New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

Ford Recalls Almost 130,000 Vehicles due to Wheel Defect

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ford Motor Company are recalling 128,626 vehicles as the result of defective wheel studs, which may fracture and cause an increased risk of an injury accident. If multiple stud fractures occur while driving any of these vehicles, the driver may feel vibration and/or wheel separation, which increases the likelihood of an injury crash.

This recall follows an Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) Preliminary Evaluation which was opened on January 21, 2011. The ODI became aware of 29 complaints related to the wheel stud defect, as well as four incidents of wheel separation as of July 26, 2011. The preliminary investigation was followed by an engineering analysis, which eventually lead to the current recall.

Ford is recalling 2010 and 2011 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion vehicles which are equipped with 17-inch steel wheels. They were manufactured from April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009 and from December 1, 2009 through November 13, 2010. This recall is expected to begin in January 2012.

Ford will notify owners of the affected vehicles and dealers will replace the brake discs as needed. The wheel lug nuts will also be replaced. For additional information, owners may call the Ford Customer Relations Center at (866) 436-7332. The NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline is also available at (888) 327-4236.

At Blume Goldfaden, our knowledgeable auto product liability attorneys in New Jersey have the experience required to comprehensively investigate and pursue meritorious injury claims. If you have been injured as the result of auto manufacturer negligence, contact us for a no-cost consultation at (973) 635-5400.

Toyota to Recall Over 420,000 Vehicles due to Engine Defect

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in cooperation with Toyota Motor North America, Inc., is recalling approximately 420,326 Lexus and Toyota vehicles as the result of an engine defect that may increase the chances of an auto accident resulting in injury.

The crankshift assembly defect may cause the battery discharge light to turn on and create noise. Additionally, the power steering belt may detach from the pulley, resulting in a loss of power steering and subsequent sudden increase in steering difficulty, which increases the risk of an accident.

The vehicles affected by this defect were manufactured from June 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005 and include the:

• 2004 Avalon;
• 2004 and 2005 Camry, Camry Solara, Sienna, and Highlander;
• 2006 Highlander Hybrid;
• 2004 and 2005 Lexus RX330 and ES330; and
• 2006 Lexus RX400H.

The recall is expected to begin January 2012, at which time Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft pulley if defective. For more information, owners of the recalled vehicles may call Toyota at (800) 331-4331 or the NHTSA hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Auto manufacturers are responsible for the safety of the vehicles they produce. If substandard materials are used, it increases the likelihood that an accident may occur.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey car accident as the result of a vehicle defect, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. Contact the experienced New Jersey auto product liability attorneys at Blume Goldfaden to determine whether you may have a meritorious claim. Please call (973) 635-5400.

NHTSA Recalls Over 300,000 Honda Pilot Vehicles for Seat Belt Defects

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in cooperation with the American Honda Motor Company, has announced the impending recall of approximately 310,773 Honda Pilot vehicles due to a defect in the lap portion of the seat belt on both the driver and front passenger side of the vehicle. The stitching that secures the end of the seat belts may be missing or incomplete, causing the seat belts to detach from the anchor webbing; increasing the chance of personal injury in the event of an accident.

The affected Honda vehicles include model year 2009 to 2011 Honda Pilot SUVs that were manufactured from March 13, 2008 through August 30, 2011. The recall is expected to begin October 3, 2011. Honda owners will be instructed to take their vehicles to a Honda dealer for a no-cost inspection and, if needed, replacement of the driver and front passenger seat belts. Honda owners may direct any questions or concerns to Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009.

Automobiles need to be designed and manufactured under standards which take into consideration the safety of its intended occupants. A seat belt is a fundamental piece of protective equipment in a vehicle and must function properly.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident as the result of a defective seat belt, or any other defective automotive product, the experienced New Jersey seat belt defect lawyers at Blume Goldfaden can help you understand your legal rights and options. To find out whether you may have a meritorious claim, contact us for a no-cost consultation at (973) 635-5400.

NHTSA Recalls Over 200,000 Hyundai Vehicles Due to Frontal Airbag Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Hyundai Motor Company is recalling approximately 205,233 vehicles due to a driver side airbag defect that may cause the airbag to fail to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of serious injury to the driver.

The defect involves the clock spring contact assembly for the supplemental restraint system, or SRS, which may become damaged as it is used over time and may cause a driver’s airbag deployment failure. In the case of an auto accident, this greatly increases the risk of driver injury or death.

Hyundai is recalling the following vehicles:

• Model year 2007-2008 Veracruz Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUV), manufactured from December 26, 2006 through March 21, 2008; and
• Model year 2007-2008 Santa Fe CUVs, manufactured from April 19, 2006 through March 20, 2008.

