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Vehicle safety

Police & Fire
Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With Kids In Car To Pull Over: Police Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With Kids In Car To Pull Over: Police
Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With Kids In Car To Pull Over: Police A Connecticut woman caught driving while drunk and with three children in her uninsured SUV could have caused a crash if not for a quick-thinking driver who forced her off the road, authorities said.  Michelle Bullett, 36, of Hartford, was arrested Tuesday night, Nov. 19, after multiple people called 911 to report an SUV swerving along I-91, Connecticut State Police said. The calls came in around 8 p.m. when her silver Volvo SUV was spotted swerving along the interstate near Exit 24 in Wethersfield. Police later found her pulled over near Exit 21 in Cromwell after another driver positi…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Stamford Driver Charged In Fatal Crash With Teenage Motorcyclist Stamford Driver Charged In Fatal Crash With Teenage Motorcyclist
Stamford Driver Charged In Fatal Crash With Teenage Motorcyclist A Connecticut man who crashed into a teenager earlier this year in Fairfield County has been charged with his death, authorities announced on Friday, Oct. 25.  Hector Rolando Lemus-Portillo, of Stamford, is charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle and failure to yield while turning left, police said. Because of their age, the 17-year-old was not identified.  Police said Lemus-Portillo was driving south on Lockwood Avenue in Stamford around 9:15 p.m. on May 17. The teenager was driving north on the same road.  Lemus-Portillo turned left onto William Stre…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
1 Killed, 2 Seriously Injured In Head-On CT Crash 1 Killed, 2 Seriously Injured In Head-On CT Crash
1 Killed, 2 Seriously Injured In Head-On CT Crash A Connecticut man was killed after allegedly driving erratically through several towns before crossing over the centerline and slamming head-on into another vehicle. The crash occurred in New Haven County around 3:50 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8, on South Turnpike Road in Wallingford. According to Connecticut State Police, 42-year-old Jonathan Garcia of Wallingford was followed by troopers after receiving multiple reports that his 2023 Cadillac Escalade was being driven erratically. While attempting to negotiate a right curve in the roadway, the Escalade crossed over the double yellow centerline …

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by Kathy Reakes
Business
Toyota Recalling 43K Vehicles Due To Faulty Tow Hitch Covers Toyota Recalling 43K Vehicles Due To Faulty Tow Hitch Covers
Toyota Recalling 43K Vehicles Due To Faulty Tow Hitch Covers Tens of thousands of Toyota SUVs are subject to a sizeable recall due to a faulty tow hitch cover that may increase the possibility of a crash, officials say. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a recall of approximately 43,400 Toyota Sequoia Hybrids that may have tow hitch covers that can detach from the bumper and fall into the roadway, causing a hazard for other drivers. Recalled models include vehicles produced in 2023 and 2024. "The subject vehicles are equipped with a resin tow hitch cover held in place by molded clips to the rear bumper," according t…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Nearly 50K Hyundai Vehicles Recalled Nationwide For Potentially Faulty Airbags Nearly 50K Hyundai Vehicles Recalled Nationwide For Potentially Faulty Airbags
Nearly 50K Hyundai Vehicles Recalled Nationwide For Potentially Faulty Airbags Tens of thousands of Hyundai SUVs are being recalled across the country in response to a situation that may affect their airbags' functionality. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced this week that 40,144 Hyundai Santa Fe ICE vehicles and 9,575 Hyundai Santa Fe HEV vehicles are subject to a nationwide recall due to the faulty airbags. All of the vehicles were produced in 2024. According to the NHTSA, the main floor wire harness used in the recalled SUVs can become damaged due to unexpected contact with the passenger-side, second-row bench seat's folding hinge…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Construction Worker Killed By Reckless Driver On CT Roadway, Police Say Construction Worker Killed By Reckless Driver On CT Roadway, Police Say
Construction Worker Killed By Reckless Driver On CT Roadway, Police Say A Connecticut man is being held on a $1 million bond after hitting and killing a construction worker in a crash while allegedly driving recklessly.  Hartford County resident Jose Diaz-Nieves, age 54, of East Hartford, was killed around 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 12, after being hit by a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Tommy Nguyen, of Hartford. According to Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police, patrol officers responded to the area of West Boulevard at South Whitney Street on a report of a construction worker struck by a vehicle.  Officers located Diaz-Nieves, who s…

