Reprinted from The Safety Record, Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2009 TORRANCE, CA— The world’s largest automaker Toyota, known for its rock-solid reputation for quality among consumers, is finding the pedestal a bit shaky these days. Last month, Toyota launched its largest recall in the company’s history for all-weather floor mats that may entrap the [...]

Reprinted from The Safety Record, Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. – In May 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tested the ironically named Sturdibus HD model, built by the U.S. Bus Corporation. The compliance check at the MGA Research Center revealed that the school bus failed three critical elements of crashworthiness: [...]

Reprinted from The Safety Record, Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2009 HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI – Is third-party certification worth the paper it’s printed on? Consider the case of Frederick Hampton, who is still recovering from third-degree burns over much of his body after a close encounter with a defectively designed product that bore the Canadian [...]

Reprinted from The Safety Record, Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C – The Center for Auto Safety has called for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate defective fuel tank design in 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees, and to recall any of the popular SUVs with a fuel tank located behind the rear [...]

Reprinted from The Safety Record, Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. – R U txtN? If you are driving an 18-wheeler, the Advocates for Highway Safety wants you to stop. Late last month, the consumer safety group raised the ante on distracted drivers by asking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to prohibit [...]

Reprinted from The Safety Record, Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sixteen months after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into fire-prone cruise control deactivation switches, Ford Motor Company announced a recall (09V399) of 4.5 million Windstars and seven other models to inspect and repair the leaking components. The [...]

Reprinted from The Safety Record, Volume 6, Issue 5, October 2009 WASHINGTON D.C. – They’re faster than a golf cart, more powerful than an All-Terrain Vehicle, and able to climb rough terrain. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has also concluded that Recreational Off-Road Vehicles (ROV) are potentially deadly, and prime candidates for regulation. Last [...]