ST. LOUIS (AP) – Enterprise-Rent-A-Car now says it will support federal legislation aimed at increasing oversight of how car rental firms manage safety recalls for vehicles in their fleets.

Consumer groups have been pushing for the additional oversight, spurred in part by a 2004 accident in California in which sisters Raechel and Jacqueline Houck died in a PT Cruiser rented from St. Louis-based Enterprise, the nation’s largest car rental company. The car had been under recall for a power steering problem, and Enterprise had not repaired the problem. A jury awarded $15 million to the Houck family two years ago.

Enterprise previously opposed additional government oversight, saying the company has taken steps to ensure the safety of its fleet. But on Thursday, Enterprise said in a statement that it has rethought that stance.

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