Editing Ford Pinto (section)

==Reception and criticism==
Upon release, the Pinto was received with both positive and negative reviews. ''[[Consumer Reports]]'' listed the Pinto as one of the "runners up" in a test of six subcompact cars—better in overall quality than the [[AMC Gremlin]] and about on a par with the [[Volkswagen Beetle]], but inferior to the "three winners" — [[Datsun 510]], [[Toyota Corona]] and [[Chevrolet Vega]].<ref>[[Consumer Reports]], January 1971, pp. 8-17.</ref> '' [[Road & Track]]'' faulted the suspension and standard [[drum brake]]s, calling the latter a "serious deficiency", but praised the proven 1.6&nbsp;L ''[[Ford Kent engine|Kent]]'' engine, adapted from European Fords. ''Super Stock Magazine'' found the fit and finish to be "superior" and were impressed with the car overall.<ref name=Pinto2000/> ''[[Car and Driver]]'' found the Pinto, when equipped with the larger 2.0L engine and front disc brakes, to be a nimble and powerful commuter car with good visibility and sports-car feel.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Chevrolet Vega vs Ford Pinto |url= http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/chevrolet-vega-vs-ford-pinto-archived-comparison |access-date=April 12, 2016 |magazine=Car and Driver |date=November 1971 |archive-date=July 15, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170715182520/http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/chevrolet-vega-vs-ford-pinto-archived-comparison|url-status=live}}</ref> A review of the 1974 Pinto with an automatic transmission by ''Car and Driver'' was not as favorable noting significant decreases in mileage and acceleration.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ford Pinto Runabout: The secret to small-car success cannot be found in an options list (Car and Driver magazine)|url= http://pintopage.fordpinto.com/Road%20Test.htm |website=fordpinto.com |date=June 1974 |access-date=2016-05-02 |archive-date=2019-11-16 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191116233800/https://pintopage.fordpinto.com/Road%20Test.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The later controversy surrounding the Pinto resulted in a negative legacy associated with the car and Ford's handling of the controversies. In 2004, ''[[Forbes magazine|Forbes]]'' included the Pinto among its fourteen ''Worst Cars of All Time,'' noting that its problems helped create an opening in the US market for small cars from Japan.<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |title=The worst cars of all time |magazine=Forbes |first=Dan |last=Lienert |url= https://www.forbes.com/2004/01/23/cx_dl_0126featslide_7.html |date=January 27, 2004 |access-date=March 6, 2016 |quote="You don't want to talk about the Pinto," said a Ford official. "Leave that one in the cemetery." Apparently, Ford has not forgotten the lawsuits and the public relations disasters forged by its Pinto hatchback and sedan. The Pinto's famous safety flaw, of course, was that it was prone to blowing up if rear-ended. When people talk about how bad American small cars created an opportunity for the Japanese to come in and clean house in the 1970s and '80s, they are referring to vehicles like this (and see Chevrolet Vega, second slide). |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191116233752/https://www.forbes.com/2004/01/23/cx_dl_0126featslide_7.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]] included the Pinto on lists of ''The Fifty Worst Cars of All Time''.<ref name=time20070907>{{cite news |last=Neil |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Neil (journalist) |url= http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658498_1657866,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070914092027/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658498_1657866,00.html  |archive-date= September 14, 2007 |title=1971 Ford Pinto – The 50 Worst Cars of All Time |magazine=Time |date=September 7, 2007 }}</ref> ''Time'', ''Popular Mechanics'', and NBC News have included the car in lists of most significant recalls.<ref name=time20090702>{{cite news |magazine=Time |title=Top 10 Product Recalls |url= https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1908719_1908717_1908696,00.html |date=July 2, 2009 |access-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200129122457/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1908719_1908717_1908696,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Popular Mechanics |title=5 Most Notorious Recalls of All Time |url= http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g261/4345725/?slide=2 |first=John Pearley |last=Huffman |date=February 12, 2010 |access-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191116233816/https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/g261/4345725/?slide=2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=nbc20130618>{{cite news |agency=NBC News |url= http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/18/19024405-take-that-back-famous-recalls-from-tylenol-to-toyota |date=June 18, 2013 |access-date=March 5, 2016 |first=Gillian |last=Spear |title=Take that back: Famous recalls, from Tylenol to Toyota |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191116233748/http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/18/19024405-take-that-back-famous-recalls-from-tylenol-to-toyota |url-status=live }}</ref>  The controversy also resulted in movies referencing the vehicle.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 22, 2023 |title=Product misplacement: 20-plus brands given unhelpful movie associations |first=John |last=Semley |url= http://www.avclub.com/product-misplacement-20-plus-brands-given-unhelpful-mo-1798237706 |magazine=Av Club |access-date=June 2, 2024  }}</ref><ref name=time20070907/>