ABS, airbags, ESP fail most often

MUNICH, Germany — Safety-critical automotive systems are the most unreliable ones, suggest statistical data from periodic automotive checkups. This has been revealed by Dekra AG, one of the testing institutes consigned to conduct the mandatory technical vehicle check-ups in Germany.

In its current newsletter the organization publishes data from these check-ups. The result: Live-saving systems such as airbags, anti-locking brakes and electronic stability program (ESP) failed most often of all electronic systems covered by these check-ups.

The statistical data Dekra is referring to have been acquired and processed by Fahrzeugsystemdaten GmbH in Dresden, a joint subsidiary of all institutes in Germany authorized to conduct mandatory tests. In all Germany-wide check-ups in 2008, the organizations detected more than 60.000 faults within these systems. The findings become even more alarming by the fact that according to Dekra a high percentage of the cars tested were less than three years old.

"These complaints refer to components designed to increase the safety of the car occupants and of other traffic participants," the newsletter quotes an unnamed Dekra expert. "Electronic components in cars make life safer — but only if they work correctly over the entire lifespan of the respective vehicles."

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