Feds probe fuel leak in 250,000 Mercedes

Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau - 2 days

More than 250.000 Mercedes-Benz E-class luxury cars is a federal safety switch probe built in are aligned.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration works with the German manufacturer to see whether the fuel could step out a problem from the upper part of the gas tank in the luxury cars - accidentally due to repairs, which could have been caused during a previous recall.

NHTSA and Mercedes have so far about 533 by owners who claim to fuel a strong smell of petrol, usually after smell complaints.

The Detroit Bureau: Mercedes are looking for, start to the new X-class Microcar

"We take this issue seriously and cooperate with NHTSA," Mercedes said in a statement. "Neither we nor NHTSA have received any reports of fire, accidents or injuries."

A technical analysis is currently in progress, and finally to a recall by E-class models, which could create between 2003 and 2008 model years. There are indications that the issue makes the unintended result of repair, another problem, 2008 recall to fix the E-class-air pollution control to resolve may have been.

The investigation between 2003 and 2006 first focused on a small number of high performance Mercedes E55 AMG models. About 20 complaints, the small object model have been recorded. But the probe was expanded to also E320 E350, E500, EA550 and E63 AMG models include.

Almost 6,000 Mercedes vehicles which were with eight different models on a callback December last year due to a possible fire hazard involved. Security action by a faulty fuel filler flange caused to crack and spillage of gasoline in the tank could.

A who's - who of the automaker's recalls due to fuel spill and other fire related problems have faced in the past year. 2013 Split and leak gas, a wide range of Toyota products equipped with a faulty window switch these range from the Ford Escape, where a fuel line could that could overheat and cause a fire.

Copyright © 2009-2013, the Detroit Bureau

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Senator questions results of Toyota safety probe

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

"Key questions about the cause of the unintended acceleration remain unanswered" Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, wrote in a letter to NHTSA Director David Strickland.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau
Get Toyota too easily you after they are largely looking problems with so-called unintended acceleration by a couple of studies of the manufacturer was deleted?

This is a way of Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, who one letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, questioning the results of the two studies, which has sent for the agencies is raised, in particular may no one done by NASA, signs of electronic gremlins, that established Toyota vehicles, out of control to drive.

"Important issues about the cause of the unintended acceleration remain unanswered," wrote the veteran lawmaker in a letter to NHTSA Director David Strickland.

These questions were supported internal documents from a raft in the hands of the TheDetroitBureau.com suggest, that Toyota may be in fact even worried that yet still unknown problems with some it its products.

The NASA study and a second by the national academies of science failure to substantiate claims of Toyota critics, that the manufacturer of electronic engine controls may be the result of unintended acceleration - also known as sudden acceleration - where a vehicle out of control advised increase could lead possibly to a collision, injury or even death.

Toyota has been embroiled in a safety scandal when in October 2009 a California Highway Patrol officer and three family members were killed when a Lexus they were borrowing out of control, drove slipped a freeway, crashed and burned.

The manufacturer called back episode 8 million vehicles in a pair of reminds, mats a targeted so-called "carpet entrapment,", loose to where could the metal jam, and another related to potentially label accelerator of assemblies.

Lexus RX350 remember Toyota end carpet entrapment last month expanded to almost 134,000 additional vehicles, 2010 and include RX450h crossovers.

Despite the many parties involved in these two product recall - that its just some Toyota main assembly plants shut down while waiting for the necessary spare parts forced - critics of the manufacturer was vehicles that it had addressed not the big problem. But experts, including some NASA Panel also warned that it could prove almost impossible, electronic gremlins to follow, which could occur only sporadically and then without a trace disappear.

Some pointed to a phenomenon known as "tin whiskers," in which Nano size issues known to grow at central connecting points on electronic circuit boards. This possibility was raised repeatedly report NASA in the 177.

"This is a serious problem," Grassley wrote Strickland, questions in his letter to the NHTSA, how often and to what extent it was pursued.

