I didn’t recall that, but it was minor compared to the Pinto (and not covered up). Both were shitboxes, but the Pinto was far more likely to burn you alive.

“While both the Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Vega had issues with fuel tank fires in rear-end collisions, the Ford Pinto is more widely associated with this problem and garnered more public attention due to the controversial nature of the case.

Ford Pinto Fuel Tank Issues:

Location and Design: The Pinto's fuel tank was located behind the rear axle, making it susceptible to damage and rupture in rear-end collisions.

Crash Test Results: Internal crash tests by Ford revealed the vulnerability of the fuel tank even at relatively low speeds (around 20-30 mph).

Controversy and Recall: Public outcry and lawsuits, fueled by an investigative article highlighting Ford's cost-benefit analysis that seemed to prioritize profits over safety, led to a large-scale recall of Pinto models.

NHTSA Involvement: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated the Pinto and ultimately directed Ford to recall the affected vehicles.

Chevrolet Vega Fuel Tank Issues: Reports of Fires: Ralph Nader referred to reports of engine fires in Vegas due to carburetor issues, potentially igniting spilled fuel.

Recall: General Motors recalled 130,000 Vegas to address a carburetor problem that could lead to engine fires.

NHTSA Data: However, NHTSA crash data indicated that Vegas performed better than Pintos in comparative crash tests regarding fuel system integrity. “