It can take years for auto manufacturers or parts makers to discover accident-causing safety issues. Drivers who ignore recall issues put the public safety at risk, and may transfer liability for a product defect from the manufacturer to themselves.
SaferCar.gov recently update its list of automobile recalls for 2016, alerting drivers to serious dangers.
2011 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai announced a recall of the 2011 Sonata over concerns about the Electronic Power Steering controls. The controls are supposed to assist drivers making tight turns, especially at slow speeds. The failed controls occur suddenly, and drivers who are unaware of the extra force needed to steer their vehicle after a control failure are at increased risk of a collision.
Bosch Brakes
A production run of Bosch brakes from October 2014-October 2015 is a source of safety issues for Bosch Brake Components. The brakes were replacement parts for a number of older model Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. The concern is that brake pads are shifting, which allows the brake shim to come into contact with the brake itself. As the shim rubs against the brake, the brakes wear out ahead of schedule, and may cause a sudden, catastrophic, brake loss.
2015-2016 F-650 and F-750 Trucks
Ford Motor Company’s heavy duty trucks are showing signs of brake trouble. When drivers engage the emergency brake, a small clip that holds the brake cable in place can snap, loosening the tension on the cable. An Illinois auto accident lawyer can prove that failed brake clips on these large, heavy vehicles create a rolling risk after parking the trucks. The recall will replace brake clips and inspect the safety of the emergency brake system overall.
2015-2016 Subaru WRX and 2016 Forester 2.0 XT
Subaru’s introduced new turbochargers to their sporty coupes in 2015 and 2016, and a year later, there are clear problems with the system. The turbochargers may crack at highway speeds, which causes the engine to overheat almost instantaneously. As precautionary measure, the engine will stall, even in the middle of the road. An Illinois auto accident lawyer may use the stall as the basis for a personal injury complaint.
Automobile recalls are an automaker’s attempt to make right design and production problems Companies that follow established recall procedures, create a partial liability shield; however, an Illinois auto accident lawyer can penetrate the shield and hold the auto maker liable when gross negligence is a factor.
