Automotive Defects Blog Posts
Honda Airbag Recall
by on on 01/08/2012
Honda has expanded its previous airbag recall from 2008 for specific 2001 through 2003 Honda and Acura vehicles. The Honda airbag recall pertains to driver's airbag inflators originally installed in hundreds of thousands of vehicles sold throughout the United States.
Affected driver's airbag inflators may deploy with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to rupture. Honda has not been able to track down all of the defective parts, and therefore was forced to...
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Airbag Defect Injuries
by on on 02/01/2012
A new report by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reviewed automotive safety technologies and how quickly the advances make it into the majority of vehicles. Many vehicles on the road today are surprisingly not outfitted with the most current safety features such as airbags.
Automobile manufacturers began adding front air bags to vehicles in the 1980s, but the government didn’t require them until 1999. Based on HLDI predictions, not until 2016 will dual front airbags be found...
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Defective Tires Lead to Goodyear Tire Recall
by on on 02/28/2012
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has issued a substantial tire recall for 41,000 of its Wrangler Silent Armor tires. The recalled tires are light truck tires, and are being taken off the market because they can cause a partial tread separation, resulting in loss of control and possibly vehicle rollover. The affected tires are placed on a variety of vehicles, including construction vehicles, off-road vehicles, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, and family vehicles.
The...
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Airbag Failure Leads to Toyota Recall
by on on 03/14/2012
Toyota announced its recall of nearly 700,000 vehicles, including 495,000 Tacoma trucks made during the 2005 through 2009 model years that need to have their steering wheel spiral cable assemblies replaced.
The Toyota recall was announced after reports that friction may occur in some vehicles between the assembly's spiral cable and the retainer, and over time, cut the connection to the driver's airbag.
The airbag defect could cause the driver’s airbag to become deactivated and...
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Yokohama Tire Defect Recall
by on on 03/21/2012
Certain Yokohama replacement tires do not meet federal safety requirements. Therefore, sizes 205/50R16 A680 87V, manufactured between September 1, 2007 and November 28, 2009 and sizes P215/60R15 AVID H4S 93H, manufactured between December 2, 2007 and September 19, 2009, are being recalled.
The Yokohama tire recall comes after the discovery that the molded markings on one sidewall do not contain the complete Tire Identification Number (TIN) or partial (TIN) as required under...
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Dorel Juvenile Group Car Seat Recall
by on on 05/08/2012
Consumer Protection and Child Safety Alert
Experienced product liability and automotive defect attorneys warn that Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) is recalling car seats. Dorel Infant Child Restraint Models Onboard 35 (Product Number IC124FSM) and Comfy Carry (Product Number IC123FSM) produced from May 2011 through April 2012 were sold without the required car seat base. The child safety base contains the federally mandated latch attachment assembly. Without the latch assembly, the...
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Thousands of Possibly Defective Michelin Tires Recalled
by on on 05/11/2012
An increased risk of tire failure, possibly causing accidents, is behind a new recall announced by Michelin. The company last month announced a recall of more than 37,000 bus tires. According to the company, the recall is linked to a sidewall defect, that increases the risk that the tire will lose air rapidly, possibly causing an accident.
The tires included in the recall are the Michelin XZU2, XZU3, and XM505. These tires were manufactured between 2005 and 2011 at the...
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Feds Warn about ATV Accidents
by on on 07/13/2012
A recent spike in injuries and fatalities involving ATV accidents has worried Houston product liability attorneys, and has led federal agencies to once again reiterate their warnings about the use of all-terrain vehicles, especially by children. The warnings are necessary. There are approximately 11 million ATVs currently in use in the United States.
In 2010, according to some estimates there were at least 55 child-related fatalities involving ATV accidents. More than 28,000...
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The Dangers of Smart Keys and Keyless Ignition Systems
by on on 07/01/2012
Electronic keys and keyless entry devices are an automotive technological advance that many drivers of cars and trucks enjoy. The Smart Key system allows for keyless entry into vehicles and also remote engine start and stop. Unfortunately, as with some automotive technological advances, these new systems are introducing new hazards that can cause catastrophic personal injuries and death.
Recently, a Florida couple died as the result of carbon monoxide poisoning that emanated from...
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Feds Received Close to 30,000 Auto Defect Complaints in 2011
by on on 10/04/2012
Consumers filed close to 30,000 auto defect complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2011. Over the past five years, the agency has received more than 130,000 complaints of auto defects. These complaints, according to a new analysis, have ranged all the way from sudden and unintended acceleration to engine fires.
Some vehicles seem to have a much higher risk of being associated with auto defect complaints. For instance, according to an analysis of...
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Feds Warn of Injury Risks from Fake Airbags
by on on 11/08/2012
If you are a motorist whose car was involved recently in an accident, and underwent repairs at a repair shop, then it is possible that your car was outfitted with counterfeit airbags. At least one major federal agency is warning consumers that thousands of people may be driving vehicles outfitted with these counterfeit airbags that look very similar to the real thing.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that motorists who have been involved in auto accidents...
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Most Motorists Want in-Car Computer Safety Systems to Prevent Accidents
by on on 12/12/2012
Many Texas car accidents are caused by driver error. It helps, however, if you're driving a car that comes with a computer safety system that not only alerts you when you are in danger of being involved in an accident, but also takes action to prevent an accident. A new survey by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers finds that as many as 66% of all motorists want such computer safety systems in their cars.
Safety systems like lane departure warning systems, forward collision...
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General Motors Worldwide Recall Due to Rollaway Risk
by on on 01/12/2013
General Motors is recalling nearly 69,000 motor vehicles worldwide because they may unexpectedly roll away. The recall applies to full-size trucks and vans with a potential steering column defect.
According to the NHTSA Campaign Number 13V-001, the GM recall affects its pickup trucks, SUVs and vans, including certain 2013 models of:
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Avalanche
Chevrolet Express
GMC Sierra
GMC Savana
GMC Yukon
Cadillac...
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NHTSA Played Significant Role in Auto Recalls in 2012
by on on 01/27/2013
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration played a significant role in the number of auto recalls last year, influencing recalls of more than 9 million vehicles in 2012. Overall, the agency announced a total of more than 650 safety recalls that included more than 17.8 million vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acts as a regulatory body, and can influence recalls, but does not have the authority to order a recall. Typically, the agency analyses...
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Record Number of Airbag Defects, Recalls
by on on 03/11/2013
Airbags are extremely important safety features that are now standard in all automobiles. They're proven to have saved lives. Over the past few months, however, there have been a number of defective airbag recalls.
In fact, 2012 was a record year for airbag recalls. Last year, there were a total of 22 recalls involving airbags. This year alone, there have been 1.5 million vehicles recalled for various airbag problems. These vehicles were recalled by Honda and Toyota.
In...
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Questions Raised about Secretive NHTSA Auto Investigations
by on on 03/13/2013
The American public only learns about investigations that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducts into auto defects, when the agency announces these investigations, and subsequently, announces a recall. However, there are several cases in which the agency and automakers meet behind closed doors, and review complaints of defects about certain models. The public is never aware of these closed-door meetings, which are held under a veil of secrecy.
Unfortunately,...
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