Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 227,000 vehicles in the United States over multiple safety defects — its latest such action in a record-shattering year that has seen the automaker issue more than 120 recalls.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the new recall covers 163,256 Bronco Sport SUVs for front seats that may have loose bolts, 56,841 Lincoln and Explorer models for windshields with visible air bubbles, and 6,909 Econoline vans with inoperative defrosting or defogging systems.Deal ...

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration General Motors is opening a probe into 286,000 GM vehicles in the U.S over a possible engine failure issue, the safety regulator said on Monday. ...

Group 1 - Hyundai Motor America is recalling over 135,000 vehicles due to a potential short circuit risk during a crash, specifically affecting certain model year 2024-2025 Santa Fe vehicles [1] - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated that the B+ positive terminal cover on the starter motor may not be installed correctly, which could lead to electrical shorts and increase the risk of damage or fire [1][2] - Dealers will inspect and reinstall the starter motor terminal cover at no cost, with notifications to vehicle owners starting in December [6] Group 2 - The Santa Fe is one of Hyundai's best-selling SUVs in the U.S., and the all-new 2024 model was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2023, featuring new styling and updated technology [3] - Hyundai and its affiliate Kia have faced multiple recalls in recent years, with over 3 million vehicles recalled in 2023 alone due to fire risks associated with brake system issues [8][11]

Tesla is being sued by the parents of a teenager killed in a crash involving one of its Cybertruck pickups last fall. The incident involved four passengers who were in the vehicle when it hit a tree and caught on fire in a quiet Bay Area town in California, according to court documents.Only one of the crash victims survived.The suit, filed Thursday in Alameda county superior court, is being brought by the family of Krysta Tsukahara, a 19-year-old college student who was visiting her family over Thanksgiving ...

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is re-evaluating its door handle design to incorporate more manual controls for emergency situations, following safety concerns and regulatory scrutiny [1][2][3][4] Group 1: Design Changes - Tesla's chief designer announced plans to combine electronic and manual door controls into a single button for easier access during emergencies [1] - The company is responding to complaints about the difficulty of using manual door releases in emergencies, which have been reported by owners [3][4] Group 2: Regulatory Scrutiny - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Tesla due to multiple complaints from parents about children being trapped in the Model Y SUV when electronic door controls failed [2] - Chinese regulators are also considering a ban on flush or concealed door handles, prompting Tesla to study the proposed legislation [3] Group 3: Safety Incidents - A Bloomberg report highlighted incidents where Tesla's complex door design hindered evacuation during emergencies, raising safety concerns [4] - Tesla's board has acknowledged these safety issues and emphasized that the vehicles are equipped with a manual override for power failures [4]

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is redesigning its door handles to enhance safety and prevent occupants from being trapped inside the vehicles following incidents reported to the NHTSA [1][3]. Group 1: Safety Concerns - The NHTSA has opened an investigation into Tesla's door handles after receiving nine complaints from owners regarding failures [3]. - Issues identified include the reliance on electronic locks that may fail without battery power and the difficulty in accessing manual door releases [3]. Group 2: Design Changes - Tesla's chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, indicated that the company is working on a solution that combines electronic and manual door releases into a single button [3]. - The decision to rethink door handle design aligns with safety concerns raised in China, although no final regulatory action has been taken there [2].

Investigation into Tesla Model Y - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into approximately 174,290 Tesla Model Y SUVs due to issues with faulty electronic door handles [1][6] - Complaints have been received from owners of the 2021 Model Y who reported being unable to re-enter their vehicles after exiting, with some parents having to break windows to regain access [2][3] Safety Concerns - The NHTSA's investigation highlights that the electronic door locks may become inoperative due to insufficient voltage from the vehicle's battery, which could pose risks during emergencies, particularly for children [4][5] - The investigation will assess the technology Tesla uses to supply power to the electronic door handles [4] Related Industry Developments - In China, authorities are proposing a ban on electronically-operated flush door handles by 2027 due to safety concerns, which could impact electric vehicle manufacturers [7] - Ford has also issued a recall for over 197,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles due to similar issues with electronically-operated door handles, affecting rear seat occupants [8] Tesla's Performance in China - The Tesla Model Y L, a six-seater variant exclusive to China, has seen strong sales with 120,000 orders and an average of 10,000 orders per day [9] - Tesla's sales in China have increased in Q3, with 15,400 new insured registrations reported in the second week of September [10]

Core Viewpoint - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Tesla Model Y SUVs due to reports of inoperable door handles, particularly affecting parents trying to access rear doors to retrieve children [1][2]. Group 1: Investigation Details - The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received nine reports from Tesla owners regarding the inability to enter their vehicles, with four instances requiring owners to break a window to regain access [1][2]. - Preliminary findings suggest that the door handles may fail to operate if the electronic locks do not receive sufficient voltage from the vehicle's battery system, although no owners reported low-voltage battery warnings [3]. Group 2: Safety Features and Owner Awareness - Tesla vehicles are equipped with manual door releases located inside the car, which may be difficult for children to access, and some owners may not be aware of their existence [4]. - Restoring power to the electronic door locks is possible according to Tesla's owner manuals, but it involves a multi-step process requiring an external power source [4].

Core Viewpoint - The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary evaluation of Tesla Inc.'s Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year due to reports of electronic issues [1] Group 1 - The evaluation is part of NHTSA's ongoing efforts to ensure vehicle safety and address consumer complaints regarding potential electronic malfunctions in Tesla's Model Y [1] - This action reflects the regulatory scrutiny that Tesla faces as it continues to expand its electric vehicle offerings in the market [1] - The preliminary evaluation may lead to further investigations or recalls if significant safety concerns are identified [1]

Charlotte City Council in North Carolina voted Monday to remove Tesla from its list of approved vehicle manufacturers for municipal use, with one supportive member citing alleged “safety issues.”Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield, who led the effort, has favored such a move for weeks, according to WCNC.The 11-member board with nine Democrats voted 6-3 in favor of removing the Elon Musk-owned company from the list of more than a dozen approved vendors as the city seeks to purchase 45 electric vehicles.“When we are ...