Recalls for Auto Defects Are Getting Out of Control

In today’s global economy, consumers have access to millions of products at just the click of a button. At the same time, there are more and more product recalls due to defects, too. The number of people impacted is significant. For example, more than 30 million cars were included in a May 2023 airbag recall issued by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA found that the problem was the airbag’s inflator, a safety device that receives a signal in the event of a collision. When the inflator is working properly, it aerates the airbag when signaled. In the case the recalled inflators  the inflator is at risk of exploding instead. It turns out that the manufacturer of the inflators, ARC Automotive, improperly welded the inflators.

When an inflator explodes, metal shrapnel from its housing may be launched into the cabin of the car, which can be extremely dangerous to the driver or any passengers. The airbag itself may also rupture, potentially causing major injury or even wrongful death.

Despite the increase in such dangerous product defects, authorities are taking even longer to look into these alarming events. The first failure of an ARC device dates back to 2009. And yet, investigations into the inflator issue didn’t start until six years later. In the summer of 2021, a young mother was killed when her ARC airbag exploded. It took almost two more years until the product recall was issued. With so many lives at risk, why are there so many delays in assuring public safety? Put simply, technology is becoming more complicated, which means that investigations are as well.

The perils of defective auto parts

Product recalls were up overall in the first quarter of 2023, with auto recalls up 3.4% (for a total of 245 incidents). According to Sedgwick’s recall index report, electrical systems defects made up the majority of vehicle recalls, with 48 incidents reported. In May 2023, Mini Cooper recalled 97,000 of its vehicles due to an electrical defect. The Mini Clubman and Mini Hardtop two-door cars were listed in the recall because of the potential of a control module to short-circuit and catch fire. Hyundai and Kia similarly recalled 571,000 vehicles due to tow-hitch harnesses that can short-circuit and burst into flames, even when the cars were turned off and parked.

Equipment defects made up the second-largest reason for recalls, with a reported 46 incidents. Tesla issued a recall of its Model S electric sedans because of a defective latch on their hoods. In the event that the faulty latch fails, the car’s hood can flip up, effectively leaving the driver to drive blind, increasing the chance of a crash or serious accident. Companies like Tesla frequently make headlines (like when its steering wheels fall off of cars), but lesser-known automakers aren’t immune. American RV manufacturer Jayco Inc. recalled some of its 2023 models because of defective solar panels that can detach, increasing the risk of a major crash and serious bodily injury.

Airbags: a hidden danger

According to 2017 data from the NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, airbags have saved 50,457 lives since their inception in 1987. But what happens when the everyday technology you rely on to protect you actually maims you instead? Sedgwick’s recall index report cites airbags as the third-largest reason for recalls, after electrical systems and equipment defects.

A case in point is the Takata airbag recall. With tens of millions of vehicles involved, the Takata PSAN airbag recall has been named by the NHTSA as the “largest and most complex safety recall” in all of U.S. history. The recall spans 14 different automakers to date, including Audi, BMW, Daimler Vans, Ferrari, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagen. The details of the Japanese car parts manufacturer’s recall are similar to the ARC Automotive case.

Both incidents involve defective airbags that are susceptible to exploding and peppering the car’s occupants with deadly metal shrapnel. When functioning properly, airbags only deploy if a vehicle that is traveling at about 16 miles per hour or more stops abruptly – as if it has run into a hard wall. If a defective airbag explodes when it is deployed, the shrapnel still travels at the speed at which the vehicle was going at the time of impact. This high-speed projectile shrapnel is a real danger to drivers. In some cases, the shards penetrated drivers’ necks and faces. In one incident, a Texas man was nearly decapitated.

Even when they are not lethally defective, airbag product defects can still cause other serious injuries such as bruising and contusions; fractured and broken bones; internal bleeding; head, spine, and brain injuries (including paralysis and paraplegia); or massive organ damage. Other possible maladies include eye injuries (including blindness), severe chemical burns, and general open wounds.

What to do if you’ve been injured by a defective auto product in Nevada

Preventing an injury should always be your first line of defense. If you suspect your vehicle has been affected by a recall, check the NHTSA website. If your vehicle is on the list, contact your local dealer about making the necessary repair or replacement. If you have already been injured as a result of a product defect, your best bet is to get good legal representation.

At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, we know product liability. Our attorneys in Las Vegas and Reno know the different legal procedures involved with trying cases related to injuries from defective products. Claggett & Sykes understand the ins and outs of product liability laws, including those that are specific to Nevada. Some notable product liability settlements from our expert trial lawyers include:

• $153 million for a wrongful death due to a product defect
• $21 million for a brain injury caused by a product defect
• $8 million awarded for paraplegia as a result of a product defect

Need a product defect lawyer in Las Vegas or Reno Nevada? Fill out our contact form for a consultation about a product defect injury or wrongful death today.