Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

While people are concerned if the CEO of Toyota will come to congress, one woman will never move again due to her Ford. Where is the media exposure over this?

jadu

iTrader: (42)

that's a lot of money ford coughed up

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Hmm I remember that story. Whatever the reason may be, I'd generally just stay away from the 2nd Gen Explorer. My 03' is great tho, no probs

mmarshall

First, my sympathy for this poor woman and what she had to go through, regardless of the vehicle/tire design or who is at fault. I hope she has as normal a life as is possible under these circumstances. Other than that, I won't comment on the ruling, or whether it should stand, because we may not know the whole story...or at least as much as the jury did.

But one interesting thing....the Ford attorney says it was a worn tire. Aren't vehicles routinely safety-inspected in CA? Unless one drives a huge number of miles between inspections, a tire in bad enough condition to self-destruct should easily be spotted by the state inspector (though some impending signs can be internal, under the tread, and not easily visible).

Older Explorers, in a well-publicized recall involving earlier roll-over problems, were supposed to have the trouble-prone Wilderness tires replaced with a tire less-subject to belt failures. We don't know, from the story, if her vehicle ever got those newer tires.

Blackraven

I would never consider a mammoth Ford SUV ever (unless it's an Escape).

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

I had a blowout at 85mpg or so a short while ago in the Maxima way out in the desert. Very controlled and I was able to pull over. Granted the Maxima's center of gravity is much lower, I understand that, but still...very controlled. I drove the old Explorer's. They were scary even with good tires. I have blown two tires in the AMG, of course controlled. I have also lost two tires in my Tundra-again, well behaved. Not to single out Ford here, but auto companies as a whole could do so much more even in today's vehicles to make their products safer.

Incidentally, I also blew a tire on the baby STROLLER the same day. Just replaced the inner tube today.
Without a doubt, my luck with tires has never been strong.

Stage3

iTrader: (3)

Because this is not news... it's olds...

Explorer roll-over stories have been done and buried. And... as Marshall said, most of the accidents were caused by faulty tires and not faulty mechanics on the Explorer. If the owner did not know BY NOW that they had faulty tires in the recommended Firestones and did not move to a different brand, that's their own dumbass fault.

She gets no sympathy from me...

mmarshall

I'm assuming that, as an intelligent and knowledgeable car owner, you drive with the vehicles loaded within recommended limits, proper tire PSIs, and road speeds for the tire's rating. You mention that your problems were in the desert......heat is one of the main causes of tire failure, although, granted, your stated tire failure happened in February, and I'm also assuming that, at this time of year, heat was not a significant factor.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

One could also argue that she is to blame for driving a Ford with a poor suspension geometry allowing for horrible handling. Either way, one does not expect their tire to blow, and if so, to lose complete control. Of course many factors come into play such as maintenance, driving skills, etc...

mmarshall

Probably faulty PSI's, more than the tires themselves. Among other factors, that was part of the original problem....Firestone and Ford couldn't agree on recommened PSI's, because of ride-quality issues.



Even if she WAS somewhat negligent (which we don't know for sure), it's hard not to have at least some sympathy for someone in that condition. To be chained to a wheel chair for the rest of one's natural life is not a pleasant prospect to deal with, even with a $23M award. Money can't buy back her health.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Agree, very sad for anyone to be placed in this condition regardless of the cause.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

because this is ONE accident due to a bad tire, vs. a recall of MILLIONS of vehicles?

your hatred of ford is showing again.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Tell her that.

It is so well deserved.

spwolf

70+ people died due to the Ford tire problems, which is 14x more than mats in Toyota cars.

And those cars are still unsafe to drive today.

Ford recalled 15 million cars due to them catching fire as recently as 4-5 months ago... but those are small numbers.

LaHood stated 2 days ago that his agency will not rest, until every Toyota is safe. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know.

bnizzle87

it doesnt even matter if ford was at fault or the woman. its just really unfortunate to hear that a human being will never be able to walk again. 23 mill can be passed onto her children and grandchildren, after all health care expenses, but i think she'd be willing to pay all that and then some to get the use of her legs and walk again. it makes me more appreciative with each day that i am able to fully live and experience life.