1.   But Ford officials welcomed the consumer advisory as an indication that tire-related deaths were the result of tire problems and not a vehicle defect.

2.   But the Ford Motor Co. cited the advisory as evidence that scores of fatal crashes involving Explorers were the result of tire problems, not vehicle defects.

3.   MSHA can issue citations if inspectors find loose rock, poor ventilation, noise problems or vehicle defects.

4.   The presence of retail customers, the thinking goes, would slow the bidding and probably result in more disputes over vehicle defects.

5.   Ford has been accused before of denying vehicle defects it knew existed, most infamously with the Ford Pinto.

6.   Ford has been accused of covering up vehicle defects before, most infamously with the Ford Pinto.

7.   The campaign would have allowed the companies to avoid publicly acknowledging there was a vehicle defect.

8.   The campaign would have allowed the companies to avoid publicly acknowledging a vehicle defect that could affect safety.