Kansas City, Missouri, victims of defective products should be aware of the rights and legal protections that exist for consumers. Regulators in the U.S. recently reported that another 30,687 airbag inflators were made with an incorrect part that causes the possibility of similar ruptures as the airbags that have already been recalled. One auto maker has added to its previous recall of SUVs because the vehicle model recalled may “[p]ropel metal fragments out of its air bags toward occupants.” The latest announcement applies to newer vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that airbags from June 2008 to June 2014 will be the subject of this latest recall. According to the information, “an incorrect outer baffle could cause the unit to rupture.” The most recent recall appears to apply to two car makers.
The broader recall applies to vehicles manufactured from 2000 to 2008 which have already been linked to four deaths. The defect the subject of the most recent recall of 30,687 airbags differs from the one that previously caused 7.8 million vehicles in the U.S. to be recalled. The previous recall includes 10 auto makers and the auto part defect has received the attention of regulators because of its severity. Efforts to repair the defective airbags, produce enough repair parts and understand the full scope of the defect are underway. The company that made the airbags may face significant fines.
In general, auto product liability laws, auto product recalls and car recalls are designed to keep the public safe from defective products. Consumers may assume that the products they use every day are safe but this may not always be the case. As a result, consumers can unexpectedly suffer injuries, death or other damages related to defective products such as defective airbags. Because of the potential severity of the harm victims may suffer, legal options including personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits may be available to help victims recover compensation for damages.
It is important to keep in mind that auto product liability can extend from negligent manufacturers to wholesalers, distributors and retailers of defective products who may all be held accountable for harm victims suffer. Because of this, it is important victims of defective products are familiar with the legal options available to protect them.
Source: Bloomberg, “Air-Bag Recall Expands Again as Maker Finds Part Defect,” Jeff Plungis, Nov. 1, 2014