Six months after a judge rejected Uber’s claim that it wasn’t responsible for its drivers’ actions after they turned the ride-hailing service app off, the company has settled with two passengers who sued it for hiring drivers accused of sexually assaulted them. The court didn’t reveal the terms of the settlement. [More]
Quality & Safety
Report: Takata Could File Bankruptcy Of U.S. Assets, But It Won’t Happen Soon
By 11.4.16
Weeks after Japanese parts maker Takata reportedly began mulling the idea of restructuring through a sale that could include a bankruptcy filing amid the prospect of being saddled with billions of dollars in costs the company faces linked to its massive shrapnel-shooting airbag debacle, we’re learning more about what exactly the bankruptcy prospect means. [More]
Samsung Banning Galaxy Note 7 Devices From Connecting To Networks In New Zealand
By 11.4.16
If you haven’t already turned in your potentially explosive, recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7, now is the time: Samsung plans to disconnect the phones from cellular networks — at least in New Zealand. [More]
Samsung Recalls 2.8 Million Top-Loading Washing Machines Because You Shouldn’t Break Your Jaw Doing The Laundry
By 11.4.16
Back in September, federal safety regulators advised owners of Samsung washing machine owners to go easy on their heavy laundry loads after several folks had complained about violent, almost explosive, vibrations. Now, more than a month later, Samsung is recalling nearly 3 million machines and disclosing that these washers have done some significant damage to users — like breaking one person’s jaw. [More]
8 Things We Learned About Allegiant’s History Of Scary Midair Mechanical Failures
By 11.3.16 — Updated: 11.4.16
When you book a ticket on a discount airline, you might expect no-frills service in the cabin, but you don’t expect to be getting on a plane that’s any less safe than the more expensive competition. Yet after complaints from pilots and increased scrutiny from the FAA, the Tampa Bay Times crunched a lot of data and figured out that yes, Allegiant’s planes fail more than the U.S. average. [More]
Lawsuit: Royal Caribbean Didn’t Try To Save Man Who Died After Falling Overboard On Cruise
By 11.3.16
The husband of a man who died after falling overboard on a Royal Caribbean cruise is now suing, claiming the company didn’t make any efforts to save him or to retrieve his body. [More]
Are Explosion-Proof Batteries On The Way?
By 11.3.16
Between Samsung’s massive Galaxy Note 7 recall, hoverboards that catch fire, and e-cigarettes that unexpectedly combust, there has been no shortage of dangerous examples that suggest some batteries — specifically of the lithium-ion type — found in popular electronics are susceptible to explosions. Now, scientists are working to create a safer alternative power source. [More]
After $4.8M In Property Damage, Millions Of Dehumidifiers Recalled
By 11.3.16
Dehumidifiers are meant to protect homes from mold and mildew, not burn them down. Yet, that’s apparently a possibility for 3.4 million dehumidifiers — covering dozens of brands, including GE, Honeywell, Kenmore, and Sunbeam — that are being recalled after being linked to $4.8 million in property damage. [More]
Honda Needs To Do More About Cars With Explosive Airbags
By 11.2.16 — Updated: 11.3.16
Five months ago, tests revealed that each time certain older model Honda and Acura vehicles’ Takata airbags deploy, there’s up to a 50% chance that it will rupture, shooting shrapnel at drivers and passengers. Yet, according to federal safety regulators, more than 300,000 of these vehicles — deemed to be at the most risk for explosions — have yet to be fixed, and that’s a problem. [More]
Feds Deny Petition To Recall 850,000 Nissans Over Transmission Issue
By 11.1.16
Four years after a consumer group asked federal safety regulators to recall more than 850,000 Nissan vehicles based on hundreds of owner complaints that the cars would unexpectedly lose speed or stall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration declined to pursue the issue, despite finding there was a mechanical problem with the vehicle transmissions. [More]
Opioid Poisonings In Toddlers & Teens Tripled Over 15-Year Period
By 10.31.16
We’ve already seen how the opioid epidemic has spread like wildfire in the U.S. since the late ’90s, but a new study shows how children of every age group are increasingly being exposed (and exposing themselves) to dangerous levels of these painkillers. [More]
One Woman Dead In Hawaii Scallops Hepatitis A Outbreak
By 10.28.16
The likely 50-day incubation period is over, and there have been no new cases of hepatitis A linked to contaminated scallops served at sushi restaurants in Hawaii since Oct. 9. The state reports that two people who were infected with the linked strain of hepatitis have died, though only one patient’s death was due to the infection. [More]
BMW Recalls 136K Vehicles Over Stalling Issues
By 10.28.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
You can’t go anywhere — or at least get far — if the engine in your car stalls. For that reason, BMW recalled more than 135,000 vehicles that could contain a wiring issue. [More]
Soylent Stops Sale Of Meal-Replacement Powder After Customers Report Becoming Ill
By 10.28.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Earlier this month, meal replacement startup Soylent announced that it would voluntarily stop selling its new-to-market Soylent nutrition bar after receiving reports from customers who became ill after consuming the snack. Now, the company says it will expand that action to include certain meal-replacement powder after receiving similar issues. [More]
Lawsuit Against Amazon Claims Exploding Hoverboard Destroyed Family’s Home
By 10.27.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
For most people, so-called hoverboards were just a fad, one many didn’t think much about after a serious of fiery incidents involving the electric scooters prompted the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall half a million of the devices over safety concerns. But it was more than a trendy fad to be forgotten for others, like one Tennessee family that’s claiming a scooter sold by Amazon was responsible for destroying their home. [More]
Ford Issues Trio Of Recalls Over Fire Risks, Leaks
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Vehicles are not supposed to leak fuel or oil. Still, several models of Ford vehicles apparently include those issues, leading the carmaker to announce three recalls covering nearly 500,000 vehicles. [More]
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Shuts Down River Ride After Fatal Incident In Australia
By 10.26.16
After four people were killed on a river ride at an Australian amusement park on Tuesday, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has shut down a similar attraction “out of an abundance of caution.” [More]
Subaru Recalls 100K Vehicles Over Fire Concerns
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
One of the last things you might expect when driving your vehicle is for it to catch on fire. But that’s apparently a concern for more than 100,000 Subaru vehicles now under recall. [More]
