Safety

Safety should be foremost in your mind when buying a new ute. After all, it's a highly risky game of dodgem cars played out in fast-moving two-tonne tanks.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its latest round of automotive recalls, with models from Citroen, Holden, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi and Peugeot affected.

The flashing red-and-blues of a police car in the rear-view mirror have the unique effect of making even the most innocent of drivers feel like Pablo Escobar.

My 2010 ASX has an issue with the LED running lights and LED taillight on the driver's side. When the remote is used to unlock the car they flash quickly and stay off while the passenger side stays on for the normal amount of time. When the headlights are turned on the driver side LEDs don't work unless I turn the headlights off and then on again very quickly.

My three-year-old son climbed over the back seat and into the parcel area of our 2011 Toyota Kluger. Without realising he was there I pressed the auto close on the rear door. It closes slowly. My son started screaming. The door had closed on his arm. His arm was slightly bruised and we later found a small break. My question is does the door have a sensor. When it closes on an obstruction does it stop closing or does it continue to apply pressure until the obstruction is removed.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has released results from its latest round of safety testing, with models from Audi, Mini and Skoda picking up the maximum five-star rating.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued safety recalls for the recently launched Maserati Levante SUV and several Audi models over engine faults.

President Donald Trump's new wheels has been caught testing at General Motors' Milford Proving Grounds in the outskirts of Detroit.

Holden's new Astra sedan and the imminent Subaru XV crossover have both been awarded five stars from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) in the latest round of crash testing.In handing down the latest scores, the crash safety watchdog took a swipe at Subaru for not offering autonomous emergency braking (AEB) as standard on the base variant, and Holden for not making the technology available on any Astra sedan.ANCAP chief executive officer James Goodwin warned that if car makers want a five-star rating for their cars, they must be fitted with AEB as standard from January 1 next year as the organisation brings its test protocols into line with Euro ANCAP."It is disappointing autonomous emergency braking is not available across the board on two new models, and we continue to encourage consumers to ask for, and brands to offer, this potentially life-saving technology," he said."As our requirements become more stringent next year, it will not be possible for new models to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating without an effective AEB system fitted as standard."While the Astra sedan is not offered with AEB, even as an option, the hatch comes with AEB for city driving on all but the base R variant.The South Korean-built Astra sedan goes on sale next month and is based on the Chevrolet Cruze, but Holden has elected to dub it Astra to keep it in line with its new small hatch that was launched in December last year.Despite sharing the same GM Delta II platform as the hatch, ANCAP determined that the two models were different enough in structure, specification and manufacturing source to warrant a separate crash test for the sedan.The Astra sedan achieved an overall score of 34.94 points out of 37, with lower leg protection and driver chest protection rated as 'acceptable', as well as front-seat passenger chest protection. The pedestrian protection rating was also 'acceptable'.The Astra sedan performed better than its hatch stablemate that scored 32.86 points for adult protection – losing points for chest and lower leg impact – to also nab a five-star rating.While the Astra sedan is not offered with AEB, even as an option, the hatch comes with AEB for city driving on all but the base R variant.Lane support systems (LSS) which will also be mandatory come next year is offered as an option on the Astra sedan.The Subaru XV has AEB and LSS on higher-spec variants as options or standard equipment, but the base model has neither.ANCAP gave the Subaru XV its five-star rating based on the crash performance of its hatch and sedan twin under the skin, the Impreza, which was launched in December last year and shares the same underpinnings and sourcing.The Impreza achieved a five-star rating last November, scoring 35.8 points out of a possible 37 for adult occupant protection, only losing 1.2 points for 'acceptable' lower leg and driver chest protection in the frontal offset crash test. Pedestrian protection was rated as 'good'.All of the scores were carried over for the XV which rolls into showrooms in Australia next month. 

When the sun comes from particular angles it’s almost impossible to see the instruments and screens, even the reversing camera, in my Kia Cerato. The only way to see the screens is to cover it with your hand, which is dangerous. I reported it to Kia and one response over the phone was yes it’s an issue, but what do you want us to do. But when it was made official in writing and I clearly explained my concerns they took a different approach. Their response was that “you have reported sunlight issues on your instrument cluster and unfortunately Kia has no control over external influences.” They basically cut me off. But they designed the car that allows the screen to be washed out by the sun, and it is now a real problem. I have started doing research and other people who drive Ceratos have also complained about how they find the sat-nav and reversing camera useless. Kia continues to deny any problem. I wasn't told in the showroom or by Kia when the car was sold that I should expect problems when I drive the car during daylight hours, and that it’s out of their control. The real issue is the angle and placement of the screen and possibly quality. No other cars or brands are subject to such serious problems. I would like your opinion.