Ford Safety Defect Recall Lawyers Keep Busy In 2014
As auto recalls reach epidemic proportions in 2014, experienced Ford safety defect recall lawyers at The Sanders Firm can ensure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled for injuries and financial losses related to vehicle defects.
Hidden costs like decreased resale value add to obvious expenses like maintenance costs and expenses to treat personal injuries caused by vehicle defects. An attorney experienced in this type of litigation will help you collect all the compensation you are entitled so a vehicle recall does not negatively impact your life and your financial health.
Current year sees record auto recalls
The current year has been a tough one for auto manufacturers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicle recalls in the U.S. have reached 37.5 million, which is higher than the previous record of 30.8 million in 2004. The auto manufacturer with the most recalls this year is General Motors (GM) with two-thirds of the more than 37 million. However, Japanese car manufacturers are gaining speed, as defective airbag inflators manufactured by Takata Corp. are creating serious problems for those companies as well.
Ford has already recalled more than 100,000 vehicles this year in six separate recall moves. The largest recall, affecting more than 92,000 vehicles, involved a portion of the axle and a possible defect in the parking brake. Owners of the vehicles affected will be notified by August 25, according to a report at Bloomberg. Notified customers qualify for free repairs on their vehicles.
Ford vehicles affected by the recall include some sedans, SUVs and other vehicles, including some models of the Ford Taurus, Flex, Escapes and Fiestas. The problems were discovered through warranty claims and internal testing by the company. As customer notifications are sent, other auto manufacturers are facing similar problems with their own models.
Faulty ignitions top the list
One of the biggest culprits in vehicle warranties this year has been a faulty ignition switch, which has been linked to the death of at least 13 drivers of GM vehicles. Adding to the controversy are the accusations that General Motors knew of the potential defect for more than a decade and failed to warn consumers of the problem or provide the appropriate repairs to their vehicles. The company is now facing congressional investigations and around $35 million in civil fines.
Previous years saw recalls of between $10-20 million vehicles, with only two years passing the 2014 total. Estimates put the total for 2014 recalls even higher, as manufacturers like Subaru and BMW announce recalls of a significant number of their vehicles. Subaru has recalled more than 660,000 vehicles due to faulty brake lines, according to CNN. German manufacturer BMW recalled 1.6 million vehicles due to potential problems with air bags manufactured by Takata, a problem already voiced by some Japanese car manufacturers.
As GM recalls near 40 percent of their vehicle inventory on the roads this year, car owners are becoming concerned that their vehicle may be the next to hit the recall list. Some may have suffered accidents involving recalled parts or malfunctioning systems in their own automobiles. Through no fault of their own, some of these car owners have faced serious financial setbacks and even severe physical injuries. While a Ford recall settlement has not yet been decided, owners of defective vehicles can take their cases to court in hopes of retrieving legal compensation for their injuries and economic losses.
Experienced Ford safety defect recall lawyers
Those who have suffered personal injury or property damage due to defective vehicles will find the experienced product liability lawyers at The Sanders Firm ready to help them with their specific needs. Our team understands how difficult it can be to meet your financial obligations when you have suffered significant injury or lost potential resale value following an auto recall.
We represent your legal rights and help you pursue maximum monetary damages. Contact The Sanders Firm today at 1.800.FAIR.PLAY to get a free case evaluation and learn if you are eligible for potential financial compensation today. Resources
- USA Today, Ford Issues Six Recalls Affecting 100,600 Vehicles, https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/07/08/ford-recalls/12362353/
- Bloomberg, The Year is Half Over and Auto Recalls Have Broken Record, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-08/the-year-is-half-over-and-auto-recalls-have-broken-record.html
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls and Defects, https://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety/Recalls+&+Defects
- Chicago Tribune, BMW to Recall 1.6 Million https://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/sns-rt-us-bmw-recall-20140716,0,3680490.story
