Product Liability Law Blog

It’s only Wednesday, and already three major auto manufacturers have announced recalls of their vehicles due to possible vehicle defects. Our auto products liability lawyers will continue to monitor these problems, and we ask that you contact us immediately for a free consultation if you believe that you or someone you love sustained injuries related to these issues.

On Monday, General Motors announced that it is recalling 1.3 million Pontiac and Chevrolet compact cars in the United States, Mexico, and Canada because the vehicles’ power steering motors might fail. Vehicles involved in the GM recall include:

• Chevrolet Cobalts, 2005 – 2010 models
• Pontiac Pursuit, 2005 and 2006 models
• Pontiac G5s, 2007 – 2010 models
• Pontiac G4’s, 2005 and 2006 models

General Motors says that although the problem is not making the vehicles less safe to drive, they can be harder to steer when the car is moving at speeds lower than 15 mph. Because the condition doesn’t usually develop until after the vehicle has been driven for 20,000 to 30,000 miles, older models will be repaired first.

On Tuesday, Nissan announced the global recall of 540,000 sport utility vehicles, minivans, and pickup trucks so that inaccurate fuel gauges and faulty brake pedal pins can be repaired. The recall over the brake pedal pins comes following three reports that braking ability was impended when these devices became partially disengaged. The 179,000 vehicles affected in the US include (2008 – 2010 models):

• Quest
• Titan
• Infiniti
• Armada

The automaker is recalling another 419,000 Nissan vehicles over an unrelated fuel-gauge problem that can result in inaccurate fuel readings. For example, the gas tank may be empty even though the gauge shows that the tank still contains gas. Autos affected include the (2005 – 2008 models):

• Titan
• Infiniti QX53
• Armada

Also recalled by Nissan (these vehicles were made between Jan- March 2006 and October 2007 – January 2008):

• Frontiers
• Xterras
• Pathfinders

Last, but not least, today Mazda announced that it is recalling 12,300 CX-9 crossover SUV’s because of the possibility that their electronically heated seats might overheat. This defect may damage the seat surface, drain the car battery, or cause a fire.

This Mazda recall really burns my ..., CNN, March 3, 2010

Nissan recall: Steps to take if your car is on the list, The Christian Science Monitor, March 3, 2010

GM Recalls 1.3 Million Cars: What's Behind All These Vehicle Recalls?, Daily Finance, March 2, 2010

GM to recall 1.3 million compacts for steering problem, Washington Post, March 1, 2010

Related Web Resources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Recalls.gov

Continue reading "As General Motors Recalls 1.3 Million Vehicles, Nissan Recalls 540,000 Pickup Trucks and Minivans and Mazda Recalls 12,300 SUVs" »

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Posted In: Air Bags , Auto Recalls , Automotive Product Liability

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Even as Toyota dealers are repairing most of their new cars that were recalled over a gas pedal defect so they are ready to be sold, now there is more bad news for the automaker. According to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there has been an increase in the number of consumer complaints over Toyota’s vehicles in the wake of its recall of 8.5 million vehicles over problems with the brakes, floor mats, and gas pedals.

Since January 27, NHTSA says it has received new complaints of Toyota acceleration accidents that allegedly happened between 2005 and 2010 and resulting in 10 injuries and 13 deaths. These figures are in addition to reports of another 21 fatalities that are being linked to Toyota cars.

According to the New York Times, one deadly accident involved a Harvard University professor, 63, who lost control of his 2005 Toyota Highlander and crashed into another vehicle. The New Hampshire car crash claimed the lives of both drivers and two of the professor’s family members. Police were not able to determine what caused the motor vehicle collision and the 2005 Toyota Highlander is not among the vehicles recalled. Another fatal crash involves a man who was killed in a single Texas car crash when his 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck struck a pole last January.

After the car manufacturer recalled its 2010 Prius hybrid autos last week, NHTSA says that from February 3 – 11 it received 996 consumer complaints alleging 34 Toyota car crashes that resulted in six injuries. Prior to launching its investigation, NHTSA had 124 consumer complaints on record.

Already, Newsoxy.com reports that a widow has filed a Nebraska auto products liability lawsuit suing Toyota for her husband’s wrongful death. He died when their Prius accelerated and crashed.

