Changes in Automotive Failures

During the past 30 years of automotive failure analysis, a large number of similar failures have been experienced. Mandated design changes have reduced the effects of failures in control systems primarily through redundancy. Other failures caused by defective maintenance continue to be experienced with consistent effects. Sudden acceleration-related accidents have been reported since the advent of automatic transmissions and are primarily man/machine incompatibility. Recent design changes should reduce the frequency of such accidents. Crashworthiness defects have generally been reduced through better control of crash loads and improved design relating to occupant restraints.