Auto recalls in the United States often involve millions of vehicles. The use of common interchangeable components and suppliers across model and brand lines inflate these auto recall numbers each year.
When defective seatbelts, airbags, fuel lines, transmissions, windows, tires or any other car parts are installed on millions of vehicles, the risk of roadway injuries and deaths increases dramatically.
When automakers fail to control their quality and provide basic safety features, federal oversight by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and product liability attorneys can help mitigate the losses and damages. The majority of injuries and deaths on the road are preventable, yet faulty auto design and manufacturing defects are still not always addressed in a timely fashion.
Many accident victims are left with huge medical expenses, lost wages, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and, in many cases, permanent injuries.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Auto Defect Lawyer and experienced Auto Recall attorney, well-versed in the economic impact, injuries and death have on a victim’s life and family.
Common Issues Affecting Auto Recalls
Who Issues Auto Recalls?
For financial reasons, automakers may be reluctant to recall their products, even when they know safety risks exist. A safety auto recall is an admission of a product flaw, and a company’s reputation for quality and safety are on the line. If any defect is not promptly addressed, however, the safety of any number of drivers and passengers could be jeopardized.
If a car or truck fails to meet safety specifications dictated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards—anything from windshield defrosting systems to air bags—it can lead to recalls, either initiated by a specific manufacturer, or by recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Automakers Regularly Issuing Auto Recalls
Every manufacturer in the auto industry has issued recalls for dangerous products at some point in their history. Some auto defects clearly create more road hazards than others, though any defective car or truck may increase the risk of accident and injury. Companies who have been targeted in injury and product liability lawsuits include the following:
Common Injuries in Auto Recall Accidents
A large portion of auto-related injuries in Ohio are considered preventable. Accidents and subsequent injuries may be the result of negligent manufacturing or design of an automobile. Carmakers and component suppliers may be held liable if a defect leads to an injury. Some common injuries include the following:
- Fiat Chrysler led most automakers in 2017 recalls with nearly 4 million vehicles recalled for defective roll sensors and airbag deployment, parking rollaway defects, and faulty oil cooler lines. Some affected models included Ram pickup trucks, Dodge Charger, and the Challenger SRT Hellcat. Five different cars were said to have an alternator fire risk: The Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee. An airbag recall was issued for 538,000 Dodge Journey crossovers for a faulty wiring that could lead to accidental airbag deployment.
- Of Honda’s 3.3 million recalled cars in 2017, more than 1.1 million were Accords that were known to have a fire risk involving the battery and electric shorts. Thousands of 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey minivans were recalled for second-row seats that may not latch securely, increasing the risk of passenger injury.
- Ford recalled 1.1 million 2015-2017 F-Series trucks for potential bent or kinked door actuator cables and door latches that may freeze and lead to safety concerns.
- Seat belt linkage problems caused Hyundai to recall nearly a million 2011-2014 Sonatas and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrids. In event of collisions, both front seat belts may detach from the anchor and increase the chance of occupant injury. Hyundai also issued recalls for Sonata and Santa Fe Sport models because of manufacturing errors that could limit oil delivery and lead to a seized engine and a road safety hazard while on the road.
- BMW recalled over 672,000 3-Series models because of a potential short circuit and fire risk. BMW also recalled 2014-2018 BMW i3 electric cars because drivers may be at higher risk of neck injury in the event of a frontal crash.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a 2017 investigation into Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi models due to fuel leaks from flanges made by German automotive supplier Continental Automotive Systems Inc., that could potentially cause fires.
- Tesla recalled thousands of Model S and Model X models for both a parking brake issue and improperly adjusted cables in seat backs.
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Hyundai warned SUV owners to park outdoors because an electrical computer short may cause vehicles to catch fire. The automaker recalled about 180,000 Tucson SUVs from 2019 through 2021. The company says corrosion can cause a short circuit in defective anti-lock brake circuit boards that can cause a fire even if engines are turned off. Hyundai says some engine fires caused by the problem have been reported but no injuries. Kia recalled more than 9,000 Stinger sports cars for a similar problem. The recalls are the latest engine fire problems that have plagued the automakers.
BMW Recall
BMW recalled 1.6 million cars worldwide due to possible fluid leaks that may result in a fire. The defect includes some BMW diesel vehicles, noting that coolant can leak from the exhaust gas recirculation module, part of the emissions reduction system. The coolant leaks at high temperatures may lead to a car fire.
The further recall is in addition to 480,000 BMW vehicles in Asia and Europe after fires were reported in South Korea. The recall covers vehicles made between 2010 and 2017. Over 54,000 vehicles could be affected in the U.S and Canada, posing a fire risk.
When a negligent automaker like BMW is responsible for an accident or fire that leads to injury, the carmaker may be liable for all damages, and plaintiffs may seek compensation for property damages, medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Defective design product liability cases arise not because a mistake was made during the manufacturing process, but rather the original design of the product is unreasonably dangerous.
A “risk benefit analysis” is used to determine whether safer/less expensive alternative designs were available to the manufacturer. Federal regulations set minimum standards for the design of many consumer products, and preemption defenses may preclude liability in some situations if the manufacturer follows and obtains federal approval for a product.
Automotive recalls and product liability cases are usually a result of a defective design. Common cases include Brake Recalls, defective seat belt buckles, automotive software defects, airbag defects, and several other safety issues.
Car manufacturers like BMW need to be held accountable so American consumers are protected on the roadways. If a safety issue exists and an injury is sustained, contact an Ohio auto recall lawyer to review the case.
When automakers like BMW fail to control quality, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and product liability attorneys can issue recalls and file lawsuits to hold companies responsible. The majority of road injuries are preventable, particularly with auto defects. Contact an Ohio auto recall lawyer to discuss the legal options available.
Auto Recall Settlements
If a negligent automaker or component manufacturer is responsible for an accident that leads to injury, the negligent party may be liable for all damages and economic loss that results. The injured party may be entitled to compensation for property damages, medical costs (past and future), lost wages, loss of future earning potential, and pain and suffering.
Unfortunately, man auto recalls are issued too late—long after a particular defect leads to accidents and serious injuries. Manufacturers need to be held accountable for their actions, and encouraged to have the foresight and proper controls in place so American consumers are protected on the roadways.
Far too often, automakers will deny that a problem exists or ignore obvious safety concerns until they face enough pressure from victims and product liability legal teams.
