Issues

‘I was terrified’: Car goes up in flames in driveway even after recall repair was done

December 14, 2023

“It’s somewhat unacceptable, you know, they did everything right, they went and got the recall repair when they were supposed to. And supposedly their vehicle is fixed,” said Michael Brooks with the Center for Auto Safety. By Jeff Deal December 13, 2023 A Ford Escape suddenly burst into flames in a DeLand driveway.  That was…

Safety professionals weigh in on Tesla’s Cybertruck

December 12, 2023

Michael Brooks, the Center for Auto Safety’s executive director, told Repairer Driven News that the Cybertruck poses numerous possible threats to pedestrians. “… The ultra-hard cold-rolled stainless steel used in the CyberTruck results in a vehicle body that we believe is much less forgiving than other modern vehicles, and the force of the impact with…

Budget Car Rental blames possible tire thieves after SUV sends driver, kids spinning out of control

December 12, 2023

California introduced a law last year that clearly says the rental companies themselves need to ensure the vehicles they rent are “mechanically sound and safe to operate.” “It puts them on notice,” said Michael Brooks, the executive director at the Center for Auto Safety in the U.S. By Rosa Marchitelli, Jenn Blair December 11, 2023…

Owners of some Honda HR-V vehicles report “randomly” shattering rear windshields

December 12, 2023

“We’re at the point now, where we’re seeing so many complaints that I just don’t think the rates can be ignored anymore,” said Michael Brooks, the executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. By Meghan Schiller December 11, 2023 A North Hills woman said she can still hear the loud shatter and remember the…

Safety experts compare the Cybertruck to a ‘guideless missile’ due to its weight, speed, and Autopilot features

December 11, 2023

“The stiffness of putting stainless steel construction on top of a stiff battery in a vehicle,” Brooks said, “essentially it seems like it’s just going to turn these vehicles into a missile.” By Madison Hall December 11, 2023 Tesla’s newly-released Cybertruck weighs 3.5 tons and has the acceleration of a Formula 1 car. Experts, however,…

Musk Fanboys Melt Down After Ralph Nader-Founded Car Safety Group Trashes Cybertruck

December 11, 2023

But the Cybertruck, Brooks adds, adds two uniquely troubling factors to this equation: First is the “ultra-hard, cold-rolled stainless steel” exterior, which the center reasons “is much less forgiving than other modern vehicles.” Referring to Musk’s flashy demonstrations of the truck’s toughness, Brooks says: “The Cybertruck can stop a bullet and Joe Rogan‘s arrow, but what…

With one month left, 2023 is already the worst year for vehicle thefts in more than 15 years

December 7, 2023

The federal government needs to implement more robust cybersecurity and theft protection for vehicles into law to deter the rise in thefts, he said. Without it, thefts will likely continue to rise, he said. “Because hackers aren’t going to stop getting more advanced,” he said. By Rodrigo Torrejon December 7, 2023 On the afternoon of…

Yes, a heavy keychain can damage your car’s ignition over time

December 7, 2023

In an email, Michael Brooks, the executive director of The Center for Auto Safety, told VERIFY that GM and Nissan have previously cited heavy keychains as factors for damaged vehicle ignitions in recall notices. By Erin Jones December 7, 2023 “This weight puts extra strain on the ignition lock barrel. This can cause parts to wear out, and potentially…

BMW issues recall after Takata airbags blow apart, hurl shrapnel at drivers

December 5, 2023

“It’s a troubling issue and it makes us wonder, you know, do we need to go back to the drawing board and have some federal regulations that apply to how airbags are designed,” Brooks said. Story By Justin Gray December 5, 2023 Channel 2 Action News has learned that a new recall has been issued involving…

US agency to watch unrecalled Takata inflators after one blows apart, injuring a driver in Chicago

December 5, 2023

Companies want to save money by delaying any recalls, Brooks said. “The longer you delay any recall, the more of those vehicles are going to go out of service.” By Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer U.S. auto safety regulators said Monday they are monitoring data from a group of mostly unrecalled Takata air bag inflators…