Cost to Fix the Fuel Tank Issue in the Ford Pinto
The cost to fix the fuel tank issue in the Ford Pinto was a subject of significant debate and controversy. Ford conducted a cost-benefit analysis to determine the expense of addressing the fuel tank design defects in the Pinto. The analysis suggested that it would have cost an additional $11 per vehicle to implement the necessary safety improvements.
However, it’s important to note that there were alternative proposals for fixing the issue at a lower cost. For example, Goodyear proposed a rubber bladder that would encase the fuel tank, preventing leakage in the event of a rupture, with a total cost of less than $5 per vehicle. Despite these proposals, Ford ultimately decided against implementing these solutions and stuck with their estimate of $11 per vehicle.
The total estimated cost to fix the fuel tank issue, including engineering, production delays, and parts for tens of thousands of cars, was approximately $113 million. However, Ford’s analysis indicated that damage payouts would only cost about $49 million, leading to the decision not to proceed with the fix.
In summary, the estimated cost to fix the fuel tank issue in the Ford Pinto was approximately $11 per vehicle, but there were alternative proposals for lower-cost solutions that were not pursued by Ford.
Contents
- How much did the Ford Pinto lawsuit cost?
- How much is a Ford Pinto worth today?
- Was the Ford Pinto a death trap?
- How much did the Ford Pinto recall cost?
- What is the Ford fuel tank recall?
- How many people died from the Ford Pinto gas tank?
- What was the fault with the Ford Pinto?
- What car blew up when rear ended?
- Was Ford sued for the Pinto?
- Why did the Ford Pinto gas tank explode?
How much did the Ford Pinto lawsuit cost?
The lawsuit involved the safety of the design of the Ford Pinto automobile, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. The jury awarded plaintiffs $127.8 million in damages, the largest ever in US product liability and personal injury cases.
How much is a Ford Pinto worth today?
Q: What is the lowest sale price of a Ford Pinto? A: The lowest recorded sale price was $2,000 for a 1980 Ford Pinto Pony Wagon on Oct 5 2023. Q: What is the average sale price of a Ford Pinto? A: The average price of a Ford Pinto is $9,603.
Was the Ford Pinto a death trap?
As a result, the Pinto was highly vulnerable to lethal fires in rear-end collisions and was in fact a “fire trap” and a “death trap.” Ford decided to ignore the defect anyway, because re-design would have delayed the entry of the car into the market and caused a potential loss of market share to competitors.
How much did the Ford Pinto recall cost?
One month after publication of the NHTSA report, Ford recalled 1.5 million Pintos and Mercury Bobcats, which had similar fuel systems. It replaced the filler pipe and added two polyethylene shields to help protect the tank. Ford estimated the recall cost $20 million after taxes (Strobel, 1994).
What is the Ford fuel tank recall?
Ford has announced that 1282596 vehicles have been affected by a Fuel Tank recall. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Ford Focus vehicles with a 2.0L GDI or 2.0L GTDI engine. The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system.
How many people died from the Ford Pinto gas tank?
An official total of 27 deaths was tied to the vehicle, though some estimates are far higher. Of course, even at the conservative end of the spectrum, 27 preventable fatalities caused by a car with a propensity to explode and burn is still 27 too many.
What was the fault with the Ford Pinto?
The NHTSA concluded: 1971–1976 Ford Pintos have experienced moderate speed, rear-end collisions that have resulted in fuel tank damage, fuel leakage, and fire occurrences that have resulted in fatalities and non-fatal burn injuries …
What car blew up when rear ended?
Fighting strong competition from Volkswagen for the lucrative small-car market, the Ford Motor Company rushed the Pinto into production in much less than the usual time. Ford engineers discovered in pre-production crash tests that rear-end collisions would rupture the Pinto’s fuel system extremely easily.
Was Ford sued for the Pinto?
Between 1971 and 1978, approximately fifty lawsuits were brought against Ford in connection with rear-end accidents in the Pinto.
Why did the Ford Pinto gas tank explode?
The filler neck broke off and allowed fuel to pour out, where it could be easily be ignited, and 2.) The tank was often penetrated by contact with the differential mounting bolts and right shock absorber after a rear end collision. Ultimately, a total of 27 people were killed in rear-end crashes involving Pintos.
