Product Liability Through the Eyes of Ford Motor Co

Product Liability

Through the Eyes of Ford Motor Co.

K G

Parkville University / Doctor John R. Hutcherson

MG 261 Business Law II

OUTLINE:

1. Introduction

a. Opening statement

b. Transitional theory

2. Product Liability

a. Define Product Liability

b. Elements of Product Liability

3. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

a. History of the NHTSA

b. NHTSA complaint and recall process defined

4. Ford Motor Company’s Product Liability of the Past

a. Product safety issue with leaking gasoline tank

b. Case Example

5. Ford Motor Company’s Product Liability in the Present

a. Product safety issue with unwanted airbag deployment

b. Case Example

6. Ford Motor Company’s response to unwanted airbag deployments

a. Decision

b. Result

7. Conclusion

a. Product liability redefined

b. Ford Motor Company’s responsibility and road to recovery

Product Liability Through the Eyes of Ford Motor Co.

Imagine driving what the carmakers claim to be a safe vehicle in bumper-to-bumper traffic or through a school-zone full of children. Most drivers assume the safety of their vehicles is without question; however, the truth could not be further from reality. From exploding gasoline tanks to the unwanted deployment of frontal airbags, bodily injuries from Ford Motor Company’s vehicles have been in the media forefront due to product liability issues since the 1970’s. What liability, if any, should the manufacturer incur for such occurrences? First, the author will explore the product liability portion of tort law, elements thereof, and what the United States Government enacted to ensure consumer safety. Furthermore, she will investigate the manufacturer’s history when they knowingly continued to sell defective vehicles, without warning current and potential consumers for days, weeks, and months after the first unfortunate accident occurred. Then, the author will follow Ford’s