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by Kathy Reakes
Police & Fire
CO Scares Prompts New Canaan Fire To Remind Residents To Turn Off Vehicles In Garage CO Scares Prompts New Canaan Fire To Remind Residents To Turn Off Vehicles In Garage
CO Scares Prompts New Canaan Fire To Remind Residents To Turn Off Vehicles In Garage With two recent calls for carbon monoxide gas incidents at homes, a Fairfield County fire department reminds residents to turn off their vehicles in the garage. The New Canaan Fire Department responded to two carbon monoxide (CO) gas incidents on Sunday,  April 21, caused by cars left running in the garage.  New Canaan Fire Chief Albe Bassett said the CO levels in the house could be dangerous and cause serious health effects. One person was transported to the hospital for evaluation. "Today’s technologies of remote staring and keyless fobs present challenges," Bassett s…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Toyota Recalling 1.8M RAV4s Over Hazardous Batteries Toyota Recalling 1.8M RAV4s Over Hazardous Batteries
Toyota Recalling 1.8M RAV4s Over Hazardous Batteries Toyota is recalling more than 1.8 million of its RAV4s over hazardous batteries. According to a press release issued on Wednesday, Nov. 1, some replacement 12-volt batteries of the size specified for 2013 to 2018 RAV4 models have smaller top dimensions than others. If a small-top battery is used for replacement and the hold-down clamp is not tightened correctly, the battery could move and potentially short-circuit, increasing risk of a fire. "Toyota is currently preparing the remedy," the statement reads. "When the remedy is available, Toyota dealers will replace the battery hold-down…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Rollaway Risk Prompts Recall Of Over 230K Ford Explorers Rollaway Risk Prompts Recall Of Over 230K Ford Explorers
Rollaway Risk Prompts Recall Of Over 230K Ford Explorers Ford is recalling 238,000 of one of its best-selling SUVs over concerns that a defect could increase the chance of more crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced.   The recall is for 2020-2022 Ford Explorers. A rear axle mounting bolt is at risk of breaking and could cause the driveshaft to disconnect, the NHTSA said. If this happened while the SUV was in park, the vehicle would roll away.  "A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied," the federal regulator said in a lette…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
BMW Issues 'Do Not Drive' Warning For Certain Models Due To Potentially Deadly Airbags BMW Issues 'Do Not Drive' Warning For Certain Models Due To Potentially Deadly Airbags
BMW Issues 'Do Not Drive' Warning For Certain Models Due To Potentially Deadly Airbags Some BMW owners are being advised to not drive their vehicles due to potentially dangerous airbags that could pose a safety risk. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an alert on Thursday, May 4, advising that BMW has issued a “Do Not Drive” warning that pertains to nearly 100,000 vehicles that were produced between 2000 and 2006. Vehicles included in the new order were already subject to a previous recall for defective Takata air bags, which have caused headaches for automakers for years. According to the NHTSA, the BMW vehicles in question are some of t…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Ford Recalls Vehicles Due To Under-Hood Fire Risk Ford Recalls Vehicles Due To Under-Hood Fire Risk
Ford Recalls Vehicles Due To Under-Hood Fire Risk Ford is recalling some 2021 Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators over a defect that could spark fires under the hoods. The recall involves more than 66,000 vehicles in the US built between July 2020 and August 2021. At issue is a printed circuit board that is “uniquely susceptible to a high-current short” and was installed on the models during that time period, according to Ford. So far, there have been at least 21 reports of under-hood fires, including 18 involving vehicles owned by rental companies, Ford said. The defect has even affected vehicles that were parked and turned off. The com…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
270,000 SUVs Recalled Due To Rollaway Risk 270,000 SUVs Recalled Due To Rollaway Risk
270,000 SUVs Recalled Due To Rollaway Risk Chrysler is recalling more than 270,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles because of a malfunction that could cause the cars to rollaway.   The manufacturer said the models antilock-brake system (ABS) module "may illuminate the brake lights, and allow the vehicle to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied."  These modules were installed in the vehicles built between June 10, 2018 to April 30, 2019, according to the recall filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The recall accounts for 211,934 Gr…

