, but he is hoping for some congressional support to build momentum. What do you think about Nader's move? Have your say in 'Comments.'

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Brendan Smialowski/Getty]

Report: Ralph Nader urges government to postpone GM IPO originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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