Issues
CAS Statement on Opening of NHTSA Investigation into Tesla Battery Fires
The NHTSA investigation is the best way Tesla has to insure the safety of the Model S and restore consumer confidence. Unlike the Chevrolet Volt, the Tesla fires occurred on the road and not in the lab. Unlike the Volt, the Tesla had three fires not one. Tesla needs to fully cooperate with NHTSA to determine the problem is lack of a shield and not a more serious battery problem like the Boeing Dreamliner.
Toyota: Make sure WiFi doesn’t threaten car safety – 11/14/13
by David Shepardson
2012 Fisker Karma Fire Recalls
12V-413 – A manufacturing defect in the low temperature cooling fan may result in a direct short. A direct short may ignite the fan housing, shroud and surrounding components, causing a vehicle fire.
Click here for the 12V-413 Part 573 Defect Information Report
Distracted Driving Survey Shows Mature Drivers Catching Up on Phone Usage – 11/14/13
Annual State Farm Distracted Driving survey shows drivers use phones for much more than talking.
Government Not Musk Will Have Final Word on Tesla Recall – 11/13/13
Tesla Motors Inc. co-founder Elon Musk says “there’s definitely not going to be a recall” of the company’s Model S sedan. Ultimately, it’s not up to him.
U.S. regulators’ decision on whether to start a defect investigation, which can lead to a recall, will depend whether they see three fires in five weeks as freak occurrences or evidence of a design flaw in the plug-in car.
Tesla’s top safety rating comes with fine print – 8/23/13
Is the Tesla Model S really the safest car on the road?
One key fact went unnoticed this week as Tesla Motors Inc. trumpeted its “best” crash-test rating in the media: The federal government doesn’t test most other luxury cars.
So the Model S may be safer than many cars costing far less. But whether it’s safer than direct competitors from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz — considered among the safest cars available — remains a mystery.