Recent Vehicle Recalls and What You Need to Know

Recent Vehicle Recalls and What You Need to Know

• October 11, 2024
• Categories: Lemon Law

Have you ever received a postcard in the mail that is addressed to the owner of a specific type of vehicle? If you have, then you likely own a vehicle that has been recalled. Vehicle recalls have two major purposes. They are designed to let you know that your vehicle has a defect that should be corrected and to protect the manufacturer from liability. But just because a recall is issued, that doesn’t mean you will learn about it. A notice mailed to you might be lost, and you might never receive a phone call or email either. How can you learn about a recall if you aren’t notified directly?

If you are concerned that you might be affected by a recent recall, you can look up a list of recent vehicle recalls from the past 12 months or search other online sources. Don’t let yourself be blindsided by a recall. The following information will help you learn more about whether your vehicle is affected and what you can do if it is.

Why Recalls Matter

A Recall Can Save a Life

While some recalls are relatively trivial, many involve a defect that can cause a car accident. Many recalls are intended to prevent serious injuries or deaths that can result from car accidents. A recall helps you avoid these consequences in two ways. First, it lets you know about the danger so you can stop using the vehicle that is recalled. Until you are informed about a recall, there is usually no way for you to know that your vehicle has a defective part that could result in an accident. Typically, even mechanics won’t notice the defect during a normal inspection. Many recalls involve defects that are in portions of the car that are difficult to get to.

Second, with every recall, the manufacturer is required to provide a cost-free way to make the car safe to drive. Typically, this involves replacing a defective part or performing other repairs. In some rare cases, a manufacturer will replace the vehicle if there is no other way to ensure that you are driving a safe vehicle.

The manufacturing company doesn’t do this out of the good of its heart, though. It is required by federal law to correct the problem. Additionally, in issuing an official recall and correcting the problem, the manufacturer also safeguards itself from future lawsuits.

Your Options for Learning About Vehicle Recalls That May Affect You

Is There a List of Recent Vehicle Recalls from the Past 12 Months?

There are several ways you can learn about recalls that may affect you. If you are looking for recent recalls, the website cars.com maintains a list of current recalls that is easy to look through and is updated every time a new recall is issued. This is handy if you have reason to believe your car was recalled recently and you just missed a notification.

However, if you are looking for any recalls that have ever affected your vehicle, the best option is to search all recalls on the NHTSA recall list. This list can be searched by VIN, vehicle type, or even equipment type. It allows you to be as certain as possible that your vehicle has or hasn’t been recalled.

Were you or a loved one seriously injured when a defect in your vehicle caused an accident? The California personal injury lawyers at Neale & Fhima APC may be able to help you get compensation. Call us today at 888-407-2955 for more information.

What to Do After Learning About a Recall

There are three major steps you should take after learning about a product recall. First, stop driving the vehicle immediately. Driving an unsafe vehicle can result in an accident, and it would be your fault because you were aware of the defect. Second, contact a dealership or the manufacturer (as appropriate) to get the defect corrected. This should be free. If it isn’t, you may want to hold off on this step. At the very least, if you are forced to pay anything, keep all records of what you pay.

Finally, contact a lawyer to determine what compensation, if any, you may be owed. For example, if you were previously involved in an accident due to a defect, you may be able to get compensation for that. Alternatively, if the recall wasn’t free, you might be able to get compensation. An attorney can explain your options.

Getting Compensation for Serious Injuries Caused by a Defective Vehicle

A recall typically protects the manufacturer from liability. However, that protection is limited. It can’t protect the manufacturer from liability for car accidents that occurred before the recall was issued. Furthermore, if you were never notified of a recall, the manufacturer may be liable for injuries suffered due to a defective product, even after a recall was issued.

If you or a loved one is injured in an accident that you think may involve a defective vehicle part, contact our law firm immediately. We stay up to date with all recalls and can easily determine whether a recall was issued for your vehicle and if that is consistent with what caused the accident. As long as you were never aware of a recall, our legal team can pursue litigation to get you compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs resulting from the accident.

Get Legal Help from Neal & Fhima APC

Defective vehicles are frustratingly common these days, whether it is because cars are increasingly complex machines or because manufacturers are cutting more corners. Whatever the reason, what matters most are the human beings who are getting hurt in accidents caused by defective car parts.

At Neale & Fhima APC, we put the welfare of our clients and their loved ones first. If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident involving a recalled vehicle, our California lawyers will help you determine your legal options. Call us today at 888-407-2955 to schedule an appointment.