Blue Oval Guide Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 The sons of a Tongan prince killed in a California freeway crash have sued Ford Motor Co., claiming its sport utility vehicle's unsafe design was primarily responsible for their father's death. The lawsuit claims the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker knew the 1998 Ford Explorer carrying Prince Tu'ipelehake, 55, his wife, Princess Kaimana Aleamotu'a Tuku'aho, 46 and their driver, Vinisia Hefa, 36, had a tendency to "roll over or flip in turning maneuvers." Since 2000, Ford has won 27 of the 34 product liability or personal injury lawsuits it has faced involving the Explorer, Kinley said. READ MORE HERE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 The lawsuit claims the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker knew the 1998 Ford Explorer had a tendency to "roll over or flip in turning maneuvers." Apparently the large graphics on the sun visors failed to communicate this tidbit of intelligence to the drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Soze Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 I can't believe a prince would be driving an 8 year old Explorer. Would have expected a Cayenne or at least a Range Rover. What's the world coming to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 I dont know, but personally if the father was killed, and they are Prince', then I'm sure they stand to inherit quite a bit of money plus a step up in the throne...MAYBE the father dying in the accident wasn't a bad idea...and maybe they stand to inherit more money from their father, than poverty striken Ford But thats just me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one2gamble Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Apparently the large graphics on the sun visors failed to communicate this tidbit of intelligence to the drivers. makes you wonder why Jeep hasnt been in court constantly over the last 50 years..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-150 Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 I thought being Tongan royalty was just a wrestling gimmick. Who knew? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reynolds Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 (edited) I would've thought by 2006 most people were fully aware that ANY SUV is top heavy........I'm sure driving one reinforced that idea as well. Edited June 6, 2007 by Michael Reynolds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ Kanary Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Having survived my formative years being ferried about with my parents and three brothers in a 1942 Ford GPW, and later on in a 1961 Willys® Jeep® Station Wagon, I cannot envision purpose built 4WD vehicles being inherently unsafe............when operated in a manner that reflects their particular characteristics.The operator of said vehicle is responsible for being enlightened about the vehicle's strengths and weeknesses. {Since the GPW didn't even HAVE sun visors, there was no place to affix a warning placard. } <VBG> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drake Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 (edited) Apparently the large graphics on the sun visors failed to communicate this tidbit of intelligence to the drivers. You're assuming people can read. Edited June 6, 2007 by Drake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 (edited) You're assuming people can read. It's a picture! It shows an SUV tipping over! There's your proof Ford 'knew' that the Explorer has a 'tendency' to roll over. Edited June 6, 2007 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 (edited) It's a picture! It shows an SUV tipping over! There's your proof Ford 'knew' that the Explorer has a 'tendency' to roll over. problem is Rich...its not in Tongan.....the safety belt moniker could be construed as directions for suggested cuts to be inflicted on rival tribe members during hostilities and tribal warfare....... Edited June 6, 2007 by Deanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixt9coug Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 i thought the leaning SUV just universal for 'No Fat Chicks' either way its BS. i didnt read the link here as i read another one on Fordmuscle.com. when you get cut off by some punk kid in a Mustang and swerve in a full Explorer, well, tragic and unfortunate things can happen. its sad to hear this happened to the victims of the crash, but like the article on the other site said -"You should not be able to sue a company just because their product was happens to be involved in an accident, and the real guilty party doesn’t have any money. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERKURXR4Ti Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 It's California so the entire state will join hands and sue detroit The article mentions that the explorer is inherantly "unstable" well I'd say any car is unstable after it gets sideswiped at highway speeds. It's sad that this happened but seriously, let Ford go..they shouldn't be liable for people who don't heed warnings. WARNING! Operating a motor vehicle can sometimes be dangerous! (good now no one can sue the entire industry) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadrunner Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 Hold on guys -- I'm not sure that the 1998 model Explorer came with that rollover sticker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reynolds Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 I look forward to the lawsuits of some moron that rolled, or caused an accident, because they thought that roll stability control would save their butts no matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 I look forward to the lawsuits of some moron that rolled, or caused an accident, because they thought that roll stability control would save their butts no matter what. when the truth comes out we will probably find out that the driver was distracted by the ceremonial buried Pig and Kumura was being dug up from the third row seat cavity.....Hungi in an explorer.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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