Traditionally known for its apparent bullet-proof reliability, Toyota had some unexpected shots as a result of the economic crisis 2009-10 — the most important executives saw, which including CEO Akio Toyoda grilled by Congress and led to fines for the sticky Accelerator problem in a timely manner, prescribed by law respond to record.

The Agency has some penalty for themselves, as a result of the Toyota scandal. Internal documents showed that NHTSA on Toyota simply went by the fact that there is a previous callback to avoid, that the automaker millions of dollars saved. That one major reason Strickland agreed was to two independent studies Toyota's unintended acceleration problems to empower.

At the end of attributed to NASA and linked events - those not unique entrapment or sticky accelerators - to driver error carpet geratenen NAS the vast majority of the reported out of control car. In many cases, by evidence before, that in one case was secured a driver accidentally pressed so hard on the brake, the bent, instead of the accelerator.

But the studies a light window, suggesting that it could be left open Toyota unknown beating yet electronics.

A NHTSA spokesman said the Agency of the Senator has received the letter and "will to check it carefully and respond appropriately."

In the meantime continue to the various legal measures, Toyota of alleged victims working unintended acceleration before their way through the courts.

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Toyota Fire probe expanded to 1.4 million car

The Detroit Bureau

NHTSA has almost the Toyota doubled the number of vehicles, such as this 2007 Camry, now a possible fire danger involved investigation.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau
Investigators have Federal safety and large an investigation into a possible risk of fire which includes extended now approximately 1.4 million Toyota cars and sport utility vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking the automakers in reports, which switches the window where can drivers overheat side doors of a number of various Toyota models and catch fire. The problem was connected so far 161 fires and nine injuries.

The announcement of the expanded probe is also progressing the NHTSA with the probe almost 342.000 Chevrolet TrailBlazer on the basis of the reports of the door fires moves. And it comes days after the probe jeep was extended models to cover 5 million SUVs.

The Toyota probe was launched first in February and among 800,000 2007 Camry sedans and SUV RAV4. At the time, TheDetroitBureau.com reported that due to the Toyota practice of the widespread use of common components, was possible, that the probe would be expanded with other models.

That, the case with the NHTSA a alignment is now in fact more 800,000 vehicles, including some Yaris compact cars from model years 2007 to 2009, as well as the entire 2008 Highlander Hybrid SUV running. The NHTSA has also the probe to cover the Camry sedans produced in model years 2008 and 2009 and extended.

There were some sources report that the switches on other Toyota products, which means that the NHTSA could further extend the investigation could be used.

The probe has still not led to a recall and it is unclear whether it will follow. If so, that would be a possible setback for the Japanese automaker. Toyota fought with a number of important security issues in 2010 and 2011, although two independent areas finally deleted, the manufacturer of the electronic errors that could cause the so-called unintended acceleration problem.

Toyota, however not the only manufacturer for fire problems examined. Last week, the NHTSA announced that a probe into potential problems with rear-mounted gas tank has been expanded to cover more than 5 million Jeep vehicles.

And an investigation is now underway to determine to destroy the cause of a fire that consumed a garage in Texas, several luxury vehicles. Local investigators blame first the incident on one of these vehicles, a Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid, although the manufacturer, that preliminary conclusion denounced and has concerns that was the cause of the fire of suspicious origin.

In the meantime the NHTSA has shifted fires with the Chevy TrailBlazer now probe into reports of the door to the next level. A reported 341.786 vehicles are involved with the NHTSA indicates that it has received 83 complaints, including 28 reports of fires.

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Chrysler Fire probe expands to 5 million SUVs

The Detroit Bureau

This 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee is examined under the schemes.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau
Federal safety regulators have a checkpoint she started check whether millions of Chrysler made sports of utility vehicles face a disproportionately high risk catching fire in collisions rear-end almost two years ago, significantly expanded.

