Quality control is a critical part of motor vehicle construction. Using crash test dummies allows car and truck manufacturers to see where safety mechanisms have failed and where they hold up under the most severe conditions. But it’s not just speed and simulated car crashes that need to be tested. Faulty car parts have been responsible for far too many accidents and injuries, and when a tragedy occurs because of vehicle failure, car manufacturers can be sued for negligence.
Biggest and Most Dangerous Car Recalls
Recalls are issued by the federal government or car manufacturers when they become aware that a component on a make of car is not operating properly. Typically, these recalls come with the recommendation for motorists to take their vehicle to the nearest dealership ASAP for a no-charge repair.
Some of the largest, most recent car recalls have included the following:
- Almost 2 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks were recalled in 2018 because of a defective seat belt mechanism that causes insulation and carpets inside the truck to catch fire.
- Starting in 2013, over two dozen automakers were forced to recall nearly 70 million vehicles because of defective airbags, all supplied by the Japanese company Takata. The faulty airbag inflators could release metal fragments when ruptured.
- In 2005, Ford recalled 4.5 million SUVs and pickup trucks for a defective cruise control deactivation switch which could overheat or burn and cause a fire.
- The defective ignition switches in General Motors vehicles could abruptly shut down a car’s engine and completely cut its power. This problem, revealed in 2014, led to the recall of almost 6 million cars and, horrifically, led to hundreds of roadway deaths and injuries. This recall was especially damning to the company because it was revealed that the auto manufacturer had hid reports of this flaw for over a dozen years.
- The Toyota recall that began in 2009 affected 9 million of its vehicles when it was discovered that trapped accelerator pedals led to unintended sudden acceleration. Defective floor mats were to blame first, then Toyota replaced the pedals, and eventually installed brake override software in some models.
Preventing Highway Accidents, Injuries, and Deaths
Some auto manufacturers have been fined heavily by the U.S. government for faulty manufacturing and ineffective quality control. It is the responsibility of car manufacturers to ensure that their drivers are safe inside their vehicles and on the road.
Car accidents are common enough because of distracted driving, poor driving, drunk driving, and more. Vehicle problems should not be a cause of car accidents or contribute to injuries and fatalities on Michigan highways and across the nation.
If you have been injured in a car accident, caused a car accident because of a faulty car, have been hurt by a defective vehicle, or have had your vehicle destroyed because of a defective part, you may have a case against an auto manufacturer.
Contact Thurswell Law for a free consultation. Our car accident attorneys have the experience to get you the compensation you deserve. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today to schedule your consultation.
