Rental Car Companies Putting Recalled Cars on the Road.

(Dive Travel Business News - July 20, 2010) -- Investigations into car rental companies by ABC News has revealed that companies like Enterprise, National, and Alamo rent out cars under safety recalls prior to them being fixed.

This secret information was revealed by a rental car company during a court case in California that involved the death of two women due to a malfunctioning PT Cruiser. In one affidavit, an Enterprise manager pretty much said that if there is demand, the cars are rented out regardless of any safety issues.

Sisters Raechel and Jacquie Houcks were killed instantly after their Enterprise rental car caught fire and hit an oncoming semi-tractor trailer on Highway 101 in northern California in 2004. For five years and right up to two weeks before the trial, Enterprise lawyers maintained the position that the eldest sister was negligent in the way she drove the car and therefore was responsible for her death and the death of her sister.

Enterprise also tried to bargain with a $3 million settlement offer that would have prevented the Houck family from talking about their case against Enterprise. After Enterprise's admission of negligence, an Alameda County jury awarded the family $15 million earlier this year.

Certainly now Enterprise is paying much greater attention to the recalls in the wake of the Houck case. Enterprise says because there are so many auto safety recalls, it has to evaluate each one on a case by case basis.

The company says it recently grounded and repaired 2010 Grand Cherokees because of passenger side airbag concerns. And this year, Enterprise says, it grounded more than 35,000 Toyotas and Pontiac Vibes because of potentially sticky accelerator pedals.

Jaunted.com advises extra vigiliance in choosing a rental car: They suggest that before taking a rental car off the lot, look for proof of repair orders for car brands that have had safety recalls. 

Image Credit: ABC News

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