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Many may know about the new automatic braking systems on some new cars but it looks like they see things that aren't there according to reports received by NHTSA...
That's fucked up...
THE National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating two complaints in which owners of 2013 Infiniti JX35 crossovers vehicles say the automatic braking system suddenly engaged while they were driving on a bridge, then stopped the vehicles without apparent reason.
In an e-mail, Steve Yaeger, a Nissan spokesman, said engineers found ''this particular location has unique roadway construction, which caused the system to activate; it is a situation that has only replicated in this particular spot.''
The N.H.T.S.A. complaints did not identify the location of the bridge, and Mr. Yaeger said he wasn't sure where it was.
Mr. Yaeger also said the company had no other reports of such malfunctions, but ''our engineers are working on a solution to help prevent this from occurring.''
In a document filed on Monday, the safety agency's investigators wrote, ''The consumers allege that the Intelligent Brake Assist system inappropriately activated emergency braking, autonomously bringing the vehicle to an immediate and complete stop.''
The investigation covers an estimated 8,000 of the new sport utility vehicles, which are sold by Nissan's Infiniti division.
Nissan says the Intelligent Braking System uses radar to gauge the closing speed and distance of vehicles ahead, and if the computer decides a collision is imminent it will apply the brakes.
For years, luxury automakers have had systems able to gently apply the brakes if the computer senses a collision, but systems that completely stop the vehicle appeared more recently. Some auto executives have said that is, in part, because of concerns over litigation.
''As I was driving, the I.B.A. suddenly stopped my car to a complete stop on a bridge,'' one owner complained to the agency about the braking system.
''Luckily the car behind me wasn't driving too close or I would have been hit,'' the owner said. ''Two weeks later I was driving with my mom and daughter and it happened again on the same bridge.''
A second owner also told the agency that her Infiniti slammed on the brakes while crossing what turned out to be the same bridge.
Mr. Yaeger said Nissan did not see the incidents as a ''safety issue'' because ''the braking is controlled and the brake lamps illuminate to alert the drivers behind the vehicle.''
N.H.T.S.A. opened what it called a preliminary evaluation.
In an e-mail, Steve Yaeger, a Nissan spokesman, said engineers found ''this particular location has unique roadway construction, which caused the system to activate; it is a situation that has only replicated in this particular spot.''
The N.H.T.S.A. complaints did not identify the location of the bridge, and Mr. Yaeger said he wasn't sure where it was.
Mr. Yaeger also said the company had no other reports of such malfunctions, but ''our engineers are working on a solution to help prevent this from occurring.''
In a document filed on Monday, the safety agency's investigators wrote, ''The consumers allege that the Intelligent Brake Assist system inappropriately activated emergency braking, autonomously bringing the vehicle to an immediate and complete stop.''
The investigation covers an estimated 8,000 of the new sport utility vehicles, which are sold by Nissan's Infiniti division.
Nissan says the Intelligent Braking System uses radar to gauge the closing speed and distance of vehicles ahead, and if the computer decides a collision is imminent it will apply the brakes.
For years, luxury automakers have had systems able to gently apply the brakes if the computer senses a collision, but systems that completely stop the vehicle appeared more recently. Some auto executives have said that is, in part, because of concerns over litigation.
''As I was driving, the I.B.A. suddenly stopped my car to a complete stop on a bridge,'' one owner complained to the agency about the braking system.
''Luckily the car behind me wasn't driving too close or I would have been hit,'' the owner said. ''Two weeks later I was driving with my mom and daughter and it happened again on the same bridge.''
A second owner also told the agency that her Infiniti slammed on the brakes while crossing what turned out to be the same bridge.
Mr. Yaeger said Nissan did not see the incidents as a ''safety issue'' because ''the braking is controlled and the brake lamps illuminate to alert the drivers behind the vehicle.''
N.H.T.S.A. opened what it called a preliminary evaluation.
That's fucked up...
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