Auto Product Liability

Honda has issued an auto recall for over 200,000 recent models with automatic transmission issues. The New York Times reports that the defective Hondas have automatic transmissions that can be shifted out of “park” if the brake pedal is not pressed down. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the affected vehicles include 17,500 Acura RDX models from 2013, 128,000 CR-Vs from 2012-13, and 59,000 Honda Odyssey minivans from 2012-13. No injuries have been reported in connection with these vehicle defects.

Honda has had brake-shift interlock issues in the past, as well. In 2010, Honda recalled about 384,000 2003-04 models because the key could be removed when the vehicle was not in “park.” There were two other recalls because of this same issue in 2003 and 2005. Those three recalls affected 1.4 million vehicles.

Honda is not the only company issuing a recall this week. Nissan has brake issues that have resulted in the recall of about 14,000 Pathfinders and 5,000 Infiniti JX vehicles from the 2013 model year. Nissan reports that the front brake caliper assembly was not cast properly. This manufacturing error makes it prone to prematurely fail and crack. The defective brake caliper can move and contact the inside of the wheel resulting in reduced braking. It is not clear if this brake defect has resulted in any injuries.

If you have been injured while driving in Georgia as the result of a defective auto, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. know how to hold negligent automakers liable. Please contact us at (404) 995-3955 for a no-cost consultation.

If you own a Kia or Hyundai, your vehicle may have a defective brake light switch that could increase your chances of being in an accident. According to a news report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kia Motors and Hyundai have recalled 1.9 million cars and SUVs for defective auto parts. A majority of the recalled vehicles have a defective brake light switch that on occasion prevents the brake lights from turning on when the pedal is depressed. The defective part can also affect the cruise control system and the Electronic Stability Control light.

The 623,000 Kia vehicles involved in the recall include the following models: Sorrento 2007 to 2011, Rondo and Sportage 2007-2010, Sedona 2007, Soul 2010-2011, and the Optima 2011. The 1.06 million Hyundai models recalled include: Accent and Tucson 2007-2009, Elantra 2007-2010, Santa Fe 2007-2011, Veracruz 2008-2009, Genesis Coupe 2010-2011, and the Sonatas 2011. The auto manufacturers have stated that the defective switches have not been linked to any accidents. Owners can receive a free replacement switch in the coming months.

Hyundai is also issuing a recall for issues regarding their airbags. About 194,000 Elantra compacts from model years 2011 to 2013 have a support bracket that can come loose when the side air bags are inflated. In one reported incident, the loose bracket cut a driver’s ear. This defect resulted from mistakes made during the installation of auto-dimming, rear-view mirrors.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of a vehicle mechanical malfunction or defective auto part, there are a number of steps that you would be well advised to take.

• Preserve the damaged vehicle for a thorough inspection.
• Seek medical attention and document your injuries.
• Keep track of the treatment you have received, including all receipts and invoices.
• Call an experienced auto defect attorney.

The Georgia auto product liability attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. know how to hold negligent auto manufacturers accountable. If your accident was caused by a defective auto or vehicle part, please contact us at (404) 995-3955 for a free, comprehensive consultation.

Subaru of America is issuing a recall of 47,419 vehicles in North America that have malfunctioning remote engine starters. As reported by The Detroit News, this auto recall affects the 2012-13 Impreza, 2010-13 Legacy, 2010-13 Outback, and the 2013 XV Crosstrek. Investigators say that the defect allows the engine to start and run for 15 minutes and continue to turn on and off until the battery in the key fob dies or the vehicle runs out of gas. This defect is particularly dangerous if the vehicle is parked in an enclosed space where a buildup of carbon monoxide can result in asphyxiation.

This is not the first auto recall in recent months that Subaru has had to issue. At the beginning of 2013, Subaru recalled 633,842 relatively late-model sedans, wagons, and crossovers that had electrical issues. According to an ABC News report, the recall resulted after there were a number of reports involving shorts in the electrical system that posed a fire hazard. Subaru was able to begin the recall for that defect before there were any actual vehicle fires, but there were incidents involving smoke.

If a mechanical or electrical malfunction results in substantial damage or physical injury, it may be in your best interest to contact an experienced Atlanta auto defect attorney. Often, it is possible to pursue financial support for your pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses by filing a claim against the at-fault manufacturer.

In order to hold an auto manufacturer accountable for a defective part, you will have to show how the Georgia auto accident occurred and what types of injuries resulted from the malfunction. It is important that you preserve the vehicle for a complete and thorough investigation and that you seek out medical attention to document your injuries. It is also important that you seek the guidance of a skilled attorney at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., who has successfully handled auto product liability cases against car and other product manufacturers. Call us today at (404) 995-3955 to learn more about your rights.

Chrysler Group LLC has issued an auto defect recall on a number of their mid-size cars that have damaged fuel tank control valves. As reported by The Detroit News, 1,785 vehicles in the United States are affected by the recall, including Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger mid-size sedans. Officials say the damaged control valves could cause the engine to stall or fuel to leak. The recall is linked to faulty parts shipped by the tank supplier and only involves vehicles that were manufactured during a five-day period last fall. Chrysler is unaware of any accidents that have resulted from this auto defect.

