Tesla scrutinized by U.S. agency over Model 3 safety claims

The Tesla Model 3 PerformanceHandout / Tesla The U.S. National Highway Traffic Administration sent Teslas Elon Musk a cease-and-desist letter last year regarding Model 3 safety claims and has subpoenaed the carmaker for information on several crashes, according to documents posted by a nonprofit advocacy group.NHTSA lawyers took issue with an October 7 Tesla blog post that said the Model 3 had achieved the lowest probability of injury of any vehicle the agency ever tested, the documents released Tuesday by the legal transparency group Plainsite show.The regulator said the claims were inconsistent with its advertising guidelines regarding crash ratings and that it would ask the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the statements were unfair or deceptive acts.The documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, also include orders for information that NHTSA sent to Tesla following several crashes, including a fatal March 1 crash involving a Model 3 operating on Autopilot.Representatives for Tesla and NHTSA didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokeswoman for the FTC declined to comment.NHTSA issued a statement in October that took exception with Teslas characterization of the agencys safety ratings. The agency said its crash tests combine into an overall safety rating and that it doesnt rank vehicles that score the same ratings. NHTSAs guidelines for the use of its test results in advertising warn that using terms such as safest and perfect to describe a particular rating or an overall score are misleading. NHTSA issued a similar statement in 2013, when Tesla said that its Model S achieved a vehicle safety score equated to 5.4 stars. The agency said then that it doesnt rate vehicles beyond 5 stars.This is not the first time that Tesla has disregarded the guidelines in a manner that may lead to consumer confusion and give Tesla an unfair market advantage, Jonathan Morrison, chief counsel at NHTSA, wrote in an October 17 letter addressed to Musk.Al Prescott, Teslas deputy general counsel, wrote in a reply letter that the company respectfully disagreed with NHTSA.Tesla has provided consumers with fair and objective information to compare the relative safety of vehicles having 5-star overall ratings, Prescott wrote in an Oct. 31
Origin: Tesla scrutinized by U.S. agency over Model 3 safety claims

Ontario man shot in the face over road-rage middle-finger-flip

A young man stopped in his car at an east London, Ontario intersection was shot in the face after giving another motorist the finger in what police now say is a case of possible road rage.Investigators on Thursday announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the attempted murder case that has gone unsolved for nearly two months.A man, 21, had left work and was driving a Volkswagen in the area of Royal Crescent and Wexford Avenue around 4 p.m. on May 11 when he encountered a Chevrolet Cruze being driven aggressively, police said.The man gestured toward the Cruze driver friends of the victim say he gave the middle finger before proceeding to the intersection at Admiral Drive and Trafalgar Street, where the Cruze driver pulled up beside the Volkswagen and shot the driver before speeding away, police said.It appears that it may well be an incident of road rage, Det. Sgt. Alex Krygsman said.We know from what this young man was able to tell us, and also from citizens who came forward, that this (Cruze) was seen being driven in an erratic manner in the neighbourhood and that this young man simply encountered this vehicle on the street as he was minding his own businesses.The bullet shattered the passenger-side window of the Cruze before going through Volkswagens open window and striking the driver in the left side of the face, shattered two of his teeth and fracturing his vertebrae, before exiting the right side of his neck, Krygsman said. The suspect drove away west on Trafalgar Street and then south on Marconi Boulevard, said police, who released three images of the Cruze that showed damage on the drivers side, a smashed-out front passenger window and possible damage on the bumper.Four days after the shooting, police seized a Cruze without a front bumper from a home on Bowcott Crescent, south of Trafalgar Street and west of Veterans Memorial Parkway. The resident and the vehicles owner both spoke with investigators, Krygsman said.The suspect, who wasnt previously known to the victim, is described as in his 20s with a slim to average
Origin: Ontario man shot in the face over road-rage middle-finger-flip

Almost 100,000 Jeeps recalled over defect that could shift them to neutral

Fiat Chrysler is recalling 10,485 Jeep Cherokee SUVs in Canada because the transmission could accidentally shift into neutral while driving, keeping the vehicle from moving forward.Including Jeeps sold in the U.S., some 91,650 vehicles are affected, specifically Cherokees from the 2014 model year equipped with the 3.2-litre V6.On affected vehicles, a stuck valve in the transmission valve body can keep the clutch from deactivating, which may shift them into neutral while moving and cause an abrupt stop, increasing the risk of a crash.Fiat Chrysler hasnt outlined a specific fix yet for the issue, but nevertheless expects to begin the recall early August. No crashes or injuries associated with the issue have been
Origin: Almost 100,000 Jeeps recalled over defect that could shift them to neutral

