Its Shop Time Mondays: Tesla Is Recalling Over 475,000 Vehicles For Safety Concerns

1. Rearview Camera Image May Not Display

A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000

Manufacturer Tesla, Inc.

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY, BACK OVER PREVENTION

Potential Number of Units Affected 356,309

Its Shop Time Mondays: Kia And Mercedes-Benz Are Recalling Approximately 750,000 Vehicles

 

Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit May Short

An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000

Manufacturer Kia Motors America

Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Its Shop Time Mondays: Nissan And Infiniti Recalling 1.2 Million Vehicles For Faulty Back Up Cameras

No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V654000

Manufacturer Nissan North America, Inc.

Components Back Over Prevention

Mandatory Back-Up Cameras In Cars Will Reduce Child Fatalities

Just like with airbags and ABS (Anti-Lock Brakes), back-up cameras will soon be a standard feature on every new vehicle. There has been an on-going debate with Congress if back-up cameras are necessary. In our opinion and most folks who have them, the answer is yes. NHTSA (The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) finally issued a ruling earlier this week requiring that rear visibility cameras be standard in all-new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. 

"Rear visibility requirements will save lives, and will save many families from the heartache suffered after these tragic incidents occur," said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. "We're already recommending this kind of life-saving technology through our NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) and encouraging consumers to consider it when buying cars today."

Could Back-Up Cameras Be the Next Gov't Mandate for Vehicles?

Back up cameras in today's vehicles may no longer be seen as an expensive convenience feature to set you apart from your neighbors. According to NTHSA, the government agency that monitors safety issues, this feature could be standard on all vehicles by 2014.  Just as we've seen with center rear lights, air bags and anti-lock brakes (ABS), rear-view cameras will be on the standard features list of required safety features. While this may drive up the price of new vehicles, this is one safety that's really worth having! According to NHTSA the total approximate cost to equip every new-vehicle by 2014 with this feature, estimating 16.6 million vehicles being sold in 2014, would be between $1.9 billion and $2.7 billion for the auto industry as a whole.