Issues
Senator Clinton Call For Increased Safety Measures For Crown Victoria Police Vehicles
March 3, 2003
Washington, D.C – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today released a letter calling upon the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to take immediate steps to protect the thousands of police officers – across the state and the country – who are currently driving Crown Victoria police vehicles.
U.S. Proposes Tougher Crash-Safety Tests
May 13, 2004
By DANNY HAKIM
WASHINGTON, May 12 – Federal regulators proposed a major overhaul of side-impact crash tests on cars and trucks today.
The new test procedures would reinforce the industry’s voluntary commitment, by the end of the decade, to equip almost all new vehicles with inflatable curtains and other side air bags that protect people’s heads.
But the government’s research raises doubts whether current designs for side air bags with head protection – some only protect the chest and midsection – are advanced enough.
2004 Car Book Best Bets
Subcompact
Hyundai Accent
Mini Cooper
BMW Z4
Kia Spectra
Compact
Audi A4
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra
BMW 3 Series
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix
Saturn Ion
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Golf/Jetta
Intermediate
Acura TL
Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus
Hyundai Sonata
Infiniti I35
Saab 9-5
Totota Avalon
Toyota Camry
Volvo 60 Series
Large
Chrysler 300M/Concorde/Intrepid
Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis/M
1997-00 Ford F150/250, Expedition, Lincoln
Ford Motor Company and Victims' Legal Team Settle Texas Door Latch Case
Thursday April 29, 4:42 pm ET
Door Latch Failure Blamed for the Deaths of Two Texas Women
2004 CAS Comment on “Reforming the Automobile Fuel Economy Standards Program”
April 27, 2004
Docket Management
U.S. Department of Transportation
Room PL-401
400 Seventh Street SW
Washington DC 20590
Re: DOT DMS Docket No. 2003-16128, "Reforming the Automobile Fuel Economy Standards Program"
Ford Extended Coverage Program – 1999-2002 Mercury Cougar
Dealer Bulletin Owner Letter
Transmissions Prompt Large Honda Recall
04/15/04
Christopher Jensen
Plain Dealer Auto Editor
Honda is recalling about 600,000 of its popular sport utilities and minivans in the U.S. and Canada because the automatic transmissions may fail, the automaker announced Wednesday.
The five-speed transmissions made in Russells Point, Ohio, near Marysville are used in some 2002, 2003 and early 2004 Honda Odyssey minivans as well as 2003 and early 2004 Honda Pilot sport utilities. Also covered are 2001 and 2002 Acura MDX sport utilities.
Technology Puts Unintended Acceleration Back in Spotlight
By Jayne O’Donnell and David Kiley, USA TODAY
What They Said: Reaction
The Detroit News
4/13/04
“We have to tackle this problem. That’s not me being hysterical. That’s me looking at the data.â€
Jeffrey Runge
NHTSA director
Options Exist for Stronger Roofs
Structural foam, high-strength steel would absorb impact, create ‘simple fix,’ some say.
Here are some ways automakers could bolster vehicle roof strength:
* High-strength steel. Alloys can add strength without weight, but tend to be costlier.
* Structural foam. Cheap and well-known, keeps beams from bending.
* Automaker options
* Reinforced pillars. Makes them stronger during a crash.