The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced an investigation of Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans after reports that several tire jacks had collapsed, posing a safety hazard, according to news reports.
About 206,000 total vehicles are involved in the investigation from the 2004-2005 model years. The NHTSA has received five total complaints from consumers about the jacks and one account from Ford itself about the jacks. Three injuries occurred and one man died when the minivan fell onto a man working beneath it.
After investigating the jacks, the NHTSA reported that the problem seems to be with the slotted hinge joints separating under the pressure of the weight of the vehicle.
Ford has announced that they intend to fully cooperate with the government agency as they investigate the issue, including the reported fatality.
As a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney, I am very sorry to hear of a fatality that was caused by a defective product. Even with all of the regulations that are imposed upon products, mistakes can still be made and often the consumer is the victim of such mistakes. If you or someone you know has been injured by a faulty car product, I recommend you contact a product defect lawyer as soon as possible to help you with your case. You many be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering you have experienced.
