Five months after Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 debacle began, the tech company is preparing to put the whole exploding phone thing in the past, starting with an inquiry into why the devices unexpectedly caught fire or began to smoke. [More]
Quality & Safety
3 Takata Execs Face Criminal Charges Over Handling Of Deadly Airbag Defect
By 1.13.17
For the second time in one week federal authorities have taken the rare step of bringing criminal charges against auto industry executives for alleged wrongdoing. Today, the Justice Department announced criminal indictments against a trio of execs at auto parts maker Takata for their involvement with the shrapnel-shooting airbags that have been linked to at least 11 deaths. [More]
Toyota Adds 544K Vehicles To Takata Airbag Recall
By 1.13.17
With Takata’s supposed $1 billion criminal settlement looming, another automaker announced plans to expand the number of its vehicles affected by the massive shrapnel-shooting airbag defect: Toyota will add 543,000 cars to the recall list. [More]
Guilty Plea, $1 Billion Penalty Expected In Deadly Takata Airbag Debacle
By 1.12.17
When it rains criminal settlements it apparently pours: auto parts maker Takata will reportedly plead guilty to criminal wrongdoing in the handling of its years-long shrapnel-shooting airbag defect debacle by the end of the week. [More]
eBay Using Pro Authenticators To Spot Counterfeit Items
By 1.12.17
Even though eBay is really just a middle-man, giving buyers and sellers a platform to transact business, it doesn’t want those buyers being conned into paying for counterfeit items, or sellers unloading potentially illegal knockoffs. [More]
Ford Adds 816K Vehicles To Takata Airbag Recall List
By 1.12.17
After what seemed like months with no additional vehicles being added to the ongoing shrapnel-shooting Takata airbag recall, we now have two in two days. The most recent coming from Ford, which added 816,000 vehicles to the list. [More]
Honda Adds 772K Vehicles To Takata Airbag Recall
By 1.11.17 — Updated: 1.16.17
Just when it seemed like carmakers had run out of vehicles to recall related to the deadly Takata airbag defect, more are added to the list: 772,000 Honda and Acura vehicles. [More]
Car Dealers Aren’t Great At Explaining New Safety Features To Buyers, Claims New Study
By 1.10.17 — Updated: 1.11.17
If you’re buying a new car, you expect the salesperson will hit you with all the impressive-sounding lingo and tech phrases that could possibly apply to a vehicle. However, a new report suggests that when it comes to informing car-buyers about new vehicle safety technologies, dealership sales staff might not have all the information. [More]
Video Shows Jimmy John’s Workers Using Dough As Jump Rope
By 1.10.17
When visiting a fast food restaurant for a bite to eat, we’re generally left in the dark about the goings-on behind the scenes. But every once in a while we get a glimpse of what’s happening in the kitchen, and it’s usually not that great — or sanitary. To that end: a new video appears to show workers at a Jimmy John’s restaurant in Florida using dough for anything other than making bread. [More]
Apple Issues MacBook Pro Battery Fix In Response To Consumer Reports Testing
By 1.10.17
Two weeks after our colleagues at Consumer Reports said they couldn’t recommend Apple’s new MacBook Pro after testing its battery and finding it wildly inconsistent, the company has released a fix designed to address the issue. [More]
Company That Makes American Airlines Uniforms Says Controversial Clothing Is Safe
By 1.10.17
The back and forth over American Airlines’ controversial new uniforms is continuing on into the new year: the company that makes the uniforms is defending the garments against thousands of flight attendants who say they’re causing itchy rashes and hives, asserting that they’re perfectly safe. [More]
Seasonal Twinkies And Other Snacks Recalled Due To Contaminated Milk Powder
By 1.10.17
The Great Powdered Milk Recall of 2016 is extending into 2017, affecting even more snack items with candy coating. Products included in this round were mostly marketed as holiday season treats, and have the potential to include a not-so-festive dose of Salmonella. [More]
VW Executive Arrested In Connection With ‘Dieselgate’ Scandal
By 1.9.17
Five months after investigators found evidence of criminal behavior at Volkswagen tied to “Dieselgate,” one executive with the carmaker has been arrested. [More]
Update: Philly Family With No Heat Says PGW Is Demanding $14K To Return Gas Meter
By 1.6.17
On Wednesday, we wrote about Consumerist reader Norma, whose family has been without gas service in Philadelphia — which means no heat — in their apartment for a few days. Since then, Norma says the local utility has demanded they pay $14,000 in order to get their meter returned and service turned back on. [More]
Tilikum, SeaWorld Whale From ‘Blackfish’ Documentary, Dies
By 1.6.17
After living for 25 years in captivity at SeaWorld, Tilikum, the orca whale chronicled in 2013 documentary Blackfish, has died, the park announced today. [More]
Uber User Claims Driver Beat Him And Left Him In “Pool Of Blood On The Pavement”
By 1.6.17
Increasingly popular ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft continue to be dogged by allegations of bad behavior by the drivers who use these popular platforms to connect with customers. The latest incident involves an Uber driver accused of assaulting a passenger after refusing to take him to his destination. [More]
Craftsman Tool Lovers Worried For Brand After $900M Sale To Black & Decker
By 1.5.17
In a bid to keep its sinking retail ship afloat, Sears on Thursday announced the sale of its iconic tool brand Craftsman to Black & Decker for a mere $900 million. But with the change of hands, many stalwart Craftsman lovers aren’t sure if they’ll be sticking with the brand in the future. [More]
More Than 125,000 People Call On Burger King, KFC, Starbucks & Others To Curb Antibiotics Use
By 1.5.17
While a handful of fast food chains have made at least some commitment to reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock, the majority of these restaurants still have no policy when it comes to this issue. This morning, CEOs of those companies are receiving a petition signed by more than 125,000, asking them to do their part to help prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. [More]
