Issues

Jury deliberating case against Ford

August 1, 2005

By Marilyn Tennissen -The News staff writer

BEAUMONT – A family outing on a hot summer day two years ago ended in tragedy for a Port Neches family when 3-year-old Cade Wright was killed in the parking lot of a crowded sno-cone stand.

The family is now in the midst of a lawsuit against Ford Motor Company, claiming that the toddler’s death could have been prevented if the 2001 Ford Expedition that backed over him had been equipped with ultrasonic rear sensors.

Danger Under the Hood

July 21, 2005

A little girl dies; attention turns to a faulty Ford part

More than 500 fires reported in pickups, SUVs; probe centers on cruise-control switch.

Engineering Analysis Opening Resume (EA05-005) – 1995-02 Ford F150, 1997-02 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Town Car

July 13, 2005

Click Here for Opening Resume in .PDF

Engineering Analysis Closing Report (EA02-025) – 1992-97 Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Grand Marquis

July 13, 2005

Click Here for Closing Resume and Report in .PDF

Woman’s 911 call: ‘My garage is on fire!’

July 13, 2005

Iowa farmer: Ford ignited deadly blaze; company denies blame

WESTGATE, Iowa (CNN) — Earl Mohlis says he has no doubt the fire that burned down his house last month, killing his wife of 34 years, started under the hood of his 1996 Ford F-150 pickup truck — and he is suing the company, he says, to prevent more deaths.

Ford Motor Company has concluded the truck did not cause the fire.

Ford document: Millions of vehicles have fire risk part

July 13, 2005

KISSIMMEE, Florida (CNN) — Early this year, Laura Hernandez nudged her husband, Nestor Oyola, as he slept in their Kissimmee home and asked him to put the Ford Expedition he had bought her the day before into the garage.

She did not want to risk leaving it on the street, where it might be vandalized.

"That was my dream, to have a Ford Expedition," she recalled to CNN about the $22,000 Eddie Bauer 2001 model SUV — green with gold trim and leather seats.

Oyola moved the Expedition and they went to sleep.

IIHS Press Release: Cell Phone Use

July 13, 2005

July 12 , 2005

1ST EVIDENCE OF EFFECTS OF CELL PHONE USE ON INJURY CRASHES:
CRASH RISK IS FOUR TIMES HIGHER WHEN DRIVER IS USING A HAND-HELD CELL PHONE

Volkswagen of America Settlement Fact Sheet

June 17, 2005

Manufacturers of new motor vehicles must file an emission defect information report (EDIR) with EPA not more than 15 working days after an emission-related defect is found to affect 25 vehicles or engines of the same model year.

 

Violation: Volkswagen of America, Inc. failed file EDIR for one year after discovery of emission defect

Penalty: $1.1 million

Remediation/Injunctive Relief:

Volkswagen of America, Inc., Agrees to Pay More Than $1 Million for Clean Air Act Violation

June 17, 2005

Contact: Stacie Keller, 202-564-4355 / keller.stacie@epa.gov
DOJ: 202-514-2007; TDD: 202-514-1888

Volkswagen of America Clean Air Act Settlement

June 17, 2005

On June 15, 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced a major Clean Air Act settlement with Volkswagen of America, Inc., to resolve Volkswagen’s failure to promptly notify EPA and correct defective oxygen sensors on at least 329,000 of their 1999, 2000 and 2001 Golfs, Jettas and New Beetles.