Meantime, new safety issues continue to arise. On Friday, Toyota announced that it was voluntarily recalling 8,000 2010 Tacoma four-wheel drive pickup trucks because possible cracks on the front drive shaft might cause the joint portion and the shaft to separate from one another. If this happens, the driver can lose control of the vehicle.

Number of Toyota complaints keeps climbing, CNN Money, February 15, 2010

Toyota Tacoma Recall Announced, MyFox, February 13, 2010

Toyota Recall News Reveals Tacoma and Prius Lawsuit, NewsOxy, February 16, 2010

U.S. Gets Additional Complaints of Crashes of Toyotas, New York Times, February 15, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corp.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Toyota Acceleration Defects Now Allegedly Linked to 34 Car Accident Deaths" »

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Posted In: Auto Recalls , Brake Defects , Gas Pedals

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Toyota Motor Corp announced two separate recalls today. The first recall involves a global recall of 437,000 2010 Toyota hybrids—Prius, Lexus, and Sai—over issues with the vehicles’ anti-lock braking system. Last week, the automaker admitted that there was a problem with the software that controls the brake system. Approximately 125 Prius owners have filed complaints about the defect, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a formal probe into the matter.

In the US, the recall affects 133,000 Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus Division 2010 HS 250h vehicles. The fix involves updating the ABS software.

Toyota also announced the recall of 7,300 2010 Camrys over a brake defect. The NHTSA says that the problem involves a power steering hose that is too long and is at risk of wearing out the left rear brake tube by rubbing against it, potentially causing a brake fluid leak. This can make it harder for a motorist to stop the vehicle. The NHTSA says it is also looking into complaints it has received about the steering on some of Toyota's Corollas (2009 and 2010 models).

Also today, Honda says it is expanding a recall it issued in July 2009 because of a problem with the airbag inflator on some of its Accords, Civics, and Acura TLs. 2001 and 2002 Civics, Accords, CR-Vs, Odysseys, certain 2002 Acura TLs, and possibly one Acura CL and one Honda Pilot are affected. The automaker is recalling 433,000 vehicles globally. 379,000 of the autos are in the US.

The car manufacturer says there has been 12 incidents reported involving problems with the airbag inflator. Although all of them took place prior to the original recall, Honda says it wants to make sure that all vehicles with this particular defect are examined.

It was less than two weeks ago that Honda announced a global recall of 646,000 Fit, Jazz, and City (2007 and 2008) models over a power window switch-related fire hazard. 141,000 Fits sold in the US were included in the recall. Two Fits reportedly caught fire while seven others overheated.

Our auto products liability lawyers have helped many car accident victims and their families obtain personal injury and wrongful death recovery from negligent automakers.

Honda recalls 438,000 cars for airbag hazard, CNN Money, February 10, 2010

Toyota Corolla Complaints Being Reviewed By U.S. (Update2), BusinessWeek, February 9, 2010

3rd UPDATE: Toyota To Recall 437,000 Hybrids As Prius Concerns Add To Woes, The Wall Street Journal, February 9, 2010

Honda recalls 646,000 Fits for fire hazard, CNN, January 29, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corporation

Honda

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Big Day for Auto Recalls: Toyota Recalls 437,000 Lexus and Prius and More than 7,300 Camrys while Honda Expands Previous Airbag Inflator—Related Recall with Another 437,000 Vehicles" »

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Posted In: Air Bags , Auto Recalls , Brake Defects , WIndows

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Expanding upon its auto recall from last November of 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles, the automaker announced that it is including another 1.1 million vehicles to the recall list. The recall was issued because of the possibility that the gas pedal could get caught on the removable floor mat, causing the vehicle to accelerate to the highest speeds and making it impossible to stop the car even when stepping on the brakes.

Added to the original list of vehicles that were recalled are the:

• Pontiac Vibe: 2009, 2010 models
• Matrix: 2009, 2010 models
• Venza: 2009, 2010 models
• Corolla: 2009, 2010 models
• Highlander: 2009, 2010 models

A floor mat that jammed a gas pedal was the cause of a deadly car crash last August that left one motorist unable to stop the vehicle he was driving. The driver, his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law all died in the Toyota runaway car crash.