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by David Cifarelli
Lifestyle
Ford Recalling Nearly 3 Million Vehicles Over Rollaway Concerns Ford Recalling Nearly 3 Million Vehicles Over Rollaway Concerns
Ford Recalling Nearly 3 Million Vehicles Over Rollaway Concerns Ford announced a recall of nearly three million vehicles that may have gear-shifting issues that could cause them to move in an unintended direction upon parking. “Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wrote in its report. "The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.” A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause t…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Recall Issued For Polaris Recreational Off-Road Vehicles Due To Fire Hazard Recall Issued For Polaris Recreational Off-Road Vehicles Due To Fire Hazard
Recall Issued For Polaris Recreational Off-Road Vehicles Due To Fire Hazard Polaris is recalling two of its off-road vehicles over concerns they may pose a fire danger, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced. The recall affects certain VINs of the company’s 2022 RZR Pro 4 Premium and Ultimate vehicles. Around 1,100 of the vehicles were sold at Polaris dealers across the US between May 2021 and April 2022, CPSC said. An incorrectly routed battery cable is to blame, which can contact the prop shaft during use, potentially resulting in an electrical short and fire, CPSC said. No fires have been reported so far, but one customer reported that a vehicle lost…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Ford Recalls Hundreds Of Thousands Of SUVs Due To Rollaway Risk Ford Recalls Hundreds Of Thousands Of SUVs Due To Rollaway Risk
Ford Recalls Hundreds Of Thousands Of SUVs Due To Rollaway Risk Ford is recalling more than a quarter-million SUVs because they may roll away unexpectedly while in the "park" gear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a total of 252,936 2020-2022 Explorers are included in the recall. The specific makes are as follows: FORD/EXPLORER/2020-2022 FORD/EXPLORER HYBRID/2020-2022 FORD/EXPLORER INTERCEPT HYBRID/2020-2021 FORD/EXPLORER PHEV/2020-2022 FORD/EXPLORER POLICE INTERCEPT/2020-2021 "The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect," the NHTSA said. "A disconnected driveshaft can result i…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Recall Issued For Yamaha Off-Road Motorcycles Due To Crash Hazard Recall Issued For Yamaha Off-Road Motorcycles Due To Crash Hazard
Recall Issued For Yamaha Off-Road Motorcycles Due To Crash Hazard Yamaha is recalling about a brand of off-road motorcycles because they pose a crash risk,  the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced. The products were sold at Yamaha dealers nationwide from July 2021 through January 2022 for between $6,900 and $7,100. This recall involves motorcycles with the model numbers YZ125N2L and YZ125N2ME. The model number is printed on the right and left side of the motorcycle. The affected vehicles are in the following VIN range: ***CE34C***000301 through ***CE34C***004096. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is stamped on the frame st…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Ford Recalls 47,000 Pickup Trucks Because Transmission Can Suddenly Go Into Neutral Ford Recalls 47,000 Pickup Trucks Because Transmission Can Suddenly Go Into Neutral
Ford Recalls 47,000 Pickup Trucks Because Transmission Can Suddenly Go Into Neutral Nearly 50,000 Ford pickup trucks are being recalled due to transmission issues that could potentially increase the risk of crashing, officials announced. The auto giant announced that it is recalling certain 2021 F-150 pickup trucks due to transmissions that could unexpectedly shift into neutral while in motion. According to the company, the problem is due to an error in the transmission’s software. It could cause owners to suffer a loss of vehicle power and a wrench symbol illuminated on the dashboard near the speedometer. Once the vehicle is stopped, it may automatically go into “Park."…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Ford Recalls 215,000 Pickup Trucks, SUVs Ford Recalls 215,000 Pickup Trucks, SUVs
Ford Recalls 215,000 Pickup Trucks, SUVs Ford is recalling upwards of 215,000 pickup trucks and large SUVs sold in the US and Canada that could have leaking brake fluid that impacts stopping distances for drivers. The recall includes Ford F-150 pickup trucks produced between 2016 and 2018, and Ford Expedition Navigator SUV models from 2016 and 2017. All recalled vehicles have a 3.5-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, according to the motor company. According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fluid can leak from the brake master cylinder, which can increase brake pedal travel, requiring greater …

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by Zak Failla
Business
BMW Recalls More Than 900,000 Vehicles Due To Engine Fire Risk BMW Recalls More Than 900,000 Vehicles Due To Engine Fire Risk
BMW Recalls More Than 900,000 Vehicles Due To Engine Fire Risk BMW announced a third recall of more than 900,000 cars and SUVs due to an ongoing faulty valve heater that has been known to potentially cause engine fires. The recall covers 917,106 vehicles that are equipped with a Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve heater, which can cause a short-circuit, which could potentially lead to fires or malfunctions. This marks the third time the German auto giant has issued a recall for the recurring issue in 2017 and 2019. Earlier story - BMW Recalls 1 Million Vehicles Due To Fire Risk The recall includes many 3 Series, 5 Series, 1 Series, X5, X…

