Geier v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. — Stevens, J., Dissenting

Summary

Justice Stevens, joined by Justices Souter, Thomas, and Ginsburg, dissents from the Court's holding that federal preemption bars state common-law tort claims against automobile manufacturers for failure to install airbags. He argues the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act does not expressly preempt such claims due to a saving clause, and implicit preemption does not apply because the federal safety standards set minimum requirements rather than maximum limits.