NHTSA’s New Pedestrian Test Is Useful—With a Catch
Federal pedestrian-protection results now give 2027-car shoppers a new safety signal, but the first list is a pass/fail screen, relies initially on manufacturer data and can vary by trim.
Automotive Desk
Industry news, with the differences made clear.
Source-backed analysis of the vehicles, technologies and business decisions shaping what people drive.
Industry Analysis
News and comparisons worth your time.
Why Automakers Want Chinese Car Factories Kept Out
Six major US auto-industry groups are urging the White House not merely to retain barriers on Chinese vehicle imports, but to block Chinese automakers from building connected vehicles in America. The dispute shows that a
Ford F-150 Fuel-Tank Recall Puts Straps in Focus
Ford has recalled 223,472 F-150 pickups after finding that an improperly secured fuel tank could leak or detach. Here is what the campaign means for affected 2023–2027 trucks and why the repair deserves prompt attention.
Jeep’s 201,976-Vehicle TPMS Recall Is a Software Test
A newly reported Jeep recall covers nearly 202,000 SUVs whose tire-pressure warning may not alert drivers. The defect is software-based, but the owner response should be practical rather than casual.
Jeep’s Third Coil-Spring Recall Raises the Stakes
A new 328,381-vehicle Grand Cherokee recall replaces two earlier campaigns and requires another dealer visit even for SUVs repaired before.
NHTSA’s Tesla Cybercab Audit Tests the AV Rulebook
NHTSA’s September 4 Cybercab audit examines Tesla’s self-certification after Austin deployment. The case shows why driverless capability and federal compliance are separate questions.
NHTSA’s DTN Airbag Warning Is Not a Normal Recall
An 11th death tied to a banned replacement airbag inflator turns a used-car repair-history question into an immediate safety check—one that a VIN recall search cannot answer.
Kia EV9 Airbag Recall Requires a VIN Check
Kia is recalling 21,290 EV9 electric SUVs over a front-passenger occupant-detection issue. The recall underscores why family-SUV owners should verify repair status by VIN rather than rely on model year alone.
Lucid Air Recall Shows the Limits of an OTA Safety Fix
A recall covering 27,185 Lucid Air sedans pairs a fire warning with an over-the-air remedy. For owners, the important question is whether the update has actually finished.
Dodge Durango Spoiler Recall Revisits Earlier Repairs
A new 74,578-vehicle recall covers 2021-2023 Dodge Durangos whose rear spoilers can be damaged during liftgate use and detach on the road—including SUVs repaired in two earlier campaigns.
Stellantis’ Rearview-Camera Recall Tests OTA Completion
A radio-software recall spanning Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram shows both the appeal and the practical limits of using over-the-air updates to resolve a federal safety issue.
NHTSA’s AV Shift Opens a Faster Path for Robotaxis
Federal actions now give automated-vehicle developers a clearer route to limited U.S. deployment. The unresolved question is whether oversight and public evidence will keep pace.
Toyota Display Recalls: 7-Inch Camry vs. 12.3-Inch Screens
Toyota’s 2026 Camry recall and its earlier 12.3-inch display campaign involve different equipment and remedies. Here is how owners can distinguish the two.
Toyota Camry 7-Inch Display Recall: Why Signals Can Fail
The 2025–2026 Camry recall covers 508,354 U.S. vehicles. A 7-inch-meter software fault can disable turn signals, hazard lights and warnings, not just blank the screen.
Subaru’s 541,000-Vehicle Weight-Label Recall Explained
Subaru’s recall concerns incorrect axle-weight information on the doorjamb label. It is not a mechanical repair, but the corrected label matters when owners load their vehicles heavily.
Ford Bronco Recall Affects 565,691 SUVs: What Owners Need to Know
Ford’s 565,691-vehicle Bronco wiring-harness recall concerns fire risk, VIN eligibility and a free protective-sheathing repair. Here is why Bronco Sport recalls are separate.