The national highway traffic safety investigation, started in August 2010, initially focused on 3 million Jeep Grand Cherokee between 1993 and 2004 produced. The Agency now has a 1993 to 2001 Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Liberty SUV further 2.1 million.

The problem seems, centered around the rear-mounted placement of the plastic gas tanks which used in the three models they more susceptible for catch can make fire. NHTSA has been 15 reported deaths and 41 injuries related to the potential problem.

According to an analysis of the Government, there is "a higher incidence of impact from the rear, fatal fire crashes for the Jeep products."

Chrysler officials to play down the problem though David Dillon, head of the Chrysler product investigations, confirmed in an interview with the Detroit News, "Grand Cherokee can have several of these events than their competitors." But overall, Dillon insisted "These vehicles essentially carry the same as their peers."

The investigation follows a complaint by the non-profit consumer group, the Center for auto safety, the placement of the gas tanks in these older Jeep off-road buggy. The tanks behind the rear axle - in the years past, generally usual - assembled, where they were allegedly prone to a following rear collision or rollover accident is dotted.

The CAS applied for the older versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee had deadly fire prices four times, the competitors - and six times higher than the newer models are not the subject of the investigation NHTSA. Chrysler denies these figures.

Like many other manufacturers, Jeep withdrew the gas tank models on its various Jeep forward of the rear axle and the protective framework in 2005.

Chrysler recognized that it numerous complaints in connection with Jeep fires without trial - when the plaintiff sign non-disclosure agreements demanding laid. The manufacturer also insisted that this is not abusive practice.

Separately, ordered NHTSA this week developing a callback liberty now cover Jeep about 350,000 SUVs from July 2003 to June 2007 produced. The service action is busy to excessive corrosion that road salt, leads to a failure of the rear suspension and possible vehicle damage can be caused.

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Feds probe Ford Tauruses for stuck throttles

U.S. safety regulators have opened an investigation into an estimated 360,000 Ford Taurus sedans for a potential problem with the throttle getting stuck in an open position.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is investigating the 2005 and 2006 model years.

The NHTSA  said on its website that 14 people have complained about the problem. No crashes or injuries have been reported, but several drivers said they felt unsafe when the throttles became stuck. One ran a red light and entered an intersection before the car could be stopped.

A preliminary investigation is the first step in a process that could lead to a recall if regulators determine that a manufacturer needs to address a safety issue.

The agency says the cruise control cable may become detached and hold the throttle open. Drivers have reported that it was hard to stop the car with the brakes, and several said they had to shut off the engine or shift into neutral to stop.

The investigation, opened last Wednesday, does not include a nearly identical car, the Mercury Sable. NHTSA posted documents outlining the probe on its website over the weekend. The investigation could lead to a recall, but so far none has been ordered.

Ford spokesman Daniel Pierce said the company is cooperating in the probe. He said the company was just notified of the investigation and he did not know why the Sable was not included.

One driver said in a complaint to NHTSA on Aug. 27, 2010 that a 2006 Taurus began to accelerate without any pressure on the gas pedal. The driver pushed the brakes to the maximum, but the car ran a red light and stopped halfway into an intersection. The engine revved until the driver shut off the car, and it revved again when it was restarted.

"This is an extremely dangerous situation," the driver wrote. "There needs to be something done about this before it becomes fatal."

On Nov. 27, 2011, a different driver reported that the brakes couldn't stop the car, which went through a red light and around two cars, reaching 70 mph (112 kph) before the driver put it in park and turned it off.

"Wow. The scariest thing I have ever experienced," the driver wrote. "If there was heavy traffic someone would have been killed, no doubt in my mind."

NHTSA said in the documents that it began investigating to assess the scope, frequency and safety-related consequences of the problem.

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Battery fires prompt govt probe of Chevy Volt

WASHINGTON — New fires involving the lithium-ion batteries in General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Volt have prompted an investigation to assess the risk of fire in the electric car after a serious crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.