More than 13,000 Mazda3s recalled in Canada over wheels that could fall off

2019 Mazda3 SportBrian Harper Mazda is recalling 13,108 examples of its 2019-model-year Mazda3 in Canada because a manufacturing defect may increase the odds the wheels will fall off.The Japanese automaker says while the lug nuts on the wheels were tightened to the correct specification at the factory, a manufacturing error may mean a gap between the wheel hub bolt and the hub flange was left during assembly.The gap could allow the lug nuts to loosen when the vehicle is in motion, which could in turn result in the wheels falling off completely.Drivers will hear a rattling sound before the wheel completely separates from the car, Mazda suggested.Recalled vehicles will simply have their lug nuts re-torqued to the correct specifications. No incidents of wheels detaching from Mazda3s has yet been reported, nor have any accidents or injuries tied to the
Origin: More than 13,000 Mazda3s recalled in Canada over wheels that could fall off

Transport Canada investigating 250,000 GM trucks, SUVs over braking issue

2017 Chevrolet SilveradoChevrolet Transport Canada opened a probe June into 249,700 General Motors trucks and SUVs over whether the vehicles power brake systems could deteriorate prematurely, causing issues for owners and leading to incident or injury.The safety regulator is specifically looking at GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe SUVs from model years 2015 through 2017; as well as light-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks from model years 2014 through 2017.The move follows the opening of an investigation last November by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over the same issue.The NHTSA had received 487 reports from drivers of some GM trucks and SUVS alleging their vehicles required hard brake pedal effort to stop adequately, and that stopping distances were extended anyway. This was attributed to a deterioration of the engine-driven brake assist vacuum pump, reports Reuters.That group counted nine incidents of collisions related to poor braking; and two injuries among those reports, and launched its own probe into about 2.73 million SUVs and pickups from model years 2014 through
Origin: Transport Canada investigating 250,000 GM trucks, SUVs over braking issue

Florida man gets himself in heap of trouble jumping Nissan over canal

Perhaps inspired by the Dukes of Hazzard, a Florida man jumped his Nissan Versa over a 20-foot-wide canal June 2019Warner Bros. Pictures A man in Lehigh Acres, Florida, broke his back after attempting to jump his vehicle across a canal, Dukes of Hazzard-style.According to NBC, 35-year-old Robert Foley mistook his Nissan Versa for an orange 1969 Dodge Charger and tried to jump over a 20-foot-wide canal.One witness, known to NBC only as Gerald, saw the whole thing happen.He was driving full speed, came across the canal, he landed right here on the bank as you can see, he told the news outlet.He hit this, hit the truck right here, he got out and started running. I went inside, I was scared.A short clip of the aftermath from NBC shows the destroyed vehicle sitting on the other side of the canal. The bank is still damaged where Foley smashed into it.You have to hand it to the guy, though, he did make it across to the other side, and he ran away despite having a broken back. Needless to say, dont try this at home.Foley has had his licence revoked since 2017, and now faces a hit and run charge as well as two DUI
Origin: Florida man gets himself in heap of trouble jumping Nissan over canal

Porsche recalling almost 9,000 cars in Canada over rollaway risk

Almost 9,000 older Porsche sedans and SUVs are being recalled in Canada because a defect with their gear shifters may put them at risk of rolling away when their owners think theyve put them in PARK.Some 8,742 vehicles are affected in Canada, along with another 99,700 in the U.S., for a total of about 108,400.The specific models affected include Porsche Cayenne SUVs from 2004 through 2010; Cayenne S and Turbo SUVs from 2003 through 2006; and Cayenne Turbo S SUVs from the 2006 model year.Also affected are Porsche Panamera and Panamera 4 sedans from 2011 through 2016; Panamera S, 4 S and Turbo sedans from 2010 through 2016; and a wide variety of Turbo trims and 4 special editions from specific model years in the 2012 through 2016 range.In affected vehicles, a plastic bushing attached to the cable between the gear shifter and the gearbox may separate; even with the vehicle in PARK and the key removed, this means it may be possible for it to roll away.Porsche does not know of any injuries related to the defect, but has received numerous reports of the cables detaching. Porsche dealers will begin replacing the bushing in
Origin: Porsche recalling almost 9,000 cars in Canada over rollaway risk