There have been a number of recent recalls involving fuel tanks and fuel-related issues. In a related but separate recall, BMW AG’s Rolls-Royce unit recalled 27 new Phantom vehicles that were shipped without anti-misfueling devices. Only seven of the affected vehicles were sold. Chrysler also had to recall Jeep Compass vehicles from model year 2012 for fuel-related defects. Certain Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles were built with a fuel tank assembly that had a damaged rollover valve. In the event of a rollover, fuel could leak and cause a fire.

The Georgia auto defect lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. know that it is the responsibility of all auto manufacturers to ensure that their vehicles are reasonable safe. When an auto part is defective, it can cause the vehicle to experience sudden and unexpected malfunctions, which can lead to a major accident. Defective auto parts have been linked to:

• Fuel system explosions
• Car fires
• Airbag deployment
• Rollover risks
• Seatbelt problems
• Occupant ejections
• Structural integrity issues

In the event of a Georgia car accident, it is important that victims or families of deceased victims preserve the vehicle that was involved so it can be thoroughly examined by an expert for defects, malfunctions, and other evidence. The skilled attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. know how to hold auto manufacturers accountable. We provide free consultations at (404) 995-3955 to anyone who has been injured by a defective product.

Mitsubishi has issued an auto recall for their electric cars because of defective brakes that can pose serious hazards. According to The Associated Press, Mitsubishi is recalling 1,400 i-MiEV cars made between December 2, 2011 and September 7, 2012. Officials say the vehicles have a defective vacuum pump that can stop working. When this occurs, the braking power will be affected and the stopping distance will be greatly increased.

Mitsubishi says no crashes or injuries have been reported because of this defect and that the issue was only uncovered after a complaint was filed by a customer in Japan. Anyone with one of these potentially dangerous vehicles can have their pump replaced, free of charge.

The i-MiEV is not the first electric car to be recalled in recent years. The electric car maker Fisker Automotive recalled 239 Karma vehicles in December of 2011 for issues with a hose clip in their battery units that could result in a coolant leak or car fire. Coda Automotive recalled 78 vehicles from model year 2012 that had side curtain airbags that were not installed properly. The Norwegian car maker Think issued three recalls in as many months in 2011 for defective safety belts and improperly adjusted transmissions.

If you are injured because of a defective auto part or mechanical malfunction, it may be in your best interest to preserve the vehicle for a thorough investigation and to contact an experienced product liability attorney. Financial compensation may be available for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

The skilled Georgia defective auto product lawyers at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., have a long history of handling claims involving auto recalls and defective auto parts. We provide free consultations at (404) 995-3955 to anyone who has been injured by faulty products.

If you own a Toyota, you may be one of the millions of Americans about to receive a letter stating that your vehicle is at risk of catching fire. According to a Wall Street Journal news report, Toyota Motor Corp. has issued an auto recall of 7.4 million vehicles, including 2.5 million cars in the United States, because of a potential fire hazard.

Officials say that some of these vehicles, which were manufactured between July 2005 and May 2010, have power-window switches that can ignite. The affected models include Corolla and Camry sedans as well as RAV4 SUVs and Yaris, Tundra, Scion, Sequoia, Highlander, and Matrix models. Toyota says that the recall was issued only out of caution and that there have been no reports of accidents as a result of this defective auto part.

This auto recall is the largest recall for Toyota involving a single vehicle part. Toyota recalled 7.7 million vehicles in 2009 and 2010 due to faulty floor mats. Accelerator pedals became stuck on the defectively designed mats causing vehicles to accelerate beyond the control of the driver.

When a defective auto part causes a vehicle to catch fire or veer out of control, the occupants of the vehicle could suffer devastating injuries. When this occurs, a skilled personal injury attorney can help the victim hold the at-fault manufacturer accountable for their negligence. In such cases, compensation may be available for their pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and other related damages.

The experienced Georgia auto product liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., have a long history of successfully handling product liability claims against auto manufacturers. We help victims of defective auto parts get fair compensation for their losses. Please contact us at (404) 995-3955 for a free consultation.

Toyota Motor Corp is in trouble again for manufacturing vehicles with pedal-entrapment and sudden acceleration issues. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has requested a recall of Lexus RX 350 and RX 450 H vehicles from model year 2010. Officials say these vehicles have potentially defective floor mats that can cause the accelerator to stick. In such cases, the defective auto part can cause the vehicle to speed out of control. On June 29, 2012, Toyota announced the auto recall involves 154,000 vehicles.

This is not the first time that Toyota has had issues with faulty floor mats and gas pedals. In late 2009, Toyota recalled 6.9 million vehicles because of floor mats that could cause gas pedals to become stuck. That recall eventually included 14 models of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Of the vehicles recalled for problematic floor mats, 85 percent have been brought back and fixed. That means that hundreds of thousands of cars may still be on the roadway with this defective auto part.

Auto manufacturers have a legal obligation to provide safe products and to report any issues that they uncover with their vehicles. When someone suffers an injury because of a defective auto part, the manufacturer can be held liable for the victim’s losses. A product liability claim, for example, can hold a negligent auto company accountable for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.

The reputed Georgia auto product liability attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., know how to hold auto manufacturers accountable for their defective products. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a vehicle defect or design defect, please contact us at (404) 995-3955 for a no-cost consultation.