Automotive News: Toyota to recall 744,000 Siennas for possible door malfunction, Auto coalition urges U.S. to adapt regulations for autonomous vehicles, Fire risk prompts Kia Sportage recall
Toyota to recall 744,000 Siennas for possible door malfunction
Toyota Motor North America is recalling about 744,000 Toyota Sienna minivans in the U.S. because a defect can cause the sliding doors to open while the vehicle is in motion.
The recall covers minivans from the 2011-16 model years, the automaker said today in a statement.
Toyota said that "under certain limited conditions" when the sliding door is "impeded," a motor fuse could be opened due to an overloaded circuit.
"If this occurs when the door latch is in an unlatched position, the door could open while driving, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant," Toyota said. read more »
Auto coalition urges U.S. to adapt regulations for autonomous vehicles
Ford, Google, Volvo, Uber and Lyft lead the charge
A group of automakers and tech firms advocating for autonomous vehicles has called on U.S. regulators to change federal auto safety standards that effectively prohibit the operation of a car without the presence of a driver.
The Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to amend certain Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that it says limit fully autonomous vehicles, the group said in a statement.
The group, whose founding members are Ford Motor Co., Google, Volvo, Uber and Lyft, also called on Congress to enact legislation to aid self-driving car deployment. read more »
Fire risk prompts Kia Sportage recall
Kia has recalled the 2008-2009 Sportage to address an electrical defect, affecting approximately 71,700 vehicles sold in the US market.
Improper sealing of a wire harness cover used for the hydraulic electronic control unit can allow moisture to enter the module. If the water is contaminated with road salt, it can cause an electrical short.
"If the HECU circuit board experiences a short circuit, a thermal event can result, including the possibility of an engine compartment fire," recall documents warn. "However, the presence of salt water in the HECU does not affect brake performance." read more »