The expansion of last November’s recall comes one week after Toyota announced a separate recall, this one involving 2.3 million vehicles because of a problem that can cause the accelerator pedal to stick after its mechanisms become worn (a deterioration that usually occurs gradually). In the event that it does happen, however, the gas pedal may become harder to step on and it may take longer to return to its original position when released. There is also the possibility that it can get stuck in a partially depressed position. Following the recall, the automaker called on its dealers to temporarily stop selling and making 8 of its models until a solution is found.

Bob Carter, Toyota USA group vice president, issued a statement declaring that it was important to the car manufacturer that customers are kept safe and their confidence in the company is restored. Meantime, Toyota has extended its recalls to include vehicles in Europe and China.

Gas pedal and accelerator defects can cause serious personal injury and wrongful death. When a motorist cannot stop a vehicle that accelerates out of control, the chances the auto will drive into oncoming traffic, off the road, or into the vehicle in front of it goes up dramatically.

With Recall Expanding, Toyota Gives an Apology, The New York Times, January 29, 2010

Toyota recalls top 5.3 million vehicle, CNN Money, January 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corp.

Safecar.gov

Continue reading "Toyota Recalls Another 1.1 Million Autos Over Floor Mat – Gas Pedal Defect " »

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Posted In: Auto Recalls , Floor Mats , Gas Pedals

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A faulty gas pedal that can get stuck has prompted another large auto recall by Toyota in the US. Last Thursday, the car manufacturer announced it was recalling about 2.3 million autos in the US. Toyota will likely recall another 2 million autos in Europe over the same auto defect.

The massive recalls come at a bad time for the automaker, whose reputation for making safe, reliable cars has taken a beating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Toyota recalled more than 4.8 million motor vehicles last year. 4.26 Lexus and Toyota autos were recalled because of acceleration problems that were linked to faulty floor mats and gas pedals that needed to be replaced. Four family members died last August in a California car accident because the driver’s floor mat had jammed the gas pedal, making it impossible for the motorist to stop the car when he stepped on the brakes.

Over 60 incidents involving runaway Toyotas have been reported since last year’s recalls were announced. According to ABC News, many Toyota owners have reported electronic problems that are not connected to their floor mats. On December 26, four people were killed in a Texas car accident when their Toyota sped off the road, hit a fence, and landed upside down. The floor mats had already been removed from inside the vehicles and were found in the trunk.

A USA Today article reports that although Toyota knew as early as last year that there were “sticky-throttle” issues related to the gas pedal, the car maker did not think that the problems were serious enough to warrant a recall. Toyota finally announced a recall last week because the gas pedal defect trend had increased.

Vehicles included in last week’s recall include the:

• Matrix: 2009, 2010 models
• RAV 4: 2009, 2010 models
• Corolla: 2009, 2010 models
• Avalon: 2005 – 2010 models
• Sequoia: 2008 – 2010 models
• Camry: 2007 – 2010 models
• Tundra: 2007 – 2010 models
• Highlander: 2010 model
• Pontiac Vibe: 2009 model

Toyota is still figuring out how to fix the problem. The gas pedal defect appears to involve premature wear on certain parts in the CTS throttle assemblies.

Our auto products liability lawyers would like to offer you a free consultation to discuss your Toyota gas pedal defect case.

Toyota knew of sticky-throttle problem late last year, USA Today, January 25, 2010

TOYOTA RECALL: Reports of Runaway Cars, ABC News, January 21, 2010

Toyota To Recall About 2M Vehicles In Europe Due To Pedal Defect-Source, The Wall Street Journal, January 25, 2010

Toyota issues recall for 2.3 million vehicles, MSNBC, January 22, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Unintended Acceleration: Toyota Addresses the Issues, Toyota, November 6, 2009

Toyota Says Cars to Get Smart Gas Pedals, NY Times, November 25, 2009

Continue reading "Gas Pedal Defect Prompts Toyota Recall of Another 2.3 Million Vehicles in US " »

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Posted In: Auto Recalls , Gas Pedals

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Following its recall of 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles because the floor mat on the driver side could trap the accelerator pedal and cause it to jam, Toyota has announced that it will remedy the auto defect by replacing the gas pedal with a modified pedal while it develops a permanent replacement pedal for the vehicles.

Toyota says it will shorten the gas pedal by approximately 20 millimeter and in some models the flooring will be changed to prevent the floor mat from interfering with the gas pedal. The auto manufacturer will also provide newly designed driver- and front-passenger all weather floor mats.

