Recent Significant Automobile Recalls
Brian O Sutter
Recalls
There have been a recent spate of high-profile automobile recalls affecting tens of millions of vehicles, including the Takata airbag recall and the General Motors ignition switch scandal, but the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) is constantly issuing smaller recalls with potentially fatal consequences. The NHTSA issues recall notifications on an almost daily basis. Often times, the recalls affect no more than a few hundred cars, but larger recalls are issued with alarming regularity. Here are a few recent recalls that could affect you.
Nissan Recalls Nearly 47,000 Nissan Rogues
Nissan recently expanded its recall of Nissan Rogue vehicles made in the 2014 model year. The recall originally covered vehicles manufactured between January 2, 2014 and June 7, 2014, but now also covers vehicles manufactured between July 25, 2013, and December 21, 2013.
According to the NHTSA, the nickel plating material from the fuel pump’s inner or outer casing may detach or flake due to fuel flow, vibration, or pressure. The detached plating material can migrate throughout the fuel pump, and cause the fuel pump’s impeller to stop function.
If the particles interfere with the impeller while the car is running, the engine can suddenly stop working, increasing the risks of a crash.
Honda Recalls 42,000 New Honda Civics
The Honda Civic is one of the best selling cars in America. 42,000 of the brand new 2016 Honda Civics have already been recalled due to faulty engine assemblies.
Some of the new Civics with 2.0L engines did not include a piston wrist pin clip, or had one that was not properly installed. A missing or improperly installed clip can cause the engine to seize, increasing the risk of a crash or an engine fire.
Toyota Recalls 1.12 Million Toyota RAV4s
Toyota recently recalled 1.12 million Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 EV vehicles made in the 2006 to 2012 model years.
A defect in the design may cause the rear seat cushion frames to cut the rear seat belts in a frontal collision. The cut seat belts would not properly restrain rear passengers and increase their risk of injury in a crash.
The defect has already claimed one fatality in Canada and injured another passenger in the U.S. This comes on the heels of the Takata airbag recall, which affected 24 million Toyota vehicles.
Contact An Attorney If You Suspect You’ve Been Injured Due To A Faulty Motor Vehicle
Many automakers voluntarily issue recalls when they find defects, but sometimes, they may not know there is a defect until an accident has already occurred. In still other cases, such as the GM ignitions switch scandal, automakers may know about a defect, and still not initiate a recall.
If you were or someone you know was injured in an accident due to a malfunctioning motor vehicle, the automaker may be at fault, and you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney.