Controversy Surrounding Enterprise Rent-a-Car Begs Questions from NHTSA

In August, controversy began around the deletion of side airbags from GM Impalas and other vehicles by Enterprise Rent-a-Car, resulting in action by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The NHTSA has made the decision to question automakers on whether they allow fleet owners to remove measures of safety such as airbags from their purchases.  This will begin from model year 2011.

What the NHTSA identifies as some “misleading” information that was provided by GM has raised questions.  This information was specifically related to Chevrolet, Cobalt and Buick LaCrosse models.  It seems that GM listed the 2006 to 2008 models of Chevrolet Impalas and 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt as coming with side airbags, while rental car companies and other fleet customers had these airbags deleted on thousands of 2006 through 2009 models enabling them to save up to $145 for each vehicle.

An investigation was conducted last month into Enterprise, who allegedly had the side airbag feature deleted from up to 66,000 Impalas they purchased.  According to this investigation, the company’s website did not mention that this safety feature had been removed on some of the cars, resulting in customers purchasing the cars without this knowledge.  The investigation further concludes that GM may have sold in excess of 200,000 vehicles that did not have side airbags to fleet owners like Enterprise.  This ultimately means that many people who have purchased these models from Enterprise may have vehicle without side airbags, although they were not informed of this fact.

This investigation has sparked an enormous amount of rage and controversy since the story broke.  California defective airbag attorneys have discussed the details in depth, and the media has broke loose on all fronts with the story.  In early September, GM announced that this practice will not be continued, and that fleet owners will not be able to remove the side airbag feature when purchasing 2010 models.

While side airbags are not a standard feature on all models of cars, they are meant to protect people from sustaining serious injuries when involved in an accident that results in being struck from the side.  Because this measure is instrumental in preventing injuries and saving lives, many manufacturers have already made this feature standard on some models prior to the 2010 deadline.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including car accident victims.  For a free consultation, please contact us at (800) 644-8000.