Here’s a look at some of the latest recalls and product safety announcements.
Mercedes recalls about 48K SUVs to fix air bag sensor
Mercedes-Benz is recalling nearly 48,000 SUVs in the U.S. to fix a sensor problem that could stop the front passenger air bag from inflating in a crash.
The recall covers certain GL, GLE and GLS models from the 2016 and 2017 model years. Mercedes says in documents posted by U.S. safety regulators that a sensor in the front passenger seat may be calibrated incorrectly. It can classify passengers as child seats and deactivate the air bag.
It was unclear from the documents if the problem had caused any injuries. A Mercedes spokesman says he’s seeking information on the recall.”
Mercedes will notify owners and dealers will update the sensor software for free. The recall is expected to start this month.
Agency orders TransUnion, Equifax to pay $23M for false ads
Federal regulators have ordered credit-reporting agencies TransUnion and Equifax to pay about $23 million for falsely advertising that the credit scores they sell consumers are the same ones lenders use to make credit decisions.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Tuesday that TransUnion and Equifax must pay fines totaling $5.5 million and return about $17.6 million to wronged consumers.
The agency also said the two companies lured consumers into payments of $16 or more per month for credit scores and credit-related products.
TransUnion, based in Chicago, and Atlanta-based Equifax Inc. are two of the three major credit-reporting agencies in the U.S.
The credit scores they generate are used to determine whether consumers can qualify for a mortgage, a car loan, a cellphone plan and a range of other loans.
FDA has concerns over exploding e-cigarettes
Some people use e-cigarettes so they don’t have to worry about lighting up. But there is some concern that the devices may be lighting up on their own — with unpleasant results.
The Food and Drug Administration is looking into reports that some batteries in e-cigarettes have exploded, causing the devices to overheat, catch fire — or injure users.
The FDA has set up a two-day public meeting on the issue in April. The Associated Press reported last month that 66 e-cig explosions were identified by the FDA in 2015 and early 2016.
E-cigarettes are hand-held devices that vaporize liquid nicotine.
Their safety hasn’t been extensively studied and there’s no scientific consensus on whether they help reduce rates of cigarette smoking.