The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "automobile recalls" ...
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Ford Fires
This investigation discovered that millions of Ford vehicles contained a combustion-prone part that has caused hundreds of fires, including some fatal ones, and it revealed which models had the part. Ford issued a recall of certain models one month after the story aired.
Tags: automobile safety; cars; fire; Ford; accidents
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A History of Fiery Deaths on the Road
A Los Angeles Times two -part series reports that "facing lawsuits, GM moved gas tanks of its C/K pickups inside the frame. But it denies the design was unsafe, and federal regulators retreated from a costly recall."
Tags: recall; pickups; automobiles; auto safety; GM; lawsuits; federal regulators; deaths; Fatal Accident Reporting System
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Deadly Driving: Safety Agency Puts Motorists at Risk
In an eight-month investigation, The Detroit News examined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and found "the federal agency created 35 years ago to make vehicles safer is failing consumers, leading to at least 3,100 deaths and 18,000 injuries each year." The agency also fails to find defects in cars and trucks and fails to force recalls for repairs.
Tags: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; federal agencies; NHTSA; auto safety; automobile recalls; vehicle defects; auto-safety issues
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Blowout
The National Journal examines how the Ford - Bridgestone/Firestone tire safety incident was a "case study in how corporations handle a Washington crisis." When the situation began in May of 2000, Ford was able to take immediate steps at diffusing the situation because of the large crisis response team it already had in place. Ford had a well-established Washington D.C. office for its lobbyists and legal teams to work out of as well as a PR firm to handle consumer issues. Conversely, Bridgestone/Firestone was left with no response team, and managed to take the majority of the flak for the recall. Bridgestone/Firestone went through several PR agency and legal firms during the course of the recall and subsequent Congressional hearings. As a result of the tire crisis Congress passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act, and Bridgestone/Firestone set up its first Washington office.
Tags: Transportation; automobile safety; tires; Bridgestone/Firestone; Ford
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The recall of Firestone tires used on Ford Explorers
On Aug. 1, USA Today alerted the nation to a problem a Houston, Texas television discovered months earlier: the treads on Firestone tires had peeled apart on 90 Ford Explorers killing four people. USA Today's national coverage of the problem contributed to Firestone's eventual recall of the defective tires.
Tags: Firestone tires; Ford Explorers; national exposure; recall; automobiles; cars; accidents; tread; peeling; tires; blow-outs; danger; autos; safety and regulation; tires; NHTSA; CAR
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What No One Else Will Tell You About Air Bags
WFMY-TV investigates the quality of air bags in a variety of vehicles, and finds that according to government documents some air bags have a history of killing people while others don't. The investigation also uncovered a government cover-up that appears to help auto makers avoid a costly recall of air bags. (October 31, November 11, 1996)
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No title (id: 12789)
CBC investigation into GM cars with brake defects that don't meet government safety standards, contrary to what GM has told the public. Investigation found many owners stuck with expensive repairs and a car that doesn't stop like it should, because GM ignored the advice of its own executives and wouldn't recall the car.(Nov. 21,1995)
Tags: McClure Contest entry Transportation Automobile Protection Agency Mechanics 12 pgs. TAPE
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No title (id: 9609)
WXII-TV (Winston-Salem, N.C.) runs a series on problems with the Saturn automobile two months before the company recalls them, June 15, 1993.
Tags: NC O'Neil 9 pages