Ford Recall Model of Placing Money Before Customer Safety and Satisfaction

Forbes has an excellent report on Ford Windstar recall that shows how Ford – and NHTSA – did not put safety ahead of corporate short term money.

Forbes has done its readers, company and government safety engineers, and hopefully some corporate executives a service by showing how companies should not put short term gains ahead of safety and customer satisfaction.

“The danger that caused the recall is supposed to be eliminated, not mitigated, said Joan Claybrook, former head of Public Citizen who was in charge of the N.H.T.S.A. from 1977 to 1981.  She contends the brackets are not a “lawful repair.”

There’s also a problem with charging for the axle, even if it is a discounted price, because federal regulations require a free repair says Clarence Ditlow, the executive director of The Center for Auto Safety.

The safety agency doesn’t have a problem with Ford’s approach.

“The support brackets that were the recall remedy, eliminated the safety-related consequence if they were properly installed,” N.H.T.S.A. spokesman Bryan Thomas said.”

See:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/jensen/2016/07/13/ford-windstars-an-oddfall-recall-that-didnt-fix-them-all-and-outraged-owners-and-safety-advocates/#217cd2402121

Readers can check the April 2016 issue of Consumer Reports rankings of “Which Brands Make the Best Cars” and find Ford ranks 16th.  Ford ranks 16th!!!

Reminds me of the NHTSA safety engineer that I worked with and had a great reputation.  He bought a Windstar and was very sorry he did so.

This inequality of safety vs. money and power must change for the better to end vehicle violence.

Lou Lombardo