Auto Product Liability

In March 2013, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall for about 230,000 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans.  The purpose of the recall was to fix rust problems in the vehicles that could cause the third row of seats to come loose, increasing the risk of serious injuries in some types of vehicle crashes. The recall affected vehicles manufactured in model years 2004 through 2007, and it focused on vehicles sold in cold-weather areas, which were more likely to suffer rust problems due to regular contact with rock salt used to melt snow and ice on roads.

Now, although no recall has been issued, the NHTSA is urging owners of Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans who live in warmer areas like San Diego to keep an eye on their own vehicles, as rust could also cause problems in these minivans even without regular contact with road salt and other chemicals.  So far, the agency has received only a single complaint about rust problems in a minivan used in warm-weather areas.

Owners of 2004-2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans are encouraged to examine the rear wheel wells of the vehicle, since rust that begins in these areas can lead to problems with third-seat safety or stability. Owners can also contact Ford or take their vehicles to a dealership for examination and repairs if needed.

When a vehicle defect causes an accident or other injury, serious harm can result. If you’ve been injured by a hidden defect in a vehicle, contact the dedicated San Diego car accident attorneys at Jurewitz Law Group. Our number is (888) 233-5020, and your initial consultation is free and confidential.

California car defect attorneys are paying close attention to a recently-issued recall by automakers Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. The recalls cover a total of 3.4 million vehicles, according to a report by NBC News.  The recall is based on a defect in the vehicles’ airbag systems that may cause the vehicle to catch fire or may cause the airbags to inadvertently inflate, injuring those inside the vehicle.

The recalled vehicles were manufactured between 2000 and 2004 in most cases, according to the automakers.  They include Toyota’s popular Camry Corolla, Tundra, and Yaris models, the Honda Civic, CR-V crossover, and Odyssey, the Nissan Maxima and Cube, and several Mazda models.  The recalls are expected to affect up to half a million vehicles made by each automaker in the U.S. alone.

The four automakers all used airbag components manufactured by Takata Corp., the second-largest supplier of airbags and seat belts in the world.  The components used, however, contain a manufacturing defect in the propellant used to inflate the airbags quickly in case of an accident. The defect can cause a fire to start in the front passenger side of the vehicle or cause the airbag to inflate improperly, posing a risk to the person in the front passenger seat.

According to the airbag manufacturer, some of the defective airbag parts were also shipped to non-Japanese vehicle manufacturers, including possible shipments to Daimler AG and to Ford Motor Company.  However, no recalls for these vehicles have yet been issued, and more details on which companies received which airbag components have not yet been released.

Owners of the affected vehicles may take them to a dealership for a free repair.  Automakers have more recall information at their websites, as well.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into the Hyundai Sonata after receiving a number of complaints about rust damage in the vehicles. In some cases, the rust has been linked to suspension system failures and electrical problems, according to an article in the Detroit News.  Both of the problems allegedly caused by the rust could result in a serious, injury-causing accident

When an experienced San Diego car accident attorney first encounters a client’s car accident case, he or she knows that looking into all possible causes of the accident, including vehicle defects, is an important part of determining what happened.  Information gathered from NHTSA investigations and recalls can help.

The NHTSA investigation covers 393,000 Hyundai Sonata vehicles in model years 2006 through 2008.  It is based on six complaints the agency has received about rust problems in the vehicles.  In the six complaints, the rear suspension arm failed due to severe rust, which appeared in the vehicle’s rear sub frames.  Three of the rear suspension arm failures occurred while the vehicle was traveling at high speed, and two of the reported suspension arm failures set off the vehicle’s electronic stability control system.

According to Hyundai, no defects have yet been uncovered, but the company notes that the investigation is still in its early stages. A Hyundai spokesperson said the company plans to cooperate with the NHTSA investigation, including issuing any recalls that may be necessary in order to fix problems with its vehicles.

After 1,500 complaints were sent to Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), three vehicle crashes, and one injury, the NHTSA will be investigating into Ford’s stalling and surging engines problems in about 725,000 cars and SUVs.

Ford’s partial engine problem is identified as the limp home mode, which is experienced when the vehicle suddenly drops 900 rpms down to 20 mph. A limp home mode should only occur when a serious engine issue is taking place and is designed to help drivers maneuver to a safe spot, without completely shutting off. This event can be extremely dangerous on highways.

Many Ford vehicles in question have also experienced power surges to prevent the limp home mode (car stalling) from occurring. During a power surge, the engine revolutions quickly intensify, but fall back down in a fluctuating pattern.

Please be aware that only year 2009 through 2011 models are under speculation for the following list of Ford cars and SUVs:

• Ford Escape
• Ford Fusion
• Mercury Mariner SUVs
• Mercury Milan Sedans

Currently, none of these cars have been recalled, but NHTSA’s investigation could potentially lead to a recall. Ford manufacturer has been fully cooperating with the investigation.

If you own one or more of these cars or know someone that does, please contact your nearest Ford dealer to get your vehicle inspected and please share this with your loved ones to do the same. Provide the vehicle identification number (VIN) to Ford for them to track if your vehicle was manufactured with the faulty part.

When purchasing a new or newer used car, you never expect for any major problems since typically newer cars have many safety advances and newer technology. Unfortunately, any vehicle can malfunction from a manufacturing defect, which can put your life and others at risk of injury and/or death.

If you or a loved one was a victim of an auto defect injury, contact San Diego’s most trusted auto defect attorney’s at the Jurewitz Law Group. Your case evaluation is free and there is absolutely NO fee unless you are rightfully compensated. Call (888) 233-5020.

Three people suffered serious injuries after their minivan crashed into a garage of a Rancho San Diego home at a residential care facility on May 27, 2012, around 11:35 a.m. in the 2500 block of Sawgrass Street, near the Cottonwood Country Club.

Firefighters worked to rescue the minivan’s three occupants who were trapped in the vehicle. After being freed, the man, woman, and child were taken to a local hospital to receive medical treatment for the injuries suffered. The three people inside the home were not hurt.

Witnesses say that the vehicle was out of control, travelling at a high rate of speed before, and had rear brakes that were on fire.

Due to the eyewitness details of this crash, officers believe that the crash may have been caused by a possible brake failure. They will need to confirm this with the driver and the engineers who will examine the vehicle to find out if it a car defect was the cause of the accident. If this is the case, the vehicle manufacturer or third party who installed the brakes may be liable for the victims’ injuries and damages to the garage.

In most cases, mechanical failures can be attributed to normal wear or a lack of proper vehicle maintenance. However, poor design or manufacturing defects are still to blame for several road fatalities and countless injuries every year.

If you or someone you love has been killed or injured in an accident that was caused by a malfunctioning vehicle, get the representation you need against large car companies. Contact an experienced San Diego County auto defect attorney at the Jurewitz Law Group to learn about your legal rights at 1(888) 233-5020.