Hyundai dealers will replace the driver side airbag clock spring contact assembly as needed at no cost. For additional information, Hyundai owners may call the company’s customer service center at 1-800-633-5151. The recall campaign number is 103.

At Blume Goldfaden, our experienced NJ defective airbag attorneys have obtained significant settlements and verdicts on behalf of New Jersey clients with meritorious auto product liability claims. If you have been injured as the result of an airbag defect, or any automotive product defect, contact us for a no-cost consultation at (973) 635-5400.

Toyota Recalling Over 80,000 Vehicles for Electrical System Defect, Risk of Limited Drivability or Shut Down

Toyota has announced the recall of approximately 82,000 vehicles due to an electrical system defect that could increase the risk of an accident due to limited drivability or vehicle shut down. According to safercar.gov, certain model year 2006-2007 Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX400H Passenger Cars manufactured from February 16, 2005 through August 30, 2006, are included in the recall.

The primary concern with the affected cars is that transistors were inadequately soldered during the manufacturing process. The transistors may be affected by heat caused from electric current running through them. As a result, different warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, may illuminate on the instrument panel. Consequently, a vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode in which a motorist’s ability to drive the car will be limited. In addition, the hybrid system may even shut down while the car is still in motion. These potential problems increase the danger of an accident taking place if the car unexpectedly slows or stops, or, a motorist loses drivability.

Owners of the recalled vehicles are expected to receive notification of the recall from Toyota/Lexus by mid-July and further notice when parts are available to complete necessary repairs. Repairs will be performed at no cost to the consumer if Toyota dealers determine the inverter has faulty transistors.

Vehicle manufacturers are responsible for designing, testing, manufacturing and distributing products which are safe to be used for the purpose intended. If a preventable manufacturing defect is the cause of an accident, the manufacturer may be held liable for any resulting injuries, damages and losses.

The New Jersey auto product liability lawyers at Blume Goldfaden are experienced in the complexities of this specialized litigation. We are committed to protecting our clients’ rights and help them obtain compensation in meritorious cases. For more information about your potential legal rights, call 973-635-5400.

Toyota Recalls Priuses for Power Steering Defect

In June 2011, Toyota announced a recall affecting the Prius for model years 2001 through 2003. According to Safercar.gov, the cars were manufactured from January 28, 2000 through May 30, 2003.

The defective component is part of the steering system, specifically the electric power assist system (commonly called “power steering”) which uses an electric motor to reduce the effort necessary for the driver to steer the vehicle. In this case, the steering linkage may loosen which would diminish electric steering assistance when making a left turn.

The loss of power steering while the car is in motion and in the process of making a turn could result in a collision and injuries.

The recall should begin in early July 2011. If you believe you own a Prius that is part of the recall, you can call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 for more information. Toyota will contact the owners of affected cars and instruct them to take their vehicles to a dealership where repairs to the referenced system will be made free of charge.

Defective and/or poorly designed parts and systems on a motor vehicle pose a danger to the driver, passengers, pedestrians and other motorists sharing the road. Auto manufacturers are responsible for designing, creating and distributing safe vehicles, fit for the purpose intended. They must test vehicles appropriately to determine their safety, crashworthiness and performance before placing them on the market for consumer purchase.

Individuals who drove a defective vehicle and who were in New Jersey auto accidents may be able to hold auto manufacturers liable for defects in the vehicle’s design, manufacture and testing. At Blume Goldfaden, our New Jersey auto product liability attorneys can help determine if you may have a valid claim; call 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

Chrysler Group LLC Recalls Vehicles for Missing or Inaccurately Installed Steering Column Pivot Rivet

Chrysler Group LLC is recalling approximately 11,351 vehicles due to a steering column pivot rivet that may be missing or improperly installed.

According to safercar.org, this vehicle defect jeopardizes the capability of the steering column to support occupant loads during a frontal impact accident, which lowers the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. Consequently, occupants of vehicles with this flaw are at a heightened risk of suffering injury or death in the event of a frontal collision.

The Chrysler vehicles included in the recall are all model year 2011:

• Chrysler 200
• Chrysler 200 Convertible
• Chrysler Town and Country
• Dodge Avenger
• Dodge Caliber
• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Dodge Journey
• Dodge Nitro
• Jeep Compass
• Jeep Liberty
• Jeep Patriot
• Jeep Wrangler

Owners of these vehicles are being advised to contact dealers who are expected to inspect the vehicles for rivet presence and either align or repair the steering column pivot if necessary; at no cost to the consumer. The vehicle safety recall is scheduled to start during June 2011 and owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

It is expected that the motor vehicles we drive everyday should be designed and manufactured so as to keep us as safe as possible in the event of an accident, and, not increase the risk of suffering an injury. However, sometimes car manufacturers overlook design or manufacturing flaws before selling their vehicles to the public.

