Issues

How This 'Driverless' Car Startup Can Test In California Without A Permit

May 8, 2018

Earlier this year, Californiaโ€™s department of motor vehicles rolled out a new set of regulations for companies that want to conduct driverless car tests on public roads. But despite the painstaking effort that went into crafting the regulations, the DMV says there is one company in the state thatโ€™s allowed to test cars without a…

New federal backup camera rule honors LI boyโ€™s tragic death

May 2, 2018

Driving over a bump. Thatโ€™s what it felt like to the Syosset father when he accidentally backed up his car over his 2-year-old son, killing him. Greg Gulbransen has spent the past 15 years trying to make up for that day, advocating for backup cameras in all new vehicles. He has spoken before Congress, joined…

Are you driving a car with a potentially dangerous safety problem?

April 30, 2018

Seems like we’re always hearing about another car recall, but those are only the big ones. Each year, automakers issues hundreds of recalls that involve tens of millions of vehicles โ€“ and most never make the news. “Too many people are not getting those recalls fixed, in large part because they often don’t even know…

Should all recalls trigger free loaners for owners?

April 30, 2018

WASHINGTON โ€” Is Honda’s aggressive response to the Takata airbag crisis a special remedy for uniquely challenging circumstances or a template for the industry to follow? That’s the question at the heart of a debate over whether consumers deserve access to free loaner vehicles when their own vehicles are under recall for a safety defect.…

Another Tampa Bay driver reports their KIA went up in flames while parked

April 25, 2018

Debra Hinebaugh couldn’t believe the car she had not driven in two days burst into flames. She grabbed a hose and started putting it out, but it took the fire department to douse the flames. Debra and her husband say the 2007 Sedona only had 60,000 miles on it and had just been serviced. They…

Shopping for a car? Don't forget to compare warranties

April 20, 2018

You’ve got a lot to think about aside from price when buying a new car. Thereโ€™s fuel economy, safety features and reliability.  One of the most overlooked aspects of car buying is comparing warranties. And since most of us keep our vehicles longer these days, a good warranty is more important than ever. โ€œWarranties do…

Millions still haven't had airbags swapped out in Takata recall

April 20, 2018

MANCHESTER, N.H. โ€” Despite numerous deaths and injuries, millions of drivers have not had their Takata airbags swapped out as part of the largest recall ever issued. Since 2008, more than 37 million vehicles, with 50 million airbags, have been subject to the Takata airbag recall. But only a fraction of car owners have acted,…

Buying a new car? Check the safety features

April 16, 2018

Today’s new cars are the safest ever. Thatโ€™s due, in large part, to a number of hi-tech safety features, such as lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic warnings, blind spot monitors and adaptive cruise control. When you go shopping, you need to take the time to check which safety features are standard and which are optional, if…

Millions of recalled cars still may be on the road with unfixed issues

April 11, 2018

WASHINGTON — There are new questions about a tragic accident Indiana last month when a 24-year-old man died after pulling his 3-year-old daughter from a car that rolled into frigid pond. Now we’re learning that type of car had a recall for a defect that could cause it roll away, even if the driver put it in…

Parked car that rolled into Indy pond with 3-year-old inside had been recalled for brake issues

April 10, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.– A parked car that ended up rolling back into an Indianapolis pond last month while a 3-year-old girl was inside was on a motor vehicle recall list. The father of the child died after he jumped into the water to save her. โ€œShe said, ‘My daddy got me out of the water but…