In the 1970s, Ford knew the Pinto's fuel tank could explode in rear-end collisions. Internal documents revealed a cost-benefit analysis valuing human life at $200,000, concluding it was cheaper to pay lawsuits than fix the $11-per-vehicle problem. An estimated 27-180 people died in Pinto fires. A 1977 Mother Jones expose led to a recall of 1.5 million vehicles. Ford was charged with criminal homicide in a landmark case.