As auto product liability litigation is quite complex, you will need an experienced New Jersey auto design defect lawyer to assist with protecting your rights. For decades, the attorneys at Blume Goldfaden have been obtaining significant recoveries for auto accident victims injured by defective auto products. Contact us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation to evaluate whether you may have a meritorious claim.

General Motors Passenger Car Recall Issued for a Failure to Comply with Side Window Air Bag Safety Standards

General Motors announced the recall of 47,401 vehicles because of the company’s failure to adhere to requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” A safercar.gov alert states that certain model year 2011 Cadillac SRX passenger vehicles are involved in the recall.

The potential problem with the vehicles is that the passenger side roof-rail air bag deactivates and would not deploy if the front passenger seat is not occupied. This airbag is designed to protect rear seat passengers as well, and therefore, if such deactivation occurs, any occupant in the right rear seat may not be protected in the event of frontal and side collisions. This increases the risk of injury to rear seat passengers. GM dealers are expected to reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module at no cost to vehicle owners.

Air bags are expected to comport with standards meant to ensure motorist safety. However, as this recent vehicle air bag recall demonstrates, auto manufacturers do not always comply with well-established safety standards.

Litigation concerning air bag defects is intricate and requires the expertise of legal counsel experienced in handling automobile product liability matters. New Jersey air bag defect attorneys who have obtained successful results in auto product liability cases can help guide you through the legal process. At Blume Goldfaden, our lawyers have decades of experience protecting the rights of those harmed as a result of automotive product defects and design flaws. Call our firm at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.

General Motors Recalls 4,678 Vehicles for Windshield Wiper Flaw Posing Visibility Hazard

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) vehicle recall announcement reported that General Motors LLC is recalling approximately 4,674 vehicles due to a flaw in windshield wipers that could lead to visibility hazards, which can increase the risk of having an accident. Included in the recall are certain 2011 model year Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured between September 22, 2010 and November 5, 2010.

Some of the vehicles included in the recall have windshield wiper motor crank arm nuts that may not be tightened to the degree that is required for safe and effective operation. If there is an accumulation of snow or ice, and the wipers are used, or, if the wipers are used on a dry windshield, the nut could become loose. If the nut loosens significantly, the wipers could fail to operate, thereby limiting motorists’ visibility and increasing the risk of a collision.

Auto dealers are expected to properly tighten the wiper motor crank arm nut at no cost to the consumer. Owners of recalled vehicles can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, or visit http://www.gmownercenter.com.

Car manufacturers are responsible for designing and creating vehicles that do not contain defects or lack certain crashworthiness components. However, defective vehicles often make their way into the marketplace. While vehicle safety recalls are important so that drivers are aware of potential dangers posed by auto defects, accidents that may cause injury or even death could take place before an auto manufacturer launches a recall or sufficiently warns the general public of the hazard.

Individuals who are injured and family members of those injured or killed in New Jersey motor vehicle accidents that are believed to have been caused by an automotive product defect may have certain legal rights. A New Jersey car defect lawyer at Blume Goldfaden can evaluate the specific facts of your potential claim to determine whether or not the claim is meritorious. To learn more about your rights, call us at 973-635-5400.

Toyota Recalls 307,848 Vehicles for Potential Inadvertent Curtain Shield Airbag (CSA) System Activation

Toyota is recalling approximately 307,900 vehicles because of a potential problem with the curtain shield airbag (CSA) sensor systems, causing them to activate inadvertently and when unnecessary. As a consequence of this airbag defect, the vehicle occupants could be injured.

According to Safercar.gov, Toyota will launch its official recall of its model year 2008 Highlanders, model year 2008 Highlander Hybrids, and model years 2007-2008 Rav4s in early to mid-May of 2011. According to the recall notification, once adequate parts and remedy become available, Toyota will replace the airbag sensor assembly with a new one at no cost to the consumer.

Vehicle recalls are vital in ensuring that New Jersey consumers stay informed about defective auto parts which could jeopardize their safety. Some vehicle recalls are not timely made, and as a result, could cause serious injury or death from the vehicle’s defect and its effect on the car’s crashworthiness.

Auto product liability litigation involving airbags defects in New Jersey is complex, requiring legal counsel and representation by New Jersey defective airbag attorneys. At Blume Goldfaden, our auto product liability lawyers have successfully handled numerous cases involving automobile defects. With decades of experience, we have the resources to help clients pursue meritorious claims. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.