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Coding Error Sends 2019 Subaru Ascents to the Car Crusher:
Usually, news of an automotive-related software issue involves an error like last week's GM recall of 1 million SUVs and pickups because of a steering defect in their electric power-steering module. GM stated that the defect can cause a momentary loss of power steering followed by its sudden return, which can lead to an accident, and already has in about 30 known cases. GM says a software update to the module available from its dealers will fix the problem.
But a software remedy can't solve Subaru's issue with 293 of its 2019 Ascent SUVs. All 293 of the SUVs that were built in July will be scrapped because they are missing critical spot welds.
According to Subaru's recall notice [PDF] filed with the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the welding robots at the Subaru Indiana Automotive plant in Lafayette, Ind., were improperly coded, which meant the robots omitted the spot welds required on the Ascents' B-pillar. Consumer Reports states that the B-pillar holds the second-row door hinges. As a result, the strength of the affected Ascents' bodies may be reduced, increasing the possibility of passenger injuries in a crash.
Subaru indicated in the recall that "there is no physical remedy available; therefore, any vehicles found with missing welds will be destroyed." Luckily, only nine Ascents had been sold, and those customers are going to receive new vehicles. The rest were on dealer lots or in transit.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 23 2018, @02:20PM (3 children)
At a Japanese company. How does it get forgotten to program a weld? Nobody checks off the programs, or visually follows the first run through the line?
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 23 2018, @05:26PM (2 children)
Oh, I don't know about that.
The Japanese company made a mistake that may increase the risk of injury if you crash, which affected 300 cars, they discovered the screw up with only nine of them sold, and are recalling the faulty cars to be scrapped and replaced for free.
Meanwhile, the American company's mistake can cause a crash, affected a million cars, there were at least 30 crashes due to the fault, and they claim it's going to be completely fixed with a software update.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday September 24 2018, @07:12PM (1 child)
The Japanese company could take a lesson from the American company.
Fix the missing spot welds with a software update.
Q. how many hardware engineers does it take to change a light bulb?
A. none. management has decided the software driver team will develop a patch to correct the problem.
To transfer files: right-click on file, pick Copy. Unplug mouse, plug mouse into other computer. Right-click, paste.
(Score: 2) by acid andy on Tuesday September 25 2018, @06:27PM
Yes, simply limit the maximum speed of the vehicle such that a collision at that speed will not separate the affected panels. It won't help if another vehicle traveling at a high speed hits it, but, hey, that's their fault!
If a cat has kittens, does a rat have rittens, a bat bittens and a mat mittens?