Issues

Memos: Ford made Explorer roof weaker

March 30, 2005

Automaker says SUV exceeds federal safety standards and is a safe vehicle.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When 26-year-old Claire Duncan died of a fractured skull after a severe rollover accident in her 2000 Ford Explorer, her family wanted answers.

Active Safety Technology Issues

March 22, 2005

Presentation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
November 10, 2004
Clarence M. Ditlow, Executive Director
Center for Auto Safety

The Center for Auto Safety has generally advocated that crashworthiness and occupant restraint are the most critical areas in which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should regulate and issue consumer information. Nevertheless, we agree that new developments in electronics, computer systems and sensors offer major opportunities for crash avoidance.

2005 Car Book “Best Bets”

March 21, 2005

Subcompact
Hyundai Accent
Mazda MX-5 Miata
MINI Cooper
BMW Z4
Hyundai Tiburon
Volkswagen Beetle

Compact
Hyundai Elantra
Audi A4
BMW 3-Series
Honda Civic
Nissan Sentra
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf/Jetta
Volvo 40 Series

Intermediate
Lexus ES 300
Toyota Avalon
Acura TL
Honda Accord
Hyundai Sonata/Kia Optima
Lincoln LS/Jaguar S-Type
Mazda 6
Toyota Camry
Volvo 60 Series

Volkswagen Will Budge on Complaints About Sludge

March 21, 2005

Sunday, March 20, 2005 Christopher JensenPlain Dealer Columnist

Borrego Springs, Calif. Volkswagen Passat owners who did not get help from Volkswagen with repairs to sludge-damaged engines should try again, says Len Hunt, the vice president in charge of Volkswagen in the United States.

Hunt said dealers have been told they can be more lenient about helping consumers who were not grossly negligent when it comes to oil changes.

SUV’s Category description

March 18, 2005

SUV’s are the most popular cars in America.  The Center for Auto Safety is improving awareness of safety issues and defects in these increasingly popular vehicles.

Lawsuits Category Description

March 18, 2005

The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is the most respected source of legal information and data related to vehicle safety and manufacturer defects. Every day CAS fights to make sure consumers are aware of their rights as vehicle owners and pending litigations related to their cars.

Defect Investigations Category Description

March 18, 2005

The Center for Auto Safety works tirelessly to ensure that you, the consumer, are aware of government defect investigations that may protect you in a collision and save you money on vehicle repairs.

Crown Vic Category Description

March 18, 2005

At least 22 law enforcement officers have been killed in fiery collisions involving Ford’s Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, due to an inadequate fuel system.  The civilian platform of these vehicles includes the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car, all with the same faulty fuel system.  Ford has fixed the police vehicles, but refuses to recall the civilian cars.

Congress Category Description

March 18, 2005

The Center for Auto Safety in the nation’s capital:

  • keeping consumers up-to-date on auto related legislation and regulation
  • working with congress and federal agencies to make our cars safer
  • providing expert opinions and data in congressional testimony.

List of Known Fatal Fire Crashes

March 16, 2005

List of Known Fatal Fire Crashes