National Safety Regulators Investigate Ford, Chrysler and DS-2000

09/27/96

Reuters and the Associated Press have both reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced investigations of Ford Chrysler and DS-2000 when it released its monthly report on Tuesday. The government is investigating complaints about three different safety problems with Ford, one safety problem with Chrysler, and one with DS-2000. The DS-2000 is an electronic device that allows disabled people to steer vehicles.

7 consumer or dealer complaints and 22 warranty repair claims allege that seat belts on 1997 F-150 trucks were not bolted to the floor or were loose. The NHTSA upgraded its investigation into the problem with the seat belts "to assess the impact that the alleged defect has had on highway safety."

The NHTSA said that there are 171,641 model year 1997 F-150s on the road that could be subject to recall. The government said more than 95 percent of the vehicles involved in the investigation were built on or before May 1.

Francine Romine McBride, spokesperson for Ford Motor Co, said it would be premature for the company to comment on the investigation: "We're aware of the investigation and are cooperating completely."

Ford told the NHTSA that it has added more belt inspections at the manufacturing plant that bolts the belts. Ford says it has not made any modifications or changes to the factory installation procedure of the seat belt.

Other Ford safety issues under NHTSA investigations include fuel tank and front suspension problems. The NHTSA is investigating 26 complaints of leaking fuel tanks on 500,000 1988-90 Ford Aerostars. One fire was reported. The agency is probing seven complaints about the front suspension on 250,000 Ford 1994-96 F-250 4X4 pickup trucks. Complaints say that the trucks' front suspensions separated from the vehicle frame. Consumers claimed the fasteners that hold the front axle were loose or the bolts or nuts that held the suspension system in place were sheared or missing.

The NHTSA is also looking into nine complaints about leaking fuel tanks on all 1996 Chrysler minivans, which include the Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Grand Voyager and Town & County. The safety agency said preliminary information indicates the leak occurs where the fuel pump joins the fuel tank.

Chrysler spokeswoman Michele Tinson said the company and agency are trying to determine how many minivans may be affected. She said Chrysler is cooperating with the investigation.

Finally, the federal safety agency reported that it's investigating DS-2000s--electronic devices that help disabled people steer vehicles. Electronic Mobility Systems manufactures the DS-2000, and the one complaint against it comes from the Ohio Rehabilitation Service Commission. The commission says DS-2000 owners should stop using the device because it has received reports of malfunctions which could result in a loss of steering control.

The NHTSA reported that none of the cases involved in the new investigations have resulted in accidents or injuries.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel