Category: Automotive
Takata to plead guilty for the airbag defect scandal
Major auto part maker Takata is set to plead guilty and pay a $1 billion settlement in a plea agreement over an airbag fault scandal.
It has been called one of the “largest and most complex safety recall” cases in history, with defects linked to 16 deaths worldwide, and a further 100 injuries reported.
The airbag’s defect can lead to a sudden explosion, shooting sharp metal fragments into the cars cabin. A safety device that’s intended to save lives has ended up costing them instead.
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Land Rovers and Jaguars rolling away while parked reportedly causing injuries
According to automotive regulators, some Land Rover SUVs and Jaguar XF sedans have been reported to cause injuries after the vehicles rolled away while parked.
Seven reports were received of rollaway vehicles for the following models: year 2012-2014 Land Rover Evoque sport-utility vehicles; and 2013 Jaguar XF sedan vehicles.
It’s thought that approximately 39,000 vehicles could be affected by the problem though, which is a lot of potential accidents waiting to happen…
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Why have affected Honda Odyssey minivan owners had to wait six years for a remedy?
Honda have been in the firing line following their reportedly lax attitude in recalling defective minivans.
Vehicle owners have reported that their minivans’ second row seats are unstable. The second-row seats have a lever that allows the seats to slide forward so that passengers can access the third row.
The Japanese automakers state that the release lever may remain unlocked due to a manufacturing fault of the spring, which allows the second-row seats to move spontaneously – also known as free-sliding.
In the event of a crash, an unlocked seat could jolt second-row passengers forward, which could cause disastrous injuries; which is rather worrying…
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General Motors and Honda are recalling approximately 634,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to defects
Dealers in the U.S. are recalling 327 Buick Envision SUVs and around 634,000 Honda Odyssey Minivans due to defects that may cause injuries or potentially, death.
This is yet another mass recall the automotive industry is embroiled in, and there seem to be recalls happening almost all of the time!
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Investigations open into Smart car fires and explosions
Yet another car manufacturer has hit the news. Multiple complaints of Smart cars allegedly bursting into flames have been reported, which is not an issue to ignore!
Manufactured by Smart USA, the 2008-2009 year models of the Smart ForTwo cars are available in over 50 countries, with about 100,000 units sold per year. Mercedes Benz is the parent company of the manufacturer, and the current investigation is looking in to some 40,000 Smart ForTwos arising from complaints.
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Company responsible for exploding airbags is close to settlement with federal prosecutors in the U.S.
Auto-parts maker Takata is reported to be nearing a settlement for supplying allegedly dangerous airbags that can explode and shoot shards of metal in to the vehicle cabin.
It has been revealed that Takata had been making the potentially defective airbags since the early 2000s, and any attempt to unearth their wrong doings have been covered up or misrepresented, according to media sources.
Some 19 automakers have recalled 42 million cars for repair work. It is unsure for now whether car owners will have to partially pay for the fix, or if Takata will have to pay the full fee. With their expected penalty fine being potentially as huge as $1 billion, this whole fiasco may put the company under serious financial pressure.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun an investigative probe into Hyundai cars after complaints that passenger seat belts detached.
Two complaints were made alleging that the passenger side seatbelt became detached from the car running board, and one of the complaints was made after a claimant suffered injuries from a road traffic accident.
It’s not known how serious the injuries were, but medical attention was reported to be have been required.
It goes without saying that this is a serious concern that has been raised.
Californian Man sues Tesla after his car suddenly accelerated into his home
A Californian man in the U.S. has filed a lawsuit against Tesla after his Model X SUV vehicle allegedly accelerated on its own, crashing into his garage, through the walls, and into his living room!
The claimant, as the driver, and his passenger, both suffered injuries in the crash. The lawsuit was brought to court with an application to make it a group class action as another seven (7) cases were cited to have similar allegations against Tesla as well.
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Volkswagen’s industrial lawsuit from General Motors Corporation
As we continue to act for thousands of people claiming in the “dieselgate” emissions scandal, it’s useful to take a look back at some of the historic indiscretions involving the eleventh biggest company in the world:- Volkswagen!
The German car manufacturing giant was involved in a monumental lawsuit back in the mid 90’s when it was accused of industrial espionage. They of course denied it all, much like their refusal to pay compensation to U.K. emissions scandal victims, but after a four year legal battle they eventually paid a settlement of $100 million to General Motors Corporation, and agreed to buy at least $1 billion worth of car parts from them.
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Takata’s faulty airbags looking to cost $1bn (£812m) in U.S. settlement
It hasn’t been a good few years for the automotive industry. First we had the Volkswagen (VW) scandal, and now Takata Corporation’s huge airbag disaster; which may cost the Japanese auto suppliers up to $1 billion (£812 million) in a U.S. criminal settlement.
Takata has been manufacturing airbags for several automakers since 1988, and reportedly holds 20% of the market. Automakers in the mix include Honda, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, VW, Nissan and Toyota.
Since 2013, approximately 70 million vehicles in the U.S. have been, or will be, recalled due to the “high risk” of the defective, shrapnel-shooting airbags. The issue involves a defective inflater that may not open properly in the event of a crash, and may actually shoot metal fragments into drivers and/or passengers instead.
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Mystery device that gives criminals access to vehicles without a key fob
After many baffling years of trying to work out how some criminals are breaking into cars, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) may have found an answer…
The NICB believes that criminals are using a device to unlock vehicles, and, even shockingly, using the device to drive off with the vehicle too. The Bureau recently obtained one of these devices that the public was warned about some years ago for testing, and the results were concerning.
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Caterpillar’s £47 million settlement for a defect in heavy-duty engines
The Caterpillar Inc. class-action lawsuit reportedly produced favourable results for affected vehicle owners. Recently, a New Jersey judge approved a £47 million settlement to compensate owners for the alleged defects in their heavy-duty diesel engines.
The case, which has been litigated since 2012, recently came to a close when Judge Jerome Simandle of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey approved the £47 million settlement offer.
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