Safety

It used to be popular to say that today’s cars are nothing more than computers on wheels. However, it’s safe to say that’s an understatement. But with the advances in technology have come some homogenization (i.e. all cars are the same) and some excess (i.e. do we really need this).

The new frontier of automotive surveillance appears to have arrived. Texas now has garbage trucks (and other vehicles) equipped with AI-powered cameras that are supposed to evaluate properties to determine which Dallas residents need to be issued government fines. As the trucks run their usual route, the system is supposed to be giving each lot scores — which determine what kind of action the city might take against the relevant property owners.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost's coolant intrusion saga has been trundling through courtrooms in the U.S. and Canada for years. Now it may get a federal audience.

China’s recent decision to recall millions of vehicles not only highlights safety concerns about recessed door handles but also problems associated with replacing any traditional mechanical system with electronically dependent alternatives.

Somewhere out there, a father has decided that the safest thing to hand a newly licensed teenager is an old F-150 or an Excursion. The logic is straightforward: mass wins crashes, so pile on the mass. The counterargument, raised by plenty of people reading The Autopian, who saw the rapidly circulating social media post, is that a driver with roughly 40 hours of experience piloting a three-ton truck is its own hazard.

As if ridesharing apps haven't been detrimental enough to other road users—your Uber driver’s dashcam almost became a roving government snitch.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into nearly 1.2 million Tesla vehicles due to problems with the vehicles’ suspensions that can result in a loss of control of the vehicle.

When the first autonomous vehicles moved from the drawing boards to the test tracks, they were envisioned as not having steering wheels, gas pedals, etc. When Google, later Waymo, rolled out its early concept cars, the little eggs on wheels came sans controls.

For two decades now, automakers have worked to make it easier, and in theory safer, to change the radio station, adjust your seat while talking on the phone and driving. Touchscreens were supposed to take safety and convenience to the next level.

Next month, privacy groups are planning a “National Week of Action” against automated license plate readers. This comes after sustained criticisms against companies like Flock Safety.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is officially planning to update the United States’ Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) so that select vehicles will no longer require brake pedals. This is part of the Transportation Department’s most recent effort to help deregulate automobiles in a way that could benefit autonomous vehicles.

A recent study suggests that increases in average vehicle size have contributed to thousands of unnecessary pedestrian fatalities over the last few years.

Denver has found itself in a position where it needed to deactivate its automated traffic camera network and the timeout has reportedly resulted in a situation where auto thefts actually declined.

Privacy has become a major concern for people as modern technologies continue growing more invasive. Nowhere is this more apparent than within the automotive realm, as driver monitoring systems and roadside surveillance have been largely normalized.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into nearly 115,000 Rivian R1T and R1S vehicles after receiving complaints about a left rear toe link separation in some 2023 and 2024 model year vehicles.

Today's recall alert involves Kia's generally solid minivan -- the Carnival. This one involves 2022-2026 Kia Carnivals.

There's a recall out for several Genesis models, including the GV70, G90, G80, and GV80.

We have a recall alert for several Mercedes-Benz models.

Federal safety officials reported 36,640 people died on American roadways in 2025, a 6.7-percent decline compared with the previous year. Fatalities are at their lowest level since 2019, the year before the COVID pandemic.

The Ford recalls continue, this time with the 2025-2026 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick.

Today's recall alert involves the 2022-2024 Lexus LX.

The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending standardized performance requirements for automated vehicle technologies after determining that an "overreliance" of these systems contributed to two fatal crashes.

A handful of 2025 Bentley Bentaygas are under recall.

Today's recall alert involves the 2026 Hyundai Palisade.

We have a recall involving a slew of GM trucks, under both the Chevrolet and GMC brands.

There is pending legislation in Minnesota that would require all residents under the age of 21 to take the same driver’s education courses as teenagers in order to obtain a license.

Today's recall alert involves the 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S.

The ongoing investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in crashes involving Tesla vehicles while using Full Self-Driving is being escalated due to additional reports.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 48,165 units of the 2025–2026 Volkswagen Jetta due to an assembly issue with the electrical system.

Today's recall alert involves a few Audis and a previous recall. Some 2019 Audi Q8, Audi A7, and Audi A6 models are affected.

Today's recall alert involves 2012-2013 Buick Regal Turbos and GSs sold or registered in certain states.

Today's recall involves 2025-2026 Ford Explorers.

Today's recall notice involves the 2024 Acura ZDX and 2024 Honda Prologue.

Today's recall involves the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid.

We end the week with a recall of the 2025 Kia Telluride.

A bunch of BMW models are being recalled because of a potential electrical problem.

Today's recall alert involves van life with the 2025 Ford Transit.

Today's recall involves Fords and Lincolns.

Today's recall involves the 2025-2026 Lexus LX 600.

Today's recall involves the 2017 Volvo S60L.

Today's recall alert concerns several BMW models -- and one Toyota that shares a lot of its bones with a BMW.

Stellantis has issued a recall for 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokees.

Today's recall alert involves the 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra.

A whole slew of Kia models are under recall for possible instrument panel failure.

Today we have the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade being recalled.

Today's recall alert involves the 2025-2026 Lucid Gravity.

Today's recall involves the 2023-2025 Volkswagen ID.4

We have another recall alert, concerning 2022-2026 Lucid Air models.

We have a small recall involving the Rivian R1T and R1S.

General Motors is recalling about 81,000 examples of the 2025–2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV because the car may not be making enough noise when it’s creeping along. According to NHTSA, the pedestrian alert system doesn’t create a clear enough change in volume between a stop and low-speed movement, which means it may not adequately warn pedestrians that the vehicle is in motion. That puts it out of compliance with federal rules requiring EVs and hybrids to emit a minimum level of sound at low speeds.

A small number of 2014-2015 BMW 2-, 3-, and 4-Series vehicles are being recalled.

Today we have a very small recall involving the Ford Maverick Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid.

We have another recall for you, this time involving the 2024 GMC Canyon.

We have another recall for you, this one involving 2026 Ford Super Duty F-250 and F-350 models.

Today's recall involves the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan.

Today we have a recall for 2016-2020 Acura ILXs.

We have some 2025 Nissan and Infiniti models being recalled. Armadas, Muranos, and QX80s.

Today we have one of those small recalls -- fewer than 100 units -- for you.

Today's recall alert centers around the 2023 Bentley Bentayga.

Several Volvo models are being recalled.