As an additional confidence measure, Toyota says a brake override system will be installed in some of the recalled vehicles. This is to ensure that the auto can be stopped in the event that the accelerator and brake pedals are activated at the same time. In the meantime, owners of the recalled vehicles are advised to take out the floor mat on the driver’s side and not replace them with another mat until the fixes have been made.

Toyota’s reputation for making safe cars has taken a beating in the last couple of months. This recall, its largest to date, was announced after four family members died in a California car accident because their Lexus ES 350 accelerated to about 100 mph and the car wouldn’t stop because the floor mat had jammed the gas pedal. The Saylors apparently aren’t the only ones who have experienced acceleration problems with their Toyota vehicle.

Also last week, Toyota announced the recall of 110,000 Tundra trucks (2000-2003 models). The recall in the US only affects pickup trucks in Washington DC and 20 US states where de-icing substances, such as road salts, might cause the truck’s frame to experience “excessive corrosion” that could dislodge the vehicle’s spare tire, creating a hazard for other vehicles, or damage the rear brake lines, which could cause brake failure.

The recall affects Tundras in Wisconsin, West Virginia, Vermont, Rhode Island, Virginia, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Delaware, and Connecticut.

Our auto products liability law firm represents clients throughout the US who were injured in car accidents that were caused by defective auto parts. We’ve gone up against the largest car manufacturers in the world and won products liability and wrongful death recovery for injured parties and their families.

Toyota Announces Fix for Accelerator Pedal Entrapment Problem, NHTSA, November 25, 2009

Toyota recalls 100,000 Tundra trucks, CNN Money, November 24, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Toyota News Releases, Toyota

Toyota Recalls 3.8 Million Vehicles, September 29, 2009

Continue reading "Toyota Says it Will Fix Accelerator Pedal Defect on 3.8 Million Recalled Autos" »

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Posted In: Auto Recalls , Automotive Product Liability , Floor Mats

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Auto manufacturing giant Toyota is sending out letters to the owners of 3.8 million vehicles telling them to remove the floor mat on the driver’s side until they fix the problem that killed four people on August 28. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the tragic car crash could have been avoided.

Mark Saylor, his wife, daughter, and brother-in-law died. Saylor was unable to stop when the floor mat jammed the gas pedal. The car careened down and off a freeway until it crashed and burned. Prior to the deadly crash, someone in the car had called 911 saying that the brakes didn’t seem to be working.

According to the government investigators, the Lexus ES 350 involved in the crash had a start-stop push button. The vehicle does not come with a device that immediately shuts down the car. The engine however, can be turned off in three seconds by activating using a software push button. The Lexus owner's manual does not indicate this to users. No instructions were printed on the dashboard.

The NHTSA report also points out other potential auto defects that may have contributed to the fatal car crash:

• The floor mats in the Lexus ES 350 that the Saylor family was riding were not made for use with this vehicle. They were manufactured for the Lexus RX 400h SUV.

• The gas pedal was lacking a center pivot that could have made it easier to get it out from under the floor mat.

Meantime, a number of auto products liability lawyers are pointing to the engine throttle control system as another possible cause for the deadly accident. They say a defect may be what caused the Lexus that Saylor was driving to accelerate to such a high speed. The NHTSA report says the vehicle was traveling at about 100 mph. At that speed, the motor vehicle was traveling the span of one and a half times the length of a football field every three seconds.

More than floor mats: NHTSA report gives more details on Lexus crash, Consumer Reports, October 29, 2009

Toyota recall update: Lose-the-floor-mat letters go out Friday, no permanent solution in sight, USA Today, October 29, 2009

Recall won’t end acceleration accidents, lawyers claim, Wisconsin Law Journal, October 9, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Read the NTSB Report (PDF)

Toyota USA Newsroom

Toyota Recall, List of Vehicles Affected, PR News, September 29, 2009

Continue reading "Deadly Auto Defects: NHTSA Identifies Possible Design Flaws that May Have Contributed to Toyota Car Crash Involving Floor Mat" »

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Over the last 10 years, Ford Motor Co. has issued several recalls over a cruise-control deactivation switch that is considered a potential fire hazard. There is concern that if hydraulic fluid leaks from the switch, the car might overheat even when the ignition is off, which may start a fire. Already, several auto products liability lawsuits have been filed over the defect. Ford, however, is quick to point out that most of the complaints have been demands for compensation over property damage that the fires allegedly caused.

