Issues
Volvo to Extend Warranty on Stalling Cars
November 15, 2005
New York Times
Ford Motor Co.’s Volvo subsidiary has quietly reached a deal with California regulators to extend the warranty of defective throttles in about 356,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada that are prone to stalling, the company said Tuesday. The car maker will extend the warranty of the ETM throttle, which can become corroded and force the car to stall or slowdown, according to internal memos obtained by The Associated Press and later confirmed by the company.
SAFETY LOOPHOLE: Ragtops escape roof-crush rules
NHTSA: Convertibles can’t share standards with fixed-roof vehicles
By Rick Kranz and Harry Stoffer
Automotive News / November 07, 2005
Roof-crush proposalNHTSA proposes to upgrade its standard for roof-crush resistance for the first time since 1971. Key provisions are
NHTSA roof rule comes under attack
Critics: Agency uses wrong method to test strength
By Harry Stoffer
Automotive News / September 05, 2005
A roof over your headNHTSA’s proposed roof-strength rule would make these major changes.
Gov’t Considers New Vehicle Roof Safety Standards
Dennis Douda, WCCO
A Safety Matter [Lincoln Town Car Fuel Tank]
Family of sisters who died in a fiery wreck is suing Ford Motor Co., saying it should have installed a shield soonerBy James RomoserWinston-Salem JournalSunday, October 16, 2005
San Antonio police officer killed in car accident
10/14/2005
Maria M. Moreno
Express-News Staff Writer
An officer who survived a violent shootout with armed robbers about two years ago died this morning in a fiery crash on Loop 410 and Culebra Road. John Wheeler, a 12-year veteran, was apparently looking out for speeders when a car traveling at least 90 mph rear-ended Wheeler’s patrol car, police said. Both cars caught on fire.
Police spokesman Sgt. Gabe Trevino said both drivers were trapped inside their cars.
Officer killed in wreck was shot in 2003
10/15/2005
Maria M. Moreno
Express-News Staff Writer
He miraculously survived two bullets from an AK-47 that left gaping holes in his neck and leg.
He endured weeks on a hospital bed and months of rehabilitation to regain the ability to drive, shower, walk.
Early Friday, about nine months after he’d finally recovered enough to return to patrolling the West Side, Officer John Wheeler died, trapped in his burning patrol car.
Military wife leads effort to strengthen state’s [Oklahoma’s] ‘lemon law’
Gallant charge
Military wife leads effort to strengthen state’s ‘lemon law’
Enid News & Eagle (Oklahoma) 3/7/2005
Wire and Staff reports
OKLAHOMA CITY With a soft-spoken manner and diminutive 3-year-old daughter on her hip, Angie Gallant is an unlikely advocate as she walks the halls of the state Capitol corralling lawmakers in a quest for reform.
Justices Reject Bid to Halt Air Bag Suit [1997-99 Chevy Malibu, Olds Cutlass]
The Supreme Court lets stand a lower court ruling that allows a nationwide class-action case against GM to move forward in Oklahoma.
From Bloomberg News
October 12, 2005
General Motors Corp., the world’s largest automaker, lost a U.S. Supreme Court bid to stop a lawsuit contending that 420,000 cars were equipped with air bags that might deploy unnecessarily.
COMMENT: Lighter vehicles are not unsafe
Occupant protection gets better and better
By Rob Chapman
Automotive News / October 17, 2005