Interpretation ID: aiam2736
M.D.
1479 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek
California 94598;
Dear Dr. Sturtz: Mr. Ralph Nader forwarded to me your letter dated November 23, 1977 concerning your difficulty in determining whether your 1977 Ford Econoline van is equipped with an energy absorbing steering column.; Ford Econoline vans are equipped with conventional steering column that are not energy absorbing. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 203, *Steering Control Impact Protection*, and No. 204, *Steering Control Rearward Displacement*, are currently only applicable to passenger cars, so manufacturers are not required to have energy absorbing steering columns on van vehicles. Ford has not voluntarily equipped its vans with such steering systems.; The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shares your concer in this subject. As a matter of fact, the agency has initiated high priority rulemaking proceedings to extend the applicability of Several passenger car standards, including Standards 203 and 204, to both vans and light trucks.; Please let me know if you would like further information on automotiv safety matters.; Sincerely, Howard J. Dugoff, Deputy Administrator