Mazda, General Motors, and Honda Recall Vehicles Over Power Steering, Seat Belt, and Ignition Issues
More auto safety issues have prompted the recall of more vehicles by some of the largest manufacturers. Our auto products liability law firm wants to remind you that auto defects that cause serious injuries or wrongful death maybe grounds for a personal injury case or a wrongful death complaint against a negligent automaker.
General Motors is recalling 243,000 crossover vehicles because of a possible rear seat belt defect that can occur if the belt becomes damaged when a seat that has been folded flat is restored to an upright position. This can allow a seat belt occupant to mistakenly think that the belt is properly latched. The GM recall involves the 2009 and 2010 models of the Buick Enclave, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Saturn Outlook, and the GMC Acadia.
Also this week, Mazda Motor Corp. announced that it is recalling 215,000 Mazda 5 and Mazda 3 vehicles (2007 – 2009 models) in the US because they might suddenly lose their power steering without warning, increasing the risk of a car crash. The auto defect can happen if rust comes off a high pressure pipe and places strain on the power steering pump, resulting in a system shutdown.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has received at least 33 complaints regarding this safety issue. Three of the complaints contend that loss of steering control caused their respective car accidents. While the vehicles use an electric boost to the hydraulic power steering system that is supposed to make turning the car easier, some drivers do not have the extra strength required to maintain control of the auto should the electric boost fail.
Last week, Honda Motor Corp. recalled 428,000 autos in the US and Canada because of an auto defect that can cause a car to roll away if it is not parked properly. This may happen if the ignition interlock lever fails. The lever is supposed to keep they key in the ignition if the vehicle has not been placed in park. Honda vehicles in the US affected by the recall are the Civic, Accord, and Element (2003 and 2004 models).
NHTSA upgraded its investigation into the possible vehicle defect after Honda received reports of 10-related car accidents. NHTSA says it had received 11 car crash reports over the same issue.
G.M. Recall for Seat Belts Affects 243,000 Crossovers, NY Times, August 17, 2010
Steering issues spur Mazda recall; GM recall targets seatbelts, Los Angeles Times, August 18, 2010
Honda to Recall 428,000 Vehicles in N. America, ABC News, August 9, 2010
Related Web Resources:
NHTSA
Auto Recalls, Justia
Until relatively recently, many vehicles used seat belt buckles with buttons on their sides, rather than their ends. These were exposed to unintended release in accidents, including side impacts where the buckles would strike a center console or the occupant’s hip, inertially releasing the buckle (where inertia effectively “pushes” the button, undoing the seat belt). Most vehicles have now moved to end release designs. This is good, but not enough. End release buckles can also be released inertially unless they use a very inexpensive small part – which costs just pennies – that prevents such release. Fortunately, these release-resistant buckles are found in many vehicles – the rest need to follow suit. Most car makers also require that the buckle release button be recessed and small enough that it isn’t exposed to accidental release from an elbow or hand flailing in an accident. They use a very low-tech test for this: It should be impossible to push the button with a steel ball 30 mm or larger. Unfortunately, a few seatbelt systems fail to meet this simple, common sense test. 