One Volt battery pack that was being closely monitored following a government crash test caught fire Thursday, the safety administration said in a statement. Another recently crash-tested battery emitted smoke and sparks, the statement said.

GM, which was informed of the investigation on Friday, said in a statement that the Volt "is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash."

The latest fires are in addition to a battery fire in a crash-tested Volt six months ago.

NHTSA learned of a possible fire risk involving damaged Volt batteries when a fire erupted in a Volt that was being stored in a parking lot of a test facility in Burlington, Wis. The fire was severe enough to cause several other vehicles parked nearby to catch fire as well.

The car had been subjected to a side-impact crash test more than three weeks earlier, on May 12, during which the battery was punctured and its coolant line ruptured.

Last week's tests of three battery packs were designed to replicate the May test. In that test, the Volt was subjected to a simulated side-impact collision into a narrow object like a tree or pole followed by a rollover, the agency said.

The first battery tested last week didn't catch fire. But a battery test on Nov. 17 initially experienced a temporary temperature increase, and on Thursday caught fire while being monitored. Another battery tested on Nov. 18, which was rotated 180 degrees within hours after the test, began to smoke and emit sparks shortly after the rotation.

The tests were conducted by NHTSA and the Energy and Defense departments at a defense facility near Hampton Roads, Va.

So far, no fires have been reported in Volts involved in roadway crashes, NHTSA said. More than 5,000 of the vehicles have been sold.

It's too soon to tell whether the investigation will lead to a recall of any vehicles or parts, but the government will ensure consumers are informed promptly if that occurs, the agency said.

With its OnStar safety communications systems a part of the car, "GM knows real time about any crash significant enough to potentially compromise battery integrity," the automaker said. "Since July, GM has implemented a post-crash protocol that includes the depowering of the battery after a severe crash, returning the battery to a safe and low-powered state."

Electric vehicles are critical to President Barack Obama's plans to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil. He has called for putting 1 million of the vehicles on the road by 2015.

The Volt and Nissan's Leaf, with more than 8,000 cars on the road in the U.S., are among the first mass-marketed plug-in electric cars. They went on sale in the 2011 model year. Other automakers are also working on electric vehicles.

Safety testing hasn't raised concerns about electric vehicles other than the Volt, NHTSA said. But the agency is asking manufacturers who have electric cars on the market, or who plan to introduce electric vehicles in the near future, for more detailed information on their battery testing as well as what procedures they have established for discharging and handling batteries, including recommendations for reducing fire risks.

"NHTSA continues to believe that electric vehicles have incredible potential to save consumers money at the pump, help protect the environment, create jobs and strengthen national security by reducing our dependence on oil," the agency said.

After the first battery fire, GM officials complained that NHTSA did not drain the battery of energy as called for under the automaker's crash procedures. NHTSA normally drains fuel from gasoline-powered cars after crash tests, they said.

Lithium-ion batteries, which are rechargeable, have been the subject of several recalls of consumer electronics. Millions of laptop batteries made by Sony Corp. for Apple Inc., Dell Inc., Lenovo Group Ltd. and other PC makers were recalled in 2006 and 2007 after it was discovered that they could overheat and ignite.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning to airlines about the potential for fires in cargo containing lithium-ion and non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries after a United Parcel Service plane crashed near Dubai last year, killing both pilots. The plane, which was on fire, was carrying thousands of lithium batteries.

Incorrectly packaged, damaged or overheated batteries can catch fire, the FAA said. Fires involving lithium-ion batteries can reach 1,100 degrees, close to the melting point of aluminum, a key material in airplane construction. Lithium-metal battery fires are far hotter, capable of reaching 4,000 degrees.

GM and NHTSA have pointed out that cars with gasoline-powered engines are susceptible to fires after a crash.

In the event of a crash, NHTSA's advice to consumers is to do the same thing they would do in a gasoline-powered car — get out of the vehicle and move a safe distance away. The agency also recommends against storing a severely damaged electric car in a garage or near other vehicles.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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