GM claims acceleration victory over Ram in HD pickup wars

In the never-ending Detroit pickup truck wars, it was inevitable that competition between brands would eventually spill over into areas other than simple output numbers.Ram was the first to crest the 1000 lb.-ft. of torque figure, leaving the other two Detroit truck makers to needle them about other matters of supremacy. The latest? Acceleration times.At a presentation last week during media drives of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD, company spox boasted of their trucks ability to take full advantage of torque, claiming their truck is capable of faster acceleration times than an equivalent Ram HD pickup.For the record, GM was showing stats for a Silverado 3500 DRW and a Ram 3500 DRW.According to data shown at the event, Chevys workhorse can whip from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 7.4 seconds, a full two seconds faster than the Ram. When laden with an 18,000-lb trailer, the Chevy can allegedly turn the same trick in 19.9 seconds, a 2.6-tick advantage over the Ram.Executing a highway passing maneuver from 40 to 60 mph with this load in tow is said to take 11.8 seconds in the Chevy, 12.8 in the Ram.Naturally, it didnt take long for Ram to hit back. According to reports, FCA reps were eager to explain theyre more concerned about the ability to maintain speed on a grade rather than flat-out straight-line performance on a billiard-smooth surface.GMs diesel does have 45 horsepower on the Ram, which explains some of its extra urgency in a quick-start situation. Remember the racers creed: horsepower is how fast your car hits the wall, torque is how far you move the wall.In any event, both the Ram and Chevy are within a hairs breadth of each other in terms of maximum towing prowesstheyll pull 35,100 lbs and 35,500 lbs, respectively.Another poke-in-the-eye that GM tossed out to its competition during last weeks launch? They claim that every 3500 DRW diesel can haul at least 30,000 lbs while pointedly asserting the Other Guys cannot make that statement.The truck wars arent ending anytime soon,
Origin: GM claims acceleration victory over Ram in HD pickup wars

Fiat Chrysler faces lawsuit over Jeep steering wobble

2018 Jeep Wrangler RubiconJeep Fiat Chrysler’s lawyers have been having a good year, financially speaking. The latest overtime they’re taking on comes thanks to a New Jersey resident who’s behind a new class-action lawsuit recently filed against the international automaker. The suit claims Fiat Chrysler Automobiles defectively designed and/or manufactured front axle and damping system,” which, when triggered, can cause the steering of Jeep Wranglers made from 2015 to 2018 to shake while travelling over certain speeds or terrain, and that it didn’t warn drivers about the flaw. The Wrangler’s solid front axle allegedly can’t handle the road the same way the suspension can, occasionally causing the front axle and steering to fall out of line and begin oscillating at highway speeds, reports the Detroit Free Press. The automaker acknowledges the issue exists, but claims it’s due to faulty aftermarket equipment, damaged steering components and/or improper tire pressure, not bad building. No fatalities or injuries have been reported, but the suit takes aim at the fact FCA has neglected to declare the issue a safety hazard, and doesn’t warn potential buyers of the problem. “Rather than address it – or disclose its possibility and/or warn drivers at the point of sale – FCA simply claims in a news article that the Death Wobble’ is not a safety issue’ and that it can happen with any vehicle that has a solid front axle (rather than an independent front suspension), such as the Wrangler,’” reads the lawsuit. The class-action litigation is seeking to force FCA to offer a buy-back program to affected drivers, along with punitive damages.
Origin: Fiat Chrysler faces lawsuit over Jeep steering wobble

Hyundai, Toyota pause fuel-cell sales over explosion in Norway

A hydrogen fuel station in Sandvika, Norway, was totally ripped apart when an explosion occurred, prompting Toyota and Hyundai to pause the sale of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for sale. According to local news site NRK, two people were hospitalized when the shockwave of the explosion set off their airbags. A 500-metre safety zone was also established around the site. Nel, the station operator, has closed its other hydrogen fueling stations in Norway as a precaution. It is too early to speculate about the cause, Nel boss Jon André Løkke said in a phone interview. Our top priority is the safe operation of the stations we supply. As a precaution, we have temporarily closed 10 more stations until further information is available. The station was the first of a new generation that the company implemented, opening in November 2016. The design allowed the hydrogen to be placed farther away from other components, as gave it a much smaller footprint. In a statement, Toyota exec Epsen Olsen said the automaker will temporarily stop selling the Mirai until we have learned what has happened, and for practical reasons since there’s no place to fill them up. Local news shared several videos from witnesses who saw the ensuing fire. Electrive reports two experts have been flown in from Denmark to advise the rescue crew and help investigate the exact cause.
Origin: Hyundai, Toyota pause fuel-cell sales over explosion in Norway