All defective products can be dangerous, but things get serious when it’s a car. Unfortunately, manufacturer defects are typical in motor vehicles and cause critical accidents. Below, we explore common problems and how to get help holding negligent manufacturers accountable after a collision.
7 Car Defects That Can Cause a Collision
1. Airbags That Deploy Incorrectly
Many vehicles of all makes and models have been recalled due to improperly deploying airbags. This is often because multiple car manufacturers purchase airbags from the same source.
Such is the case with Takata, which currently has tens of millions of vehicles under recall due to the risk of air bag explosion during deployment after long-term exposure to high temperatures and humidity levels.
2. Seat Belts That Unbuckle On Their Own
In 2018, Volkswagen issued a warning to Atlas model owners that their vehicles may have faulty seat belt buckles in the rear middle seats. Over 54,500 cars were recalled due to the risk of seat belts releasing unexpectedly.
3. Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA)
Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) occurs when a vehicle accelerates without driver input. This problem garnered a lot of attention in the 1980s, when Audi was heavily criticized after 175 people were injured and 4 died in collisions caused by SUA in their vehicles.
At the time, the manufacturer denied their cars were defective, suggesting instead that the issue was caused by inexperienced drivers being too short to reach the pedals. After plummeting sales, the company launched multiple recalls in an attempt to resolve the problem.
4. Tire Defects
Your car’s tires are an integral part of your safety on the road, but these too can be defective and put you at risk of an accident. Common tire defects include:
- Blowouts
- Tread separation
- Retread failure
- Bead wire failure
- Sidewall failure
- Loss of tire pressure
- Components missing from the tire
- Foreign objects in the tire
5. Brake Failure
Brake defects are often critical, resulting in catastrophic or even fatal accidents when a vehicle’s brakes fail. For example, Mitsubishi was forced to recall more than 170,000 cars in 2018 after it was discovered that the brake system allowed water to infiltrate. This caused corrosion damage over time, which eventually resulted in braking failure.
Depending on the defect and when it occurs, the responsible party could be the vehicle’s manufacturer or a mechanic if you or the driver who hit you recently had your brakes serviced. In some cases, the other driver may also be liable and your attorney can pursue damages from all three parties.
6. Electrical System Defects
Electrical components are necessary for all modern cars to run. That said, these components can also cause problems with your vehicle if they malfunction. Even brand new cars can have faulty wiring, software bugs, and other electrical issues that are more than just a nuisance.
For example, Subaru has issued a recall for their Outback vehicles due to inaccurate fuel level displays. These faulty sensors failed to notify drivers when their vehicles ran out of fuel, potentially causing the car to stall in the middle of the road and increasing the risk of an accident.
7. Ignition Failure
In 2020, General Motors reached a $120 million settlement in a class action lawsuit with drivers who say their cars had lost value due to faulty ignition switches.
These switches can potentially cause engines to stall and cut power to the airbags, resulting in over 2.6 million vehicles being recalled. This has proven fatal for 124 people who sadly lost their lives in accidents directly caused by or related to GM’s malfunctioning ignition switches.
How Mazow | McCullough Can Help You Get Justice from Negligent Car Manufacturers
If you or someone you know were hurt in an auto accident that may have been caused by a manufacturer defect, you need a skilled attorney on your side. You can expect big brands like GM and Mitsubishi to have aggressive legal teams who rely on intimidation to get small plaintiffs to settle out. Having a lawyer who can go toe-to-toe with manufacturers substantially increases your chances of a successful outcome.
At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we know what it takes to fight for the compensation you deserve. We will advocate tirelessly for your rights and work to negotiate the best possible resolution for you and your family. Contact us today to learn more about defective vehicle lawsuits or to schedule your free initial consultation by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
