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Consumer News & Alerts

January 14, 2008

By Martin H. Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.com

THE FORD FIRE TRADITION CONTINUES
For years, Ford truck and SUV owners have been shocked when their vehicles burst into flames without warning. Ford has recalled millions of vehicles and, along with federal safety regulators, has repeatedly pronounced the problem solved. Those promises don't set well with the Ford owners whose vehicles, garages and homes have been damaged or destroyed. And, as time rolls on, the list of disgruntled victims continues to grow, most recently including owners of Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute SUVs. Joe Benton has the latest installment in the saga.

HOW GREEN CAN YOUR DRIVE GET?
America has had a long-running love affair with the car from the moment the first Model-T chugged along a dirt road, and the vast size of our nation contributed to the automobile's primary place as our means of transit. But skyrocketing gas prices and environmental degradation are causing many Americans to look for alternatives to the typical gas guzzle. Our resident road junkie Tom Glaister takes a look at green-friendly driving, from ethanol to biodiesel to electric, and finds each alternative has benefits -- and drawbacks.

This week's automotive news...

• Toyota Sales for 2007 May Surpass GM GM has been No. 1 worldwide for 76 years.

• Prius Again Tops Owner Satisfaction Survey BMW 335i, Porsche Boxster close behind.

• Lexus EX35, Cadillac CTS Named Top Safety Picks Insurance Institute picks state-of-the-art vehicles.

• Feds Probe Airbag Failures in BMWs Inquiry could lead to a recall.

BANK OF AMERICA BUYS TROUBLED COUNTRYWIDE
Countrywide Financial, the country's largest mortgage lender, was flying high for awhile, with healthy home sales guaranteeing record profits for the company and exorbitant compensation for its CEO, Angelo Mozilo. But that was then. Now, in the wake of rising delinquency and foreclosure levels, Countrywide actually faced the looming specter of bankruptcy. However, at the last moment, relief for the markets arrived when Bank of America declared it would buy the troubled lender to shore up its mortgage malaise. Will it be enough?

RECESSION IN 2008? WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR YOU?
Economists, pundits, and other assorted bloviators are divided as to whether or not we're facing a recession or are already in one. But all you have to do is look around and see signs of trouble -- high costs for utilities and consumable goods, slow job creation, and maxed-out credit. But how do we know, exactly, if we're in a recession, and what does that mean for the average American? Mark Huffman investigates several economists' predictions of our financial future.

More financial news...

• 2008 Another Year of Record Profits for Insurers Overpricing policies, underpaying claims pays off big.

• FreeCreditReport.com Can Get Expensive Opt-out credit reports can run up big bills quickly.

• Paulson Defends Mortgage Plan Predicts 'slower growth' in markets due to housing turmoil.

• Food Prices Expected To Surge In 2008 Think gas is expensive? Just wait.

• Southwest Trims Schedule Recession fears, higher fuel costs blamed.

CPSC HEAD: RECALLS MEAN WE'RE DOING OUR JOB
In a classic case of of Washingtonian doublespeak, Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) head Nancy Nord claimed that the deluge of product recalls last year meant that her embattled agency was actually effectively policing products. Joseph Enoch reports that Nord also expressed support for House legislation that would beef up the CPSC, while consumer advocates criticized the bill as weak and too industry-friendly to be effective.

The latest scams and outrages...

• PeoplePC Settles Deceptive Marketing Case Earthlink subsidiary will refund hidden charges.

• First National Card: Too Good to be True? Skipping the fine print can get expensive, as David Wood explains.

The week's recalls...

• Tinker Bell Lamps

• Baby Town Pacifiers

• Torchiere Lamps Sold at Lowe's

• Credit Union Coin Banks

• A.O. Smith Whole-House Fan Motors

• Intermatic Digital Timers

• Honda ATVs

• InStep, Schwinn, Mongoose Trailer Bicycles

• Cannondale Scalpel Mountain Bikes

FCC TO INVESTIGATE COMCAST...AND CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE FCC
It's a coincidence you couldn't make up if you tried. Last week FCC chairman Kevin Martin pledged to investigate Comcast for its practice of blocking access to the popular file-sharing service BitTorrent, a decision that could shape the future of net neutrality legislation. At the same time, the House Energy & Commerce Committee informed Martin that it would be investigating the FCC for potential malfeasance in the wake of several high-profile business-friendly rulings. As Juvenal asked, who watches the watchmen?

WHY DO SENIORS GET FEWER FEVERS?
The "sweats" that accompany a virus or flu bug are actually a good thing -- a sign that your body's immune system is fighting off the infection. So why do seniors not feel the fever as effectively as younger people? Fred Cicetti answers the question in this week's "Healthy Geezer," and explains what you can do to avoid getting contaminated by various members of the microbe family.

This week's health news...

• Fast-Acting Alzheimer's Therapy Excites Researchers New therapy gets results within minutes, study claims.

• UCLA Researchers Find Autism Gene Evidence comes from families with autistic boys.

• FDA Warns Makers of 'Bio-Identical' Hormone Replacement Therapy Advertising may be false and deceptive, agency claims.

• FDA Approves Daily Cialis Dosage Daily dose may let men be more spontaneous.

• Afternoon Nap May Help Long-Term Memory Reason for improvement isn't clear.

• Lack of Vitamin D May Increase Heart Disease Risk Same deficiency can cause osteoporosis.

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