There have, however, been injuries and deaths. One family sued Ford for wrongful death after 74-year-old Darletta Mohlis died when her home burned down after a 1996 Ford truck caught fire in the garage. Another woman sustained second-degree burns and lost her cat and house when their Ford Expedition also caught fire in the garage.

Last week, Ford recalled another 4.5 million vehicles over the same issue, increasing the number of autos affected to more than 14 million. This was also the largest single recall in the automaker’s history.

Vehicles included in this latest recall:

• F53 Motorhomes (1994 model)
• Ford Econoline vans (1992 – 2003 models)
• Ford Rangers (1995-1997, 2001- 2003 models)
• Ford Excursion diesel vehicles (2000-2003 models)
• Ford Windstars (1995 – 2003 models)
• Ford Explorers and Mountaineers (1995 – 2002 models)
• F-Super Duty diesels (1993-1997, 1999-2003 models)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants Ford users to check for indicators that a vehicle may be a possible fire hazard: malfunctioning brake lights, a cruise-control system that is not working properly, problems moving the vehicle out of park gear, or brake warning lights that are lit up on the vehicle’s dashboard.

The risk of a fire hazard may be especially high for the Ford Windstars. Ford says the 3.4 million other autos that are part of the recall were included because they also were made with the Texas Instruments switch. Texas Instruments, however, says that the switch is just one component in Ford's system.

Ford Is Recalling More Vehicles Over Fire Problem, New York Times, October 13, 2009

Ford Recalls 4.5 Million Vehicles Because of Fire Hazard, Wall Street Journal, October 13, 2009

Ford Document: Millions of vehicles have fire risk part, CNN, June 27, 2005

Iowa family suing ford over fire, CNN, June 17, 2005

Related Web Resources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Ford Recalls

Continue reading "Ford Recall of 4.5 Million Autos Over Faulty Cruise Control Deactivation Switch Increases Number of Vehicles Affected to Over 14 Million " »

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Posted In: Auto Recalls , Automotive Product Liability

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Last week, Toyota announced what to date is its largest auto recall ever. 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota cars are to be called back over concerns that the all-weather floor mat might cause the accelerator pedal to jam. The recall comes one month after a California highway patrol officer and his family died in a tragic car crash after he was unable to stop his 2009 Lexus ES 350.

Witnesses say the vehicle that CHP Officer Mark Saylor was driving was moving at a very high speed and flames were emanating from the tires before it crashed. Someone who made a 911 call from the vehicle said that the brakes weren’t working. Police investigating the tragic car wreck believe that the gas pedal got stuck in the rubber mat.

On Friday, Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota, called the accident “extremely” regrettable. He offered his condolences and remorse.

The deadly car crash involving the Saylor family is not the first time that similar problems with the floor mat have been reported. More than 100 complaints have been filed over the dangerous floor mats, including reports of several deaths and numerous injuries.

Just this summer, Troy Edwin Johnson’s family settled a wrongful death claim against Toyota for auto products liability. Johnson died in July 2007 when a Toyota Camry speeding at about 120 miles per hour struck his vehicle. His body was severely burned in the fiery car crash. An investigation by police revealed that the Camry’s driver tried to stop her vehicle but that the vehicle’s floor mat may have caused the gas pedal to jam.

Auto Products Liability
Car manufacturers are supposed to make sure their autos are free from defects. When auto defects are discovered, the automaker must remedy the problem so that injuries and deaths are prevented. With respect to the deadly floor mats, The New York Times says that Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has known about their defective design since at least March 2007 after five complaints were made. This prompted a recall. Research conducted at a NHTSA test center determined that because of the accelerator pedal’s design, it could easily become entrapped in the rubber groove of a floor mat that wasn’t properly secured.

If you or someone you love was injured in a car crash that was caused by an auto defect, do not hesitate to contact an experienced auto products liability law firm about your wrongful death or personal injury case.