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by Zak Failla
News
Buckle Up: New CT Seat Belt Law To Go Into Effect This Week; Here's What To Know Buckle Up: New CT Seat Belt Law To Go Into Effect This Week; Here's What To Know
Buckle Up: New CT Seat Belt Law To Go Into Effect This Week; Here's What To Know A new Connecticut law requiring all vehicle passengers to wear seat belts is set to go into effect later this week. Beginning Friday, Oct. 1, all passengers will be required to buckle up, including those in the back seat of the vehicle, Gov. Ned Lamont said. The previous law only required rear-seat passengers under the age of 16 to buckle their seat belts.  “Connecticut was one of the first states to pass a mandatory seat belt law more than 30 years ago, however it only applied to drivers and front-seat passengers,” Lamont said in a statement. “I applaud and recognize the efforts of t…

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by Nicole Valinote
Business
GM Recalls Vehicle For Second Time Due To Battery Defect That Can Cause Fires GM Recalls Vehicle For Second Time Due To Battery Defect That Can Cause Fires
GM Recalls Vehicle For Second Time Due To Battery Defect That Can Cause Fires General Motors has issued a new recall of one of its vehicles due to battery defects that can lead to a risk of fires. The company is recalling 50,932 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles that were covered under a previous recall announced in November of 2020 and revised in May of 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA said its received reports of "one fire with the interim remedy and two fires with the final remedy." GM said it will replace the defective battery modules. In the meantime, the company is asking customers to take the following safe…

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by Nicole Valinote
Business
Ford Recalls More Than 850K Vehicles After Injuries Reported Ford Recalls More Than 850K Vehicles After Injuries Reported
Ford Recalls More Than 850K Vehicles After Injuries Reported Ford Motor Company has announced three safety recalls that involve more than 850,000 vehicles. The largest of the three recalls is involves more than 774,600 2013-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles, Ford said on Friday, July 16. The company said drivers could experience problems with a fractured rear suspension toe link, which diminishes a driver's steering control and increases the risk of crashing. Ford said it has received six reports of injuries related to this issue in North America.  Ford is also recalling about 40,995 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles because the battery ca…

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by Nicole Valinote
Business
Ford Issues Recall For Vehicles Due To Explosive Airbags Ford Issues Recall For Vehicles Due To Explosive Airbags
Ford Issues Recall For Vehicles Due To Explosive Airbags Ford has lost track of some potentially dangerous airbags that can explode, hurling deadly shrapnel at drivers, prompting a recall approximately150,000 vehicles. The auto manufacturer announced this week that the company lost track of nearly four dozen airbags that may have been installed in older Ranger pickup trucks and could be a potential hazard for motorists. According to Ford, the airbags were not taken out of the stock of service parts and could have been used in crash or theft repairs. In total, more than 153,000 Rangers manufactured between 2004 and 2011 are covered in the recall…

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by Zak Failla
News
Toyota Issues Recall For 1.2 Million Vehicles Toyota Issues Recall For 1.2 Million Vehicles
Toyota Issues Recall For 1.2 Million Vehicles More than a million Toyota vehicles are being recalled due to fuel pumps that could potentially fail and cause engines to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota announced that it is recalling nearly 1.2 million vehicles due to the faulty fuel pumps, impacting dozens of models. The latest recall comes after the Japanese automaker recalled approximately 700,000 vehicles earlier this year. The recall covers certain Toyota and Lexus cars and trucks that were produced between 2013 and 2019: 2013-2015 Lexus LS 460;  2013-2014 Lexus GS 350 ; 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser and Lexus IS-F;&nbs…

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by Zak Failla
News
Nissan Recalls 346,000 Vehicles Nissan Recalls 346,000 Vehicles
Nissan Recalls 346,000 Vehicles Nissan announced that it is recalling nearly 346,000 vehicles worldwide due to potentially Takata airbag inflators that forced millions of cars to be recalled. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Takata used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion and inflate airbags in a collision. But the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures and humidity and blow apart a metal canister, spewing out shrapnel. The issue has forced the recall of tens of millions of vehicles from various manufacturers across the globe. The latest recall fro…

