Weeks after European regulators announced they were opening an investigation into Google’s requirements that Android-based devices come pre-loaded with Google apps, the tech company is reportedly poised to put a second, longer-running European antitrust case related to its search behind it, to the tune of a $3.4 billion fine. [More]
investigation
Mitsubishi Says Fuel Mileage Falsified In All Vehicles Sold In Japan; U.S. Regulators Order Additional Tests
By 5.11.16
Last month, Mitsubishi admitted to falsifying fuel data on some vehicles sold in Japan for more than 25 years, leading to an ongoing probe by U.S. regulators. Now, that investigation is being expanded following the automaker’s acknowledgement that it fabricated the fuel economy data on all models sold in Japan. [More]
Massive Frozen Vegetable Recall Linked To 2 Deaths, 8 Illnesses
By 5.6.16
Federal health and safety regulators have opened an investigation into a listeria outbreak related to the recent recall of more than 350 different varieties and brands of frozen vegetables after eight people from three states — two who later died — became infected with strains of the bacteria. [More]
Nissan Recalls 3.7M Vehicles Over Airbag issues
By 5.2.16
Two years after recalling 1 million vehicles because of faulty airbags, and a year after federal regulators questioned whether that fix had worked, Nissan is giving the whole airbag recall thing another shot: recalling 3.7 million vehicles that contain airbags that might not deploy properly in the event of a crash. [More]
Regulators Widen Investigation Into Google’s Pre-Loaded Android Apps
By 4.27.16
A week after European regulators announced an investigation into Google’s requirements that Android-based devices come pre-loaded with Google apps, a similar stateside probe is finally getting off the ground. [More]
VW Exec Created A Power Point Presentation On How To Cheat Emissions Tests In 2006
By 4.27.16
Back in September, shortly after Volkswagen admitted it had equipped 11 million vehicles worldwide with “defeat devices” in order to evade emissions tests, an internal investigation found that some employees of the carmaker knew of the illegal software in 2011. But, according to a new report, at least one person with the company knew how to cheat emissions tests in 2006, and that person allegedly created a study guide of sorts to share his information. [More]
Mitsubishi Admits Falsifying Fuel Data On Some Vehicles For Nearly 25 Years
By 4.26.16
Automaker Mitsubishi recently admitted to fudging fuel mileage data for more than 600,000 vehicles sold in Japan, leading to an ongoing probe by U.S. regulators. Those investigators may now have a lot more paperwork to sift through, after Mitsubishi’s latest revelation. [More]
Daimler Reviewing U.S. Emissions Certification Process
By 4.22.16
Shortly after it was revealed that Volkswagen equipped 11 million diesel-engine vehicles worldwide with emissions-cheating “defeat devices,” rumors began swirling that similar irregularities were present in Daimler vehicles. While the carmaker hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing by regulators, it announced today that it would review its emissions certification process and investigate possibly issues. [More]
Federal & State Agencies Probing High Lead Levels In Cra-Z-Art Jewelry Kits
By 4.22.16
Under federal law, the acceptable level of lead that can be present in a product is capped at 100 parts per million. A recent investigation by the New York Attorney General’s office found 10 times that level of lead in certain children’s jewelry toys sold by national retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon, and now federal regulators have opened a probe into the crafts. [More]
84 Million Airbags Could Be Added To Recall If Takata Can’t Prove Inflators Are Safe
By 4.15.16
More than 28 million Takata airbags have already been recalled after they were found to deploy with such force that pieces of shrapnel shoot at drivers and passengers. Regulators now say that figure could increase by 84 million airbags if the Japanese auto parts maker can’t prove other inflators are safe. [More]
Carrier Must Pay $51M For Allegedly Defrauding Lifeline Program
By 4.8.16
The Federal Communications Commission plans to fine Total Call Mobile $51.1 million after alleging the carrier fraudulently collected payments from a program that subsidizes wireless service for low-income consumers. [More]
Massachusetts Sues ITT Technical Institute For Allegedly Harassing, Misleading Students
By 4.4.16
Trouble continues to mount for ITT Educational Services. The for-profit college operator behind the ITT Technical Institute chain is already under investigation over concerns it may have defrauded the federal government, and now faces a lawsuit from the Massachusetts Attorney General for allegedly engaging in a slew of abusive and misleading practices. [More]
Regulators Investigating 420,000 Ford Trucks For Brake Failure Issue
By 3.4.16
After receiving dozens of complaints from consumers about brake failure, federal regulators have opened a probe into 420,000 of Ford’s most popular truck brand, the F-150. [More]
Herbalife Working On Settlement To Resolve FTC Investigation Into Business Practices
By 2.26.16
Nearly two years ago nutritional company Herbalife revealed that it was under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission for its often controversial business practices, or what some people claim is a pyramid scheme. Now, it looks like the company is ready to put the federal probe behind it. [More]
Investigators: Deadly Takata Airbag Explosions Caused By Mix Of 3 Factors
By 2.23.16
For nearly a year, federal regulators and researchers have pointed the finger at the volatile chemical ammonium nitrate found in Takata-produced airbags as the reason the safety devices can rupture with such violence that pieces of shrapnel are sent flying at drivers and passengers. Today, a consortium of 10 automakers are expected to announce that the chemical is just one factor in the deadly defect. [More]
In Wake Of Additional Deaths, NHTSA Being Pushed To Reopen Jeep Investigation
By 2.19.16
Three years after Fiat Chrysler and federal regulators agreed to a recall to fix more than 1.56 million Jeep SUVs that could catch fire in the event of a rear-end crash, safety advocates are calling on the government to reopen an investigation into the alleged defect, claiming that an additional 11 fatalities, possibly more, have occurred since that recall was initiated. [More]
Hoverboards That Don’t Comply With UL Safety Standards Now Considered Defective, Hazardous
By 2.19.16
Amid multiple reports of “hoverboard” batteries exploding or catching on fire, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined that the self-balancing scooters are not safe unless they meet certain standards. [More]
Report: Volkswagen Chief Executive Knew Of Diesel “Defeat Device” Investigation In 2014
By 2.15.16
At least some high-ranking executives at Volkswagen knew a year in advance about a probe into the carmaker’s diesel vehicles that eventually uncovered “defeat devices” that skirted federal emission standards, new internal documents reveal. [More]