President of Toyota Apologizes, NY Times, October 3, 2009

Floor mat may have trapped accelerator in CHP officer's crash, death, SignonSanDiego, September 9, 2009

Toyota Floor Mat Recall Could Have Been Issued Earlier, About Lawsuits, October 4, 2009

Toyota: 3.8 million cars with risky floor mats, CNN Money, October 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Toyota News Releases, Toyota

Safer Car, NHTSA

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Posted In: Auto Recalls , Automotive Product Liability , Floor Mats

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American Honda Motor Company says it is adding another 440,000 Honda autos to a recall it announced last November over a possible defect in the vehicles’ airbag inflation systems. 2001 Civics, 2001-2002 Accords, and 2002-2003 Acura TL’s are included in this expanded recall, but not all autos from these model years are part of the recall.

At least one death and six injuries are being linked to the airbag defect, which involves “airbag inflators that produce over-pressurization of the driver’s front airbag inflator mechanism” when the airbag deploys. This can cause a rupture in the inflator casing. Metal fragments might then go through the airbag cushion’s cloth material, possibly injuring or killing a vehicle occupant.

Car owners whose vehicles may be potentially affected by the recall will get a recall notice in the mail. Honda also has directed owners that have models mentioned to check the car maker’s Web site for more information (see link below).

While airbags are designed to keep people safe during a car accident, this isn’t always the case. One reason for this is that the increase in airbag manufacturing has led to an increase in injuries caused by defective air bag systems.

According to Safercar.gov, in the last 21 years, frontal air bags saved the lives of 25,782 people. However, in order to save people’s lives, the airbag has to deploy in the correct way at the correct time. In the last 12 years, over 4 million motor vehicles have been recalled because of possible air defects. There also have been numerous air bag-related complaints that did not necessarily warrant a recall but still may have caused injuries.

It can be frustrating to know that your loved one’s life might have been saved if only a particular airbag deployed correctly or did not pose another type of safety hazard that caused serious injury. Injuries caused by any vehicle defect can be grounds for an auto products liability lawsuit.

When an auto manufacturer makes a mistake by designing a defective airbag system and someone dies or gets hurt, it is time to see if the car maker can be held liable for products liability.

Honda adds 440,000 cars to recall over airbags, CNN.com, July 31, 2009

American Honda Expands Airbag Safety Recall, WSJ, July 31, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Honda

Defects and Recalls, Safercars.gov

Continue reading "Serious Airbag Defect Leads Honda to Recall 440,000 More Civics, Accords, and Acura TL’s" »

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Posted In: Air Bags , Auto Recalls , Automotive Product Liability

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As if the publicity couldn’t get worse for financially beleaguered auto making giant General Motors, the company announced two separate auto recalls last week. GM is recalling about 1,738 2009 Hummer H3T’s because of a problem with the front support strap of the vehicle’s fuel tank. In the event that the strap becomes fractured, the 27-gallon tank could separate from the vehicle and potentially cause a motor vehicle accident.

In a much larger recall, GM announced that it is calling back approximately 277,000 passenger vehicles and light trucks because of a problem with the gear that could cause some of the cars to begin rolling away after they are parked. The car manufacturer and the NHTSA say a flaw in the transmission cable system could prevent the gears from fully engaging and make a car appear to be in park mode when in fact, it is not. Investigators say this defect could also explain the warranty complaints that have been filed regarding certain GM motor vehicles that wouldn’t start up again once the vehicle gear had been placed in park.

GM vehicles affected by the recall are all 2009 models and include the Buick Enclave, the Chevrolet HHR, Cobalt, Traverse, and Malibu, the GMC Acadia, the Pontiac G5 and G6, and the Saturn Outlook and Aura. To date, there are no reports of injuries or deaths related to this recall. Fortunately, most of these recalled vehicles are still at dealerships and only about 75,000 others were purchased.

Even with the problems thrust upon them by the financial crisis and their need to cut jobs and obtain loans from the government to stay in business, auto manufacturers must make sure that their vehicles are safe for consumers. In January, Toyota Motor Corp. announced the recall of 1.3 million motor vehicles internationally because of a defect that could cause the foam pad located near the seat belt to catch on fire during motor vehicle crashes because the mechanism that is supposed to tighten the seat belt emits a certain gas. 134,900 Yaris subcompacts (2006 and 2007) models sold in the US were part of the recall.

A vehicle with an auto defect can result in serious injuries for vehicle occupants and other motorists and pedestrians. Unfortunately, many recalls don't happen until after a consumer has reported a problem, which means a motor vehicle crash may have already happened before the defect could be remedied.

