Approximately 25% of consumers do not repair vehicles that are recalled, according to Market Watch. This means that approximately 7.5 million of the nearly 30 million cars recalled in the United States in 2018 and more than 15 million vehicles of the more than 50 million recalls issued in 2014 have not received repairs that are recommended by manufacturers. While some of the suggested recalls are relatively minor in nature, others may involve serious defects that can result in the death or injury of motorists.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident that may have been caused by a defective vehicle, the Dallas accident caused by deadly defective vehicles lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins is here to help. We can investigate your claim and help establish a defective vehicle was the primary or contributing factor. Call us today at 877-239-4878 to speak to a member of our team.
When a Recall is Necessary for a Vehicle’s Defects
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the federal agency in charge of vehicle recalls. It reports that a recall is necessary when:
- A motor vehicle or its components does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
- There is a safety-related defect in the vehicle or its equipment.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are minimum requirements for the performance of vehicles and their parts to ensure safe operation and protect vehicle occupants from death or serious injury in the event a collision occurs, such as steering systems or helmets. They involve standards for various components of a vehicle, including brakes and tires.
These standards apply to all vehicles and components manufactured or imported for sale in the United States that will be used on public roads and highways in our country.
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Safety-Related Recalls for a Defective Vehicle
Safety-related recalls are issued when there is a defect in the design, construction or performance of a vehicle that threatens public safety and subjects the public to an unreasonable risk of accidents.
The NHTSA gives the following examples of safety-related defects that warrant a recall:
- Fuel leakage problems caused by fuel system components that can cause fires.
- Wiring system issues that can cause fires or cause the vehicle’s lights to turn off.
- Vehicle components, including steering components and tires, that suddenly break, crack, separate, or deteriorate during use, which may cause the loss of vehicle control or cause injury to vehicle occupants or others.
- Seats or backs of seats that fail during normal use.
- Accelerator controls that break or stick.
- Windshield wiper assemblies that do not operate properly, which may result in a lack of driver visibility.
- Airbags that deploy when they are not supposed to.
- Engine cooling fan blades, jacks, or other components that break while they are being repaired.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident that may have been caused by a defective vehicle, the Dallas accident caused by deadly defective vehicles lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help. Contact us today at 877-239-4878.
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Recall Process
Most vehicle recalls are issued voluntarily by manufacturers. They may receive reports from customers about a problem and may publicly issue a recall. They may also conduct internal investigations, gather information, and implement inspection procedures to identify and correct problems.
When the NHTSA is involved, the following four-part process is implemented:
Screening
After the NHTSA has received consumer complaints, it reviews them, and other information related to the reported defect. While there is no set number of complaints that is required for the NHTSA to act, the more serious the potential harm, the more likely that it will act.
During this stage, the NHTSA reviews information from various sources, including:
- Consumer complaints
- Data from vehicle and equipment manufacturers
- Anonymous tips
- Congressional comments and letters
- Social media content
Petition Analysis
At this stage in the process, the NHTSA analyzes petitions requesting an investigation into the review of safety-related defects. Anyone can petition the organization to investigate an alleged safety defect. The agency will notify the petitioner if the petition has been granted or denied.
Investigation
If the NHTSA believes that an investigation is warranted, it will launch one. It will request information from the manufacturer, including its own records regarding crashes, fatalities, injuries, and warranty claims. Based on this information, it determines if further analysis is needed. The manufacturer can object to further analysis. Most investigations are resolved within one year from the date they are initiated. Most of them are closed because the agency determines further investigation is not warranted or because the manufacturer has already issued a recall.
Recall Management
Lastly, the agency maintains records for all safety recalls and oversees the recall process to ensure that they are being properly completed. If this process is not completed correctly, a recall investigation may be initiated.
If the agency determines during this four-step process that a defect exists, it may require the manufacturer to issue a recall and notify owners of the defect, but the manufacturer can challenge this finding in court.
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How to Check on Recalls
You can search if your vehicle has been recalled by using the NHTSA’s search tool. You type in your VIN, which shows:
- Any recalls issued on the vehicle for the last 15 years.
- Any safety recalls that are incomplete on the vehicle.
The NHTSA also features a Recall Spotlight that highlights information about the most recent recalls in the news.
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Get Help Today If You Were Injured in an Accident with a Defective Vehicle
If you or a loved one was injured because of a defective vehicle or vehicle part, you may need assistance from a Dallas accident caused by deadly defective vehicles lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins. These claims are difficult to prove and often involve complex information from scientists and expert witnesses, so having a lawyer who is familiar with these aspects of the case can be very helpful.
You can learn more about your potential claim by calling us at 877-239-4878. We do not charge for your initial consultation and we work on a contingency basis, so you only pay for our services if we recover compensation for your claim.
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