Interpretation ID: nht78-1.28

DATE: 01/26/78

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Howard J. Dugoff; NHTSA

TO: Howard Sturtz, M.D.

COPYEE: RALPH NADER

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: 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 columns 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 concern 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 automotive safety matters.

Sincerely,

ATTACH.

November 23, 1977

Ralph Nader -- Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Nader:

I am an orthopedic surgeon and am most interested in automobile safety. I belong to various organizations regarding automotive safety. Recently, I bought a Ford Van after prolonged investigation, believing that it was safer because of a supposed impact absorbing front end. However, the brochure did not indicate whether the steering column was energy absorbing. I have checked with the dealer, a local assembly plant, as well as "Ford Listens Better." A copy of this latter letter is enclosed. I have not to date received a reply. I have also checked with various organizations, none of which will provide me with an answer. I was hoping that perhaps you could "stimulate" the Ford Motor Company to provide me with some concrete information. I suspect that vans, being considered trucks, do not have the safety features such as an energy absorbing steering wheel that automobile drivers enjoy. Apparently, the automotive industry believes that truck drivers are expendable.

Any help that you can give me in this matter would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,

Howard Sturtz, M.D.

Enclosure

October 11, 1977

Ford Listens Better P.O. Box 1973 Dearborn, Michigan

Gentlemen:

I own a 1977 Ford Econoline Van in the 250 series. I have been most unsuccessful in determining whether the van has an energy absorbing steering wheel. I have been unable to get an answer from Ford other than the usual brochure on the van which does not include this information. I have also inquired from the National Safety Council and other agencies without success. I would appreciate it if you can inform me as to the type of steering column in the van and what the results might be in a front-end collision.

Sincerely,

Howard Sturtz, M.D.