Global Recall by Toyota; Affects 1.35 Million Cars, Huliq News, January 2009

GM Recalls Hummer H3T Because Gas Tank Could Fall Off, Gas2.org, March 15, 2009

GM recalls more than 276,000 vehicles for gear fix, Reuters, February 13, 2009

Related Web Resources:
General Motors

Toyota

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "General Motors Recalls 1,738 Hummers and 277,000 Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Saturn Motor Vehicles" »

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General Motors has announced that it is recalling 79 of its 2009 Chevrolet Impalas because of an air bag issue. The auto manufacturer says that part of the front passenger-side air bag could break during deployment, potentially striking and injuring the passenger. This breakage could also prevent the air bag from fully inflating, thereby only partially protecting the passenger during a motor vehicle crash.

Side-Impact Air Bags (SABs)
Side-impact air bags are designed to protect an auto occupant’s chest and/or head during a motor vehicle collision.

Three Kinds of SABs:

Chest SABs: Located in the door or in the side of the car seat.
Head SABs: Located in the roof rail on top of the side windows.
Head/Chest SABs: Usually found in the side of the seat.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 60% of people who were killed in traffic collisions involving side-impact crashes sustained serious brain injuries. The NHTSA says that an additional 700 to 1,000 people would survive motor vehicle crashes each year if all autos in the US were made with head protection SABs.

It is important that all air bags in a vehicle are properly designed and installed, and that they work correctly. While air bags are designed to protect passengers from serious injuries or deaths, air bag defects and malfunctions have been known to lead to spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, chest injuries, head injuries, neck injuries, vision problems, hearing loss, internal injuries, amputated fingers, concussions, cuts and abrasions, burn injuries, and/or death.

Examples of air bag defects and malfunctions include sensor failure, improper tethering, improper inflation (in terms of speed deployment, the angle of deployment, and when deployment occurs), and failure to deploy.

GM Recalls 2009 Chevrolet Impala, Office of Defects Investigation

GM Recalls 2009 Chevrolet Impala for Airbag Problem, Edmunds.com, October 9, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Side-Impact Air Bags, SaferCars.gov

Air Bags, NHTSA

Continue reading "GM Recalls 79 Chevrolet Impalas Because of Potential Air Bag Malfunction" »

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Auto manufacturer BMW AG is recalling 200,000 SUVs and cars over concerns that the front passenger air bag may not deploy during a collision. BMW models affected by the recall include the:

• 2004-2006 5 Series
• 2006 3 Series
• 2004-2006 X3 SUV’s

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that small cracks could affect the seat detection mat and deactivate the air bags. This could also deactivate the air bag “on-off” light. An air-bag “on-off” switch lets the motorist deactivate the air bag feature when necessary.

Depending on the make and model of the vehicle and the year it was manufactured, air bags may be located in two areas of a vehicle:

Frontal Air Bags: Frontal air bags are designed to prevent vehicle occupants from hitting the steering wheel, the instrument panel, or the windshield so that they don't sustain even more serious injuries during a motor vehicle crash. These air bags usually cannot provide protection during side-impact crashes, rear-end collisions, and rollover accidents.

Side-Impact Air Bags: They are designed to protect your chest and head during an accident in which the side of the motor vehicle is impacted.

Types of Frontal Air Bags:

Depowered Air Bags: Air bags with a reduced inflation power to decrease the chances of an air bag-related injury.

Advanced Frontal Air Bags: are considered more effective than the previous generations of air bags when it comes to saving lives and reducing the chances of air bag related-injuries.

Air bags are an added and necessary protection to the safety belt. If you were injured in an auto crash because your air bag failed to deploy or malfunctioned in another way, our auto products liability law firm has the experience and knowledge to determine whether you have grounds to file a defective products case against the manufacturer.

German automaker BMW recalling 200,000 vehicles, AP, August 13, 2008

UPDATE: BMW Recalls 200K Vehicles In US Due To Airbag Issue, CNNMoney.com, August 13, 2008

Air Bag Safety, Safecar.gov

Related Web Resources:

Air Bags, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

What You Need to Know About Air Bags, NHTSA.gov

Continue reading "BMW AG Recalls 200,000 Cars and Sport Utility Vehicles Because Front Passenger Air Bags May Not Deploy " »

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Hyundai Motor Co. has announced the recall of 393,714 Sonata passenger cars so that it can fix the air bag system located in the front passenger seat. The recall affects 2006, 2007, and 2008 Sonatas.

