The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced today that it was considering launching an investigation into the
design and safety of the
Ford Explorer. Ford Motor Company CEO Jacques Nasser stated that Ford would "welcome and encourage" such a review of its top selling Explorer SUV.
The safety of the Explorer has come under attack during the last year as the vehicle's propensity to rollover after a tire tread separation has become more apparent. Ford blames the safety woes on the Firestone tires that many Explorers ride on. Firestone in turn blames the Explorer's top heavy design and unstable handling characteristics for over 200 deaths that have recently occurred when the vehicle rolled over.
Any Federal investigation into the Explorer will likely take months to complete.