National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) News

Traffic Deaths Up 10.5% in First Three Months of 2021

New data shows a sustained increase in U.S. traffic deaths that regulators ascribe to impaired driving, speeding, a failure to wear seats beats and other unsafe behavior since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration …

Safety Regulator Reports 12th Tesla Autopilot Car Crash Involving Emergency Vehicle

U.S. auto safety regulators on Wednesday said they had identified a 12th crash involving Tesla Inc. vehicles using advanced driver assistance systems in incidents involving emergency vehicles and demanded the automaker answer detailed questions about its Autopilot system. The National …

Safety Agency Opens Preliminary Probe of Mercedes Delivery Vans Used by Amazon

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Friday it has opened a preliminary investigation into reports some 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, configured for use as Amazon.com Inc delivery vehicles or ambulances, roll away shortly after being shifted to park. …

Tesla Loses Top Safety Rankings From IIHS, Consumer Reports

Two key groups that offer automobile safety ratings are yanking their top endorsements from some Tesla vehicles because the company has stopped using radar on its safety systems. Consumer Reports pulled its “Top Pick” status for Tesla’s Model 3 and …

Senators File Bill to Mandate Driver Monitoring Systems

Three Democratic U.S. senators on Monday said they are introducing legislation that would require U.S. regulators to mandate installation of driver-monitoring systems to ensure motorists pay attention while using systems like Tesla’s Autopilot. Senators Ed Markey, Richard Blumenthal and Amy …

19th U.S. Death Tied to Takata Air Bag Reported in South Carolina

Honda Motor Co said on Wednesday it had confirmed the 19th U.S. death tied to a ruptured Takata air bag inflator since 2009 — and the 16th in one of its vehicles. The Japanese automaker said that following a joint …

U.S. Safety Agency Investigates Air Bags Made by Takata Successor Joyson

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating potentially faulty air bags made by Joyson Safety Systems, the successor to defunct manufacturer Takata Corp. that is at the center of one of the biggest recalls in history. The agency, …

Feds Investigating Tesla/Police Cruiser Crash in Michigan

For the second time in a week, the U.S. government’s road safety agency is sending a team to investigate a Tesla crash in Michigan. This time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is sending a special crash investigation team because …

Safety Agency Has 23 Active Tesla Crash Investigations

The U.S. auto safety agency disclosed on Thursday it has opened 27 investigations into crashes of Tesla vehicles, 23 of which remain active, and at least three of the crashes occurred in recent weeks. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration …

Reuters Exclusive: Safety Regulators Reviewed Concerns Over GM Steering Sensor

U.S. automotive safety regulators reviewed evidence related to an allegedly defective steering sensor that was used in roughly 778,000 older General Motors Co vehicles but ultimately decided against opening a formal investigation into the matter. The National Highway Traffic Safety …