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by Zak Failla
News
Recall Issued For Nearly 700,000 Toyota Vehicles Recall Issued For Nearly 700,000 Toyota Vehicles
Recall Issued For Nearly 700,000 Toyota Vehicles Hundreds of thousands of Toyota vehicles are being recalled due to fuel pumps that could potentially fail and cause engines to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota announced that it is recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles due to the faulty fuel pumps, impacting dozens of models. The recall covers certain 2018 and 2019 Lexus LS 500, LC 500, RC 350, RC 300, GS 350, IS 300, ES 350, LX 570, GX 460 and RX 350 models. It also includes some 2018 and 2019 models of Toyota 4Runner, Camry, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra Avalon, and Corolla models. According to T…

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by Zak Failla
News
Ford Recalls 600,000 Cars After 15 Crashes Ford Recalls 600,000 Cars After 15 Crashes
Ford Recalls 600,000 Cars After 15 Crashes Ford Motor announced that it is recalling more than 600,000 older model vehicles that have a brake issue that has led to 15 reported crashes nationwide. The safety recall includes 600,166 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ sedans from produced between 2006 and 2010 that were built at Ford’s Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico between Feb. 22, 2006, and July 15, 2009. Ford says a valve that is normally closed inside the hydraulic control unit may get stuck in the open position or be slow to close, which could make it harder to engage the brakes and increase …

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Mercedes Crashes Through Wall Of Fairfield Business, Drives Out Other Side Mercedes Crashes Through Wall Of Fairfield Business, Drives Out Other Side
Mercedes Crashes Through Wall Of Fairfield Business, Drives Out Other Side A Mercedes-Benz crashed through a Fairfield business and drove right out the other side after an employee hit the gas instead of the brake when the vehicle began to roll backward. The incident took place around 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 14, at the Fairfield Collision Center on Linwood Avenue, said the Fairfield Fire Department. When Fairfield firefighters arrived on the scene they found the driver still in the vehicle with an unsecured precast concrete panel teetering nearby, the department said. Where the vehicle came to rest.Fairfield Fire Department Emergency responders secured the 500-p…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
3.4M GM SUVs, Pickup Trucks Recalled Due To Brake Problem 3.4M GM SUVs, Pickup Trucks Recalled Due To Brake Problem
3.4M GM SUVs, Pickup Trucks Recalled Due To Brake Problem Facing pressure from the federal government, General Motors is recalling more than 3.4 million pickup trucks and SUVs nationwide that may have potential brake problems. The recall includes Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup models from 2014 through 2018, as well as Cadillac Escalade models from 2015 to 2017, and the GMC Yukon, Chevy Suburban and Tahoe models from 2015 through 2018. According to GM, as the pump in power-assisted brakes age, they may put out less power than needed, increasing stopping distance and the risk of a crash. The recall comes following a…

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by Zak Failla
News
Toyota Recalls 14K Vehicles Due To Faulty Backup Cameras Toyota Recalls 14K Vehicles Due To Faulty Backup Cameras
Toyota Recalls 14K Vehicles Due To Faulty Backup Cameras Toyota is recalling more than 14,000 RAV4 models due to potentially faulty rearview cameras. The company announced that it is recalling 14,215 of its 2019 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid SUVs because their rearview cameras may not activate when the car is put in Reverse, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles subject to recall were produced between May 27 and July 27 this year. As of May 1 last year, all new passenger cars, SUVs, and pickups are required to have a 10x20-foot zone of visibility behind them, typically by having a built-in rearview camera…

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by Zak Failla
News
Automaker Adds Rear-Door Alert To Prevent Hot Car Deaths Of Children Automaker Adds Rear-Door Alert To Prevent Hot Car Deaths Of Children
Automaker Adds Rear-Door Alert To Prevent Hot Car Deaths Of Children Following the deaths of twins from the area who were left in a hot car eight hours in New York City, a prominent American automaker is introducing new technology to prevent more tragedies. Nissan is looking to introduce a “rear door alert” that could help save the life of a child left inside a hot vehicle, which would provide a warning sound that is now standard on 10 of its 2019 models, with that tech expected to be expanded. Last year, there were 52 deaths that were reportedly related to children left in hot vehicles. According to the company, the rear door alert technology will monitor …

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by Zak Failla