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NHTSA opens investigation into Nissan's handling of airbag recall

In March of 2014, Nissan recalled eight models among its Nissan and Infiniti brands, totaling more than one million vehicles, over faulty occupant classification system software controlling the passenger airbag. The company discovered a variety of factors that would interfere with the system's ability to detect an adult passenger in the shotgun seat, resulting in an illuminated warning on on the dashboard and the passenger airbag not deploying in an accident. Yet 124 complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since the recall allege that the dealer-installed fix hasn't actually fixed the problem; some consumers say the problem persists after multiple trips to the dealer. The Detroit News reports that NHTSA is opening an investigation into the matter to determine whether a new recall is needed. The occupant sensor has been a bugbear for Nissan over the past couple of years; a much smaller recall for the issue in 2013 covered five of the eight vehicles that were recalled in 2014, and that earlier recall also continued to generate complaints after the issue had supposedly been fixed. At the same time, the company learned that in two instances there was another twist, where the dashboard warning wasn't illuminated but the passenger airbag still didn't go off in an accident. Nissan isn't alone, though, with airbag recalls on a steep upswing across the industry even before the Takata debacle.

Is your new-car warranty good at the race track?

We've all heard the horror stories. Your buddy knows a girl that was dating a guy whose best friend's brother once broke his brand-new, recently purchased performance car while making runs at a drag strip or laps at a track day, and the manufacturer wouldn't cover the repair under warranty. True story? Urban legend? Complete crap? Yes, no, maybe. One thing's for sure: Automotive warranties have always come with caveats. In 1908, an ad in the Trenton Evening Times clearly stated: "All Ford Cars Guaranteed for One Year." Although it changed over time, by 1925 the Ford New Car Guarantee only covered 90 days on material and 30 days on labor, and it clearly stated that that there was "No guarantee whatever on Fan Belts, Glass, Bulbs, Wiring, Transmission, Bands, Hose Connections, Commutator Shells, Rollers, Spark Plugs or Gaskets." Whether or not Ol' Henry would pay to fix your Model T if you broke it shaving a tenth off your lap time at the local board track seems to be lost to history. We're guessing no. But what about today? Do new-car warranties in 2017 cover cars when they are driven on race tracks? We researched the warranties of 14 auto brands to find out, and the answer is yes, no, maybe, depending on the brand, in some cases the model, and whether or not your car is modified from stock. Acura has been out of the high-performance car game for a number of years, but jumps back into the party in 2017 with its hybrid-powered $173,000 NSX supercar. And Acura's warranty, as well as Honda's, clearly states that it does not cover "the use of the vehicle in competition or racing events." View 33 Photos So we asked Sage Marie, Senior Manager of Public Relations for Honda and Acura. "If the car is stock, the warranty covers it on a track just as it does on the street. No question," he told us. "However, if the car is modified, say with slick tires or other components that would put higher stresses on the vehicle's parts and systems, then we would have to investigate the circumstances further." Marie went on to say the same would be true for any Acura model or Honda vehicle, including the new 2017 Honda Civic Si. This became a common theme. Chevrolet actually started this practice with the fifth-generation Camaro on the high-performance ZL1 and Z/28 models.

2017 Infiniti QX30 brings style in a small package to LA

There are already no shortage of luxurious compact crossovers on the market, like the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Infiniti clearly sees room for growth with the debut of the production QX30 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The highly sculpted CUV arrives next year to offer another stylish entry in the segment. The production QX30 clearly adapts the swoopy concept's design from the Geneva Motor Show, but the designers soften things slightly. The kinked C-pillar comes straight from the earlier shape, and the arching character line now runs through both door handles along the side. Narrow lights at the front and rear also give the CUV a sporty look. Inside, leather and metallic trim abound, and the infotainment system sits high on the center stack. The QX30 will be available with diesel and gasoline engines, depending on the market, but the 2.0t on the fender here suggests this one uses the turbocharged unit from its Q30 hatchback sibling with 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual clutch gearbox is standard on the CUV, and an all-wheel-drive system can send up to 50-percent of the power to the rear wheels as necessary. Infiniti hopes young buyers gravitate toward the model's bold shape when the QX30 goes on sale. LA seems like the perfect place to catch the eye of these potential customers. Infiniti QX30: A premium active crossover for all purposes • QX30 debuts as a new premium offering for global markets • Combines crossover appearance with signature Infiniti design cues • Delivers a confident drive and versatile attitude, aided by intelligent all-wheel drive • Intuitive technologies enhance safety, comfort and convenience • Part of first Infiniti production in Europe, at new facilities in Sunderland, UK • Simultaneous world premieres at Los Angeles and Guangzhou motor shows HONG KONG – The Infiniti QX30 premium active crossover is making its simultaneous global debut at the 2015 Los Angeles and Guangzhou international motor shows – signalling the next phase of the company's global growth strategy. Created for a new generation of premium buyers who appreciate category-defying design inside and out, the QX30 boasts a purposeful appearance that makes a bold visual statement as part of Infiniti's premium model line-up.