German Makers Recall 2.3 Million U.S. Vehicles for Takata Bags
Daimler AG, Volkswagen AG and BMW AG recalled about 2.3 million U.S. vehicles since Tuesday to replace potentially defective Takata Corp. air bags.
The recalls, detailed in company statements and government filings, are part of the 5.1 million vehicle recall expansion that Takata telegraphed to U.S. regulators in late January. The German companies join Honda...
Bill Seeks to Limit Use of Arbitration to Avoid Courts
Two leading Senate Democrats introduced a bill Thursday that would strictly limit the use of arbitration, a process used to resolve legal disputes that is often stacked against consumers.
The bill, introduced by Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont, and co-sponsored by Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, would prevent civil rights...
Senators Call for a Much Broader Recall of Defective Takata Airbags After a Recent Death
With millions of cars containing potentially defective airbags made by Takata still on the road, two senators on Tuesday urged the Obama administration to significantly expand the airbag recalls.
Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Edward Markey of Massachusetts, both Democrats, called on the Obama administration in a letter to force the recall of every Takata...
J&J to Pay $120 Million in Its First Big Mesh Settlement
Johnson & Johnson has made its first serious move to settle thousands of lawsuits filed by women who fault the company’s vaginal-mesh inserts for their injuries, according to people familiar with the matter.
The medical-device maker agreed to pay more than $120 million to resolve 2,000 to 3,000 suits alleging women suffered organ damage and...
Keyless Automobile Ignition Systems Are Fatally Flawed, Critics Say
You wouldn't deliberately leave your car running after you pull into the garage, but if that car has a keyless push-button ignition you could forget to turn it off. With an attached garage, the carbon monoxide spewing out of the tailpipe could very easily seep into your house, causing illness or death.
Read more.
FDA Tightens Rules for Mesh Device Used in Some Pelvic Surgeries
The Food and Drug Administration is tightening regulations for surgical mesh products used to repair a condition known as pelvic organ prolapse, following years of scrutiny by the U.S. regulator and many lawsuits by women who allege they have suffered harm from such products.
The products will be reclassified as high-risk rather than moderate-risk...
Justice Department alleges VW violated Clean Air Act
The Justice Department filed a civil complaint Monday against Volkswagen alleging nearly 600,000 cars with diesel engines in the U.S. violate emissions laws and that many were imported in violation of the Clean Air Act.
The lawsuit was filed in Detroit on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which worked with the California Air...
Honda confirms ninth death linked to Takata airbag
Jan 4 - Honda Motor Co confirmed on Thursday that a Takata airbag inflator ruptured in a July crash of a Honda Accord and likely led to the death of the young driver, the ninth death in the world linked to the faulty inflators.
The death, first reported by U.S. auto safety authorities last...
Debt Collection Law Firm Settles ‘Lawsuit Mill’ Complaint
A Georgia law firm accused by a federal regulator of operating an illegal debt-collection lawsuit mill has settled the charges. The firm agreed to pay a $3.1 million penalty without admitting any wrongdoing.
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Marietta, Ga.-based Frederick J. Hanna &...
NHTSA Slams BMW with $40 Million Fine
Federal safety regulators continue to crack down on automakers that fail to report problems quickly as BMW agreed to a possible $40 million fine for issues related to its Mini brand.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration levied the punishment after the automaker failed tell owners about a recall of the Mini Cooper that failed...
