Issues
Buying a used car? Better make sure it's safe
“While federal law prohibits dealers from selling new vehicles that are under recall until they’ve been repaired, it does not stop them from selling you a used car with a recall that has not been fixed,” said Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. Buying a used car is always a bit risky.…
Kia, Hyundai agree to settle class action lawsuits over engine fires
ORLANDO, Fla. — Kia and Hyundai announced Friday that they have agreed to settle class action lawsuits over engine fires. The settlement could give more than $760 million to Americans who own certain models of Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Vehicles in the settlement include 2.3 million Hyundai (2011-2019 Sonata, 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sports, 2019 Santa…
Hyundai, Kia reach $758 million settlement in vehicle fires class-action lawsuit
“While we are glad to see Hyundai and Kia finally acknowledge responsibility for these millions of vehicle prone to non-crash fires, we look forward to seeing the details of the proposed settlement to understand whether this will truly make whole those who have lost their vehicles to fires and those who continue to be at…
COUNTERPOINT: Are self-driving cars a good idea? Think safety first
We’ve got some disappointing news for consumers: you shouldn’t give up your driver’s license and trade it in for a robot car just yet. Although news outlets across the country have been breathlessly reporting the imminent arrival of self-driving cars, you’ll need to keep your eyes on the road for the foreseeable future. Articles predicting…
When harm comes from safety tech, what to do?
“There’s a real concern that this issue is emblematic of a bigger picture for driver-assist systems, whether it’s AEB or some other features that have such tremendous potential,” said Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, which petitioned NHTSA to open a preliminary evaluation of the Rogues in March. “But because of…
This automaker promised to fix melting dashboards for drivers — but not in Georgia
“You’ve got a glare that is next to impossible to see through that puts other drivers in danger. It certainly puts pedestrians in danger,” said Jason Levine with Center for Auto Safety. NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – An automaker promised to fix melting dashboards for some drivers — but not in Georgia. It’s a defect in…
Want to disconnect from your phone? Automakers are making that tougher
Staying plugged in — whether at the office, on vacation, or even in your vehicle — has become the new normal, and carmakers may be helping to fuel Americans’ addiction to their smartphones. Vehicle voice recognition systems make it easy for drivers to respond to text messages and calls. In some cases, a driver’s cellphone…
Tesla accidents with Smart Summon feature draw NHTSA’s attention
Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, told Automotive News in an interview that he’s concerned Tesla tried to “insulate themselves from liability” by including — in the software release notes — that Smart Summon is only intended for use in private parking lots and driveways. According to data from NHTSA, 2,100 people died…
NTSB Seeks New Seat Belt Requirements for Limos After Crash
“While we concur with NTSB’s recommendations, based on the administration’s complete failure since day one to issue new car safety regulations, it is unlikely there will be any significant new federal requirements regarding limousine safety,” said Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit advocacy group. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Federal…