Vehicles are recalled nearly every week in the United States, and many consumers never hear about the problems associated with certain cars or trucks they might be interested in purchasing. Recalled vehicles that do not receive the proper maintenance can cause auto accidents or fatalities. Ford had a particularly bad month this September, recalling its popular 2013 Escape, as well as its Edge SUV, due to fire risks. However, GM, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, and Chrysler also had recalls this past month.
While it is important to hold companies responsible for product safety, there are a few things consumers can do to help keep themselves safe. Staying up to date on recall information, especially with heavy machinery such as automobiles, can be very important.
Here is a list of current recalls from September.
1. 2012 Ford Edge SUV with 2-Litre EcoBoost
Ford has recalled 5,800 of its popular Edge SUVs because a potential fuel leak could lead to a fire. Spokesperson Susan Krusel said that the company is aware of 12 instances of faulty fuel lines in the model, through warranty claims, but so far no one has been injured or killed as a result of the defect. Ford says the problem stemmed from one manufacturer, which made the fuel lines.
2. 2013 Ford Escape SUV with EcoBoost Engine
The EcoBoost caused further problems in the latest SUV from Ford, the Escape, which is one of their most popular models. The 2013 model has seen 3 recalls since its release, all related for potential fire hazards from fluid leaks. 6,146 of the vehicles are being recalled to fix a potential engine coolant leak, which could result in engine fires. In a small number of cases, the cup plug on the engine cylinder head may come loose. However, so far fewer than 0.4% of Escape models in the US have had the issue.
3. Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 sedans, 2007-2009 model years; Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Turrent SUVs, 2007; Saturn Ion Sedans, 2007 – General Motors
GM is recalling up to 40,000 cars from warm-weather states because plastic part could crack and cause a fuel leak. The states GM listed in particular are Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas. Oklahoma and Arkansas are also included in the recall of the Pontiac G5 and the Chevy Cobalt, 2009 model. GM says that so far there have been no injuries or deaths because of engine fires from fuel leaks, but the company began investigating the issue after a dealer reported fuel leaking from some vehicles in 2011.
The company is also recalling nearly 474,000 Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn cars from 2007-2010 to fix a transmission cable problem that can cause the cars to roll away unexpectedly.
4. Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra
Nissan recently issued a recall for the Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive models that were manufactured between June 19thand July 12th, 2012. Front wheel hubs in these models may not meet design hardness specifications, which means they could wear prematurely, and cause a crack.
5. Suzuki Equator
Two-wheel drive equators manufactured between June 19th and July 12th, 2012 are being recalled because of a similar problem with front wheel hubs. The design hardness specifications may not have been met in up to 25 of the vehicles, which could cause premature cracking.
6. Honda Element, models 2007-2011
Honda Elements with the trailer hitch add-on has a wiring problem that causes the turn signal lights to work only when the driver is also hitting the brakes. This increases the risk of an accident when the car owners are hauling an attached trailer. The NHTSA says that 5,216 of these vehicles are affected by the recall.
While this is a list of many of the most current recalls for the past month, recalls are issued by manufacturers all the time as new defects are reported. For a complete list, visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s recall website.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. If the auto accident was caused by a defect in your vehicle, it is important to hold the manufacturer responsible. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today. 803.252.4800.
