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US expands probe into ZF-TRW airbag failure-to-deploy to 12.3 million vehicles

DETROIT — U.S. auto safety regulators have expanded an investigation into malfunctioning airbag controls to include 12.3 million vehicles because the bags may not inflate in a crash. The problem could be responsible for as many as eight deaths. Vehicles made by Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Fiat Chrysler from the 2010 through 2019 model years are included in the probe, which was revealed Tuesday in documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It involves airbag control units made by ZF-TRW that were installed in the vehicles. The control units can fail in a crash, possibly because of unwanted electrical signals produced by the crash itself that can disable an air bag control circuit housed in the passenger compartment, according to NHTSA documents. The electrical signals can damage the control circuit, the documents say. ZF, a German auto parts maker which acquired TRW Automotive in 2015, said in a statement that it's committed to safety and is cooperating with NHTSA and automakers in the investigation. The case is another in a long list of problems with auto industry airbags, including faulty and potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators. At least 24 people have been killed worldwide and more than 200 injured by the inflators, which can explode with too much force and hurl dangerous shrapnel into the passenger cabin. The inflators touched off the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history involving with as many as 70 million inflators to be recalled by the end of next year. About 100 million inflators are to be recalled worldwide. On April 19, NHTSA upgraded the ZF-TRW probe from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis, which is a step closer toward seeking recalls. So far, only Hyundai and Kia and Fiat Chrysler have issued recalls in the case. Four deaths that may have been caused by the problem were reported in Hyundai-Kia vehicles and three in Fiat Chrysler automobiles. NHTSA opened an investigation in March of 2017 involving the TRW parts in Hyundais and Kias. The upgrade came after investigators found two recent serious crashes involving 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas in which the airbags did not inflate. One person was killed. Jason Levine, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit consumer group, said the ZF-TRW case shows the auto industry thus far has learned very little from Takata.

Honda recalling 204k CR-V, Odyssey, Acura RDX models over rollaway risk

Honda has announced a recall over a possible rollaway risk that affects 204,169 crossover and minivan models. The specific vehicles in question are the 2012-13 Honda CR-V and Odyssey, as well as the 2013 Acura RDX.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal." In other words, these vehicles could unintentionally roll away.
NHTSA states that this scenario may only happen during sub-freezing temperatures, but notes that this means the vehicles fail to conform with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114: Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention. Honda will notify owners of the problem, and dealerships will install an updated interlocking mechanism free of charge.

Honda reveals Concept D crossover in China

Honda has, as promised, rolled in to the Shanghai Motor Show with the Concept D. Looking like a cross between an HR-V and a Decepticon, the Concept D previews a future crossover to be offered exclusively as the Japanese automaker's flagship model in China. The styling is certainly not for the faint of heart, with more angles than a geometry set, more vents than an air conditioner, a proliferation of LED lighting, gold spokes to match the bodywork and a sharply raked rear window with a giant wing at its peak. Details released with the trio of images remain scarce, but the production version of the concept you see here is slated to be offered in China through two of the company's local joint ventures, Guangqi Honda and Dongfeng Honda – albeit sure to be toned down some on the road from show stand to showroom. Honda Exhibits World Premiere of Concept D at Auto Shanghai 2015 BEIJING, China, April 20, 2015 – Honda Motor (China) Investment Co., Ltd. (HMCI), a wholly-owned Honda subsidiary in China, today exhibited at Auto Shanghai 2015* the world premiere of the Concept D, a concept model for a new SUV model under development. *The 16th International Automobile & Manufacturing Technology Exhibition, Venue: National (Shanghai) Center for Exhibition and Convention Press days: April 20-21, 2015, public days: April 22-29, 2015 The Concept D shows the direction of a mass-production SUV model which is currently being developed exclusively for the China domestic market as a top-end SUV model that offers high-quality driving and a spacious cabin. Equipped with advanced safety technologies and other advanced features, a Concept D-based SUV model will go on sale from both Guangqi Honda and Dongfeng Honda, positioned as a new flagship model of Honda in China. ?Comment by Seiji Kuraishi, President of HMCI "Including this Concept D, which is a proposal for a new value that only Honda can provide as the pioneer of the SUV market in China. We would like to continue providing attractive products equipped with our advanced technologies to our customers in China. Toward this end, we will accelerate the localization of our business in China."