Issues

Nation’s top auto safety regulator misses deadline on potentially life-saving new rules for vehicle seats

November 17, 2023

“The Center is disappointed that NHTSA has been unable to meet the Congressionally mandated deadline and begin the process of improving federal safety standards to prevent deaths and injuries due to seat back collapse,” said Center for Auto Safety executive director Michael Brooks. “We encourage the agency to prioritize this rulemaking, particularly since there have…

Why electric vehicle fires are a real pain point for Arizona firefighters

October 20, 2023

“With this massive rollout and push from the government for electric vehicles, we should have, but we haven’t had a corresponding push for what happens when things go wrong, and that’s a conversation we really need to have, and we need to have it quick.” – Michael Brooks, Executive Director of the Center for Auto…

Hyundai and Kia recall nearly 3.4 million vehicles due to fire risk and urge owners to park outdoors

September 27, 2023

“Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, questioned why the companies aren’t fixing the leak problem and why they are waiting so long to send letters to owners. The remedy is replacing one fuse with another, but brake fluid can still leak, potentially causing a safety problem, Brooks said.” By Tom…

Some Kia drivers say missed software update notices result in engine failure

September 19, 2023

By Jason Knowles and Ann Pistone and Maggie Green September 19, 2023 Michael Brooks from the Center for Auto Safety said consumers missing software update notices is a common complaint against many manufacturers, because unlike official recalls, update notices are not required to be sent first class mail. You may not realize that your car,…

Brown Introduces Legislation to Improve School Bus Safety

September 11, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced the introduction of legislation to help keep our kids safe as they travel to and from school. Brown, along with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), introduced the School Bus Safety Act to implement safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to make school buses safer…

Is your car spying on you? Trading privacy for automation

August 31, 2023

“You can’t allow the sale or the transmission of this data. It should be completely outlawed,” said Center for Auto Safety executive director Michael Brooks, referring to the possibility that some automakers might share a driver’s information with 3rd parties. By Angie Moreschi and Larry Deal August 31, 2023 As cars get more features for…

AVs are coming, whether local officials like it or not

August 21, 2023

“Future benefits of AVs remain speculative and have yet to be proven in any tangible form,” said Michael Brooks – Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety, “but the AV industry continues to promote these aspirational future benefits for people with disabilities, to seniors, for the environment, and for improved safety outcomes for everyone…

US probing Virginia fatal crash involving Tesla suspected of running on automated driving system

August 11, 2023

Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said Autopilot is faulty and should be recalled. The recall “should be a slam dunk,” Brooks said. “That’s why I think it’s baffling why this is taking so long, and why we having to keep watching people die.” By Tom Krisher, AP August 10,…

Valley mom warns drivers after her Kia catches fire on freeway; “our life was turned upside down”

August 9, 2023

Michael Brooks (Center for Auto Safety) questions whether some of the recall fixes, like installing sensor software instead of replacing engines, fully address the safety hazard. “They’re not really addressing the underlying defect that’s causing the problems here, which is, you know, a poor engine design.” By Kristen Johnson August 9, 2023 Melissa Thompson and…

WESH 2 Investigates possible outdated auto safety recall information

August 3, 2023

“There appears to be a lack of communication between NHTSA and Kia,” Michael Brooks, the executive director of the auto safety watchdog group, the Center for Auto Safety, said. By Greg Fox July 25, 2023 A recent local non-crash fire involving a 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid is just one example of why an auto safety…