Did The NHTSA Show Favoritism To GM By Delaying Publication Of Volt Fire Risk?

In June, General Motors learned from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that a Chevrolet Volt caught fire three weeks after a test crash.

Not until NHTSA did additional testing on Volt batteries in November did GM disclose the potential risk -- and tell owners, dealers and the public that it is critical to drain power from the battery pack immediately after a crash.

NHTSA, too, waited months to disclose possible fire hazards of the Volt. The agency crashed the Volt on May 12, and a fire on the vehicle broke out in June.

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Yonder7 - 12/6/2011 12:28:47 PM

+1 Boost

But that's ok ..it is and American car...not Toyota.

Agent009 - 12/6/2011 12:55:24 PM

+2 Boost

Do as we say, not as we do, or you will get fined.

Joe_Limon - 12/6/2011 1:36:06 PM

+1 Boost

I don't know what this article is based off of, GM has always said that their battery packs need to be disconnected in case of an accident. The NHTSA did the tests last month so how was it delaying publication by both announcing the issue before it was confirmed and by announcing test results as they were performed? If anything they have gone beyond due diligence by letting the public be aware of exactly what they found and when before a formal report could even be drafted up!

CactoesGe1 - 12/6/2011 2:30:08 PM

+2 Boost

If this is true, I guess you can't blame the gov for trying to protect its own investment. lol

fourmccs - 12/6/2011 3:35:42 PM

+2 Boost

If they were hiding the problem then yes they were showing favoritism. This is wrong no matter who is under investigation. Joe there is a difference between disconnecting the battery pack and draining the charge. The problem is still there if the charge isn't drained.