Hyundai says it has received several reports that the passenger air bag system had shut off when there was a small adult in the seat because the system had misclassified the passenger as a child.

The air bag system is supposed to disable itself whenever it senses a child restraint system or a small child riding in the front passenger seat, but it is not supposed to shut down when there is an adult riding there.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that this incorrect classification could cause the right front air bag to fail to inflate during a serious accident, which could cause the adult passenger to sustain serious injuries or die.

Air Bags and Auto Accidents
During a car accident, it is important that an air bag inflate at the right time, in the proper way, and at the right speed to avoid serious injuries. An airbag that fails to deploy or deploys incorrectly during a serious auto crash can cause catastrophic injuries. A person that is not properly restrained may even die after being struck by an inflating air bag.

Air Bag Malfunctions Include:

• Failure to deploy
• Deploying at the wrong time
• Chemical burns from gas escaping the air bag
• Failure to replace a deployed air bag

Injuries that have been caused by air bags include:

• Neck injuries
• Head injuries, including decapitation
• Facial injuries
• Broken bones
• Eye injuries, including blindness
• Death

If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries or died because an air bag failed to deploy or deployed incorrectly, the victim or his or her family may be entitled to recover damages from the auto manufacturer or another liable party. One of our air bag injury lawyers can explore your legal options during your free consultation.

Hyundai Sonatas Recalled for Air Bag Failure, Consumer Affairs, April 16, 2008

What You Need to Know About Air Bags, NHTSA

Related Web Resources:

Airbag Safety

Air Bag Safety, Insurance Information Institute

Continue reading "Hyundai Motors Recalls 393,714 Sonata Cars Over Air Bag Failure" »

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More than 14.2 million motor vehicles were recalled in 2007. This figure is 25% higher than the 11.2 million vehicles that were called back in 2006. However, this latest figure is still significantly lower than the 30.8 million motor vehicles that were recalled in 2004. Final numbers for this year will be released later this month.

Major auto recalls last year included 2007 models, as well as models from previous years—although the majority of cars recalled were older models. One reason for this is that it can take awhile to discover that there are problems with a motor vehicle or automobile part.

Among the Biggest Recalls:

Ford Motor Co. recalled more than four million motor vehicles this year: Recalls included 3.6 million motor vehicles manufactured in the 90’s because of a speed control deactivation switch problem. The automobile maker also recalled 1,094,664 Crown Victoria Police Interceptors from its 2005, 2004, and 2003 lines because of possible cracks in the tires’ welds.

Volkswagen’s 2001-2007 New Beetles: More than one million Beatles were recalled because of a brake light switch that could potentially malfunction.

Toyota’s Sequoia (2004-2007 models) and Tundra (2004-2007 models): The recall was issued to determine whether the front suspension lower ball joints needed to be replaced on 533,124 Toyota trucks.

Dodge Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro, 2006 and 2007 models: 297,000 electronic brake control modules needed to be replaced so a delay didn’t occur when a driver stepped on the brake while driving up an incline.

Honda’s 2006 and 2007 Civics: 180,000 compact cars were recalled for inspection to make sure that the wheel sensors were properly installed so that the tires would not fall off the vehicles.

Jeep Liberty (2007 and 2006) : The heating and air conditioning blowers on 149,605 of these SUV’s had to be replaced to prevent overheating.

One reason for the problems and defects is that auto manufacturers are using the same parts and platforms for their vehicles. This means that the same problems tend to occur across the different makes and models. However, what can seem like a simple brake or tire problem can lead to serious injuries and deaths when the inability to brake properly leads to a deadly multi-car accident at an intersection or a pedestrian getting killed.

If you or anyone you love was injured in an auto accident because of a defective tire, faulty breaks, a seatbelt that malfunctioned, a problem with the wiring of the car's engine, or any other motor vehicle-related malfunction, you should speak with an attorney at our auto accident law firm. Our motor vehicle crash lawyers are also experienced in cases involving products liability and product safety.

Auto recalls up more than 25%, Detnews.com, December 27, 2007

Most Recalled Cars of 2007, CNN, December 14, 2007

Related Web Resources:

AutoRecalls, Justia

Defects and Recalls, NHTSA

Continue reading "Auto Recall Numbers Rose in 2007" »

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