Ford Motor Co. has issued a recall on 365,000 F-150 model pickup trucks in the United States, Canada, and Mexico due to faulty door handles, according to Auto-Types.com. The recall affects at least 281,000 2009 and 2010 model trucks in the U.S. that were manufactured between January 2008 and November 2009.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the door handles of the trucks may not perform properly in the event of a crash. Should impact occur, the door handles have a high likelihood of spring failure, which could cause the door to open. At the time the report was published, there had not been reports of accidents or injuries occurring due to the faulty door handles.
Replacement of the door handles will begin once replacement parts have arrived and will be done at no cost to the consumer. Ford is requesting that owners of F-150 model trucks, especially years 2009 and 2010, proceed to Ford or Lincoln dealership centers to have their vehicles assessed for the faulty door handles.
Vehicle manufacturers have a responsibility to the public to produce and sell cars and trucks that are safe for consumers and free of defects. However, when auto makers place profit over safety consumers are subject to hazards which may expose them to the risk of personal injury. Falling out, or being ejected from, a door that should not open in a crash is just an example. If you have been injured because of a defective auto part or a recalled vehicle, you may be able to pursue a New Jersey auto product liability claim.
At Blume Forte, our New Jersey automotive product defect attorneys have the resources and experience to investigate potential claims surrounding automotive product defects. Contact us for a no-cost consultation at 973-845-4421.