Everyone knows the feeling you get when you receive an unexpected piece of mail from your vehicle manufacturer. The chances are good that your vehicle has a recalled component.
If you’re lucky, nothing has gone wrong in your vehicle yet, and you’ll just have to spend a few hours at the dealership. However, some people aren’t so lucky. Their crashes and injuries are part of what brings defective car components to light and start the recall process.
Ram Airbag Recall
Due to airbag complications, the Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks were recalled in 2021. Dodge had a massive problem, as over 200,000 trucks were affected. Contaminated airbags were prone to exploding or malfunctioning in a crash.
This type of fault could cause serious injuries or fatalities in a crash. The issue was discovered in model years 2015 to 2020, forcing many customers to seek out repairs.
Ford Explorer Cross-Axis Ball Joint Malfunctions
Ford vehicles had a rough year, facing a wide range of recalls. The Ford Explorer may have had one of the most dangerous defects. The vehicle’s cross-axis ball joint seizes unexpectedly. This fractures the rear suspension’s toe links and impacts the driver’s steering control.
Drivers may lose control of their steering wheel, an issue that can cause fatal crashes. There have already been multiple injury reports tied to this component, and more are expected since the recall affected vehicles as far back as the 2013 model year. This recall impacted almost 700,000 cars in North America.
Battery Fires
Malfunctioning batteries are a common occurrence when you look at auto part recalls. The Hyundai Kona was hit hard in 2021, with consumers reporting that their batteries spontaneously combusted. This is especially dangerous for drivers on the highway who are unable to stop.
Overall, this recall will cost the company nearly $1 billion. A similar problem plagued the Chevy Bolt EV. The company notified consumers that specific models could catch fire because of faulty battery modules. This led to the recall of every single Chevy Bolt EV. All in all, the company is expected to spend nearly $2 billion on the recall.
Defective Seatbelts on the Ford F-150
The frightening part of a defective seatbelt is that you don’t realize it’s defective until you need it. This is the case with the Ford F-150, which recalled faulty seat belts in 2021.
The issue only affects vehicles built within a five-month window, so relatively few cars are affected. However, the problem is so severe that trucks should not be driven until the issue is resolved.
Fuel Pump Failure in Subaru Vehicles
This recall spans almost all of Subaru’s vehicles, including the Outback, Impreza, Forester, and Ascent. Model years 2018 to 2020 are affected. The fuel pump in certain cars is faulty and prone to cracking, causing the entire component to stop working.
In extreme cases, the engine may stall. A similar issue impacting the fuel pump fuse also led to the recall of certain Volvo vehicles in 2021.
Choose Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. for Your Defective Product Claim
If you’ve been involved in a car accident because of a faulty vehicle component, you shouldn’t have to cover your financial burdens on your own. It’s essential to hold the vehicle manufacturer accountable for their use of faulty or incorrect parts.
Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. helps you start your defective product claim and pushes for a fair settlement that covers medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Schedule your consultation now by calling us at 205-933-1500 or filling out our simple contact form.
