All articles tagged with #automotive safety
General Motors is targeting a 2028 launch for a next-generation Super Cruise system that allows drivers to look away from the road. The automaker is using advanced simulators to test driver behavior and system safety, including measuring attention via games like Candy Crush. Currently, Super Cruise is available on over 20 GM models, but no passenger vehicles offer true eyes-off autonomy yet.
Adaptive driving beams (ADBs) are finally reaching US roads, allowing vehicles to dim specific LED segments to avoid blinding oncoming drivers while maintaining full illumination elsewhere. This technology, common in Europe and Asia for years, was delayed in the US until the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) updated lighting rules in 2022. Automakers like Rivian, Tesla, and Audi are now integrating the feature, though widespread adoption is hindered by strict US performance standards and software complexity. The system aims to improve night visibility, a critical issue given that half of traffic deaths occur at night despite only a quarter of driving happening after dark.
Adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, which steer light away from oncoming traffic while illuminating the road ahead, have finally been approved for use in the United States. While this technology has been available globally for about a decade, its U.S. adoption is just beginning. Federal data indicates that half of all traffic fatalities occur at night, despite only a quarter of driving happening after dark. Although carmakers are slowly integrating ADBs into new models, it will take years before enough vehicles are equipped with the technology to significantly impact safety statistics.
Volkswagen Group is recalling 2.86 million vehicles worldwide, including 208,000 in the U.S., to replace a corroding bolt that could cause steering failure. The issue affects models produced between 2013 and 2024, with no reported injuries. Free repairs are available at dealerships.
Honda is recalling 880,514 vehicles due to a rear subframe corrosion risk that could cause suspension failure and loss of control; affected models include Honda Pilot (2016–2022), Ridgeline (2017–2023), Passport (2019–2023), and Acura MDX (2014–2020) in 23 states and DC. Owner notices go out July 7, 2026 and dealers will repair or replace components at no charge.
The article explores the manufacturing and use of crash test dummies at Humanetics, highlighting their human-like design, the detailed process of creating their bones and flesh, and their crucial role in vehicle safety testing to improve car crash safety and data collection.
Tesla is challenging a $243 million verdict in a Florida lawsuit related to a 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system, arguing that the driver’s recklessness was the primary cause and that the verdict unfairly blames the company, potentially impacting innovation and safety improvements.
A Miami jury found Tesla partly responsible for a fatal crash in 2019, highlighting legal and safety risks associated with autonomous driving technology, and raising concerns about the safety and regulation of partially automated vehicles across the industry.
A Florida federal jury found Tesla partly liable for a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot software, ordering the company to pay over $200 million in damages, marking a rare legal loss for Tesla over Autopilot-related incidents, amid ongoing concerns about the safety and advertising of its driver-assist features.
Stellantis is recalling over 300,000 Ram Heavy Duty trucks from model years 2017-18 due to a faulty hydraulic control unit that could impair anti-lock brakes, electronic stability, and traction control systems. Regular brakes remain unaffected, and no injuries have been reported. The recall affects trucks in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and other regions. This follows recent recalls of Jeep and Dodge SUVs and previous Ram trucks for similar issues. Stellantis is also facing challenges with declining sales and inventory buildup.
A toddler was trapped inside a Tesla Model Y in Scottsdale, Arizona, after the car's 12-volt battery died, rendering the vehicle inoperable. The grandmother, unable to open the car with either the phone key or card key, called 911. Firefighters had to break a window to rescue the child, who was unharmed but frightened. The incident highlights the need for better public and first responder education on emergency procedures for electric vehicles.
A 20-month-old girl in Arizona was trapped in a Tesla Model Y after its battery died without warning, requiring firefighters to break the car's window to rescue her. The incident has raised concerns about Tesla's safety features and the adequacy of emergency response training for electric vehicles. Experts argue over whether the responsibility lies with Tesla for not having proper emergency safeguards or with firefighters for not being familiar with the car's emergency procedures.
Nearly 10 years after the recall of Takata airbags, over 6.4 million vehicles in the U.S. still have the potentially deadly devices, with 40% of these vehicles located in high-risk states. The airbags can explode with excessive force due to prolonged exposure to heat and humidity, posing a severe risk to occupants. The recall, the largest in auto safety history, has already resulted in over two dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries in the U.S.
Over 6 million U.S. vehicles still have potentially dangerous Takata airbags, despite a decade-long recall. These airbags, which can explode due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity, have caused injuries and deaths. Nissan has issued a "do not drive" warning for over 80,000 older vehicles. To check if your car is affected, use your VIN on the NHTSA's recall list or contact your local dealer for a free repair.
Nissan is urging owners of 84,000 vehicles, including certain older models of Sentra, Pathfinder, and Infiniti QX4, not to drive them due to defective Takata airbags. The company offers free towing and repairs to address the issue, which has been linked to 27 deaths and hundreds of injuries.