Ford Recalls 1.5 Million Trucks for Transmission Fault

Recently, Ford Motor Company recalled nearly 1.5 million F-150 pickup trucks in North America. According to reports, there is a risk that the transmission could downshift into first gear without user input. This error could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash.

This recall affects F-150 models between 2011 and 2013. At least five vehicle accidents have been connected to the defective transmission.

Is My Vehicle Affected by a Recall?

If your vehicle is affected by a recall, your vehicle’s manufacturer will send you a notice with further instructions in the mail. They will use the mailing address on your vehicle registration, so it is important to keep it up to date.

You can easily check your vehicle for recalls or open investigations using your vehicle identification number (VIN). Your VIN will be 17 characters and can usually be found on the lower left of your vehicle’s windshield, your vehicle registration card or your vehicle insurance card.

After you have found your VIN, you can use it on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website to check for recalls. You may also be able to enter your VIN on your automaker’s website to check for recalls. If you own a Ford F-150 and think you may be affected by the recall, enter your VIN on their website.

You can also sign up for e-mail alerts from NHTSA. If a recall is issued for your vehicle, you will receive an alert.

Need a Texas Product Liability Attorney?

If you have been injured due to a defective product, contact our Lufkin product liability lawyers today to discuss your situation. At Mike Love & Associates, LLC, our attorneys have years of experience defending victims of defective products against large corporations. Please call us at (936) 632-2000 for a free consultation! For future updates on vehicle recalls, follow our Facebook page!

Is It Time for Hyundai and Kia to Issue a Recall?

The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is urging Kia and Hyundai to issue recalls for vehicles that may pose an increased risk of fire. CAS is the nonprofit group credited with pushing for a recall of Firestone tires almost 20 years ago. Now, the organization is calling on Hyundai and Kia to issue a recall before people are hurt —or worse, killed — by an issue that could be affecting engines in certain vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reportedly received more than 350 complaints involving the alleged defect. According to consumers affected by the issue, their vehicles caught fire without being involved in a collision.

Complaints involve the following Hyundai and Kia vehicles:

• 2011-2014 model-year Kia Optima

• 2011-2014 model-year Kia Sorento

• 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata

• 2011-2014 Hyundai Santa Fe

• 2010-2015 Kia Soul

According to a lawsuit filed against the automakers, the issue may be caused by a defect that restricts the flow of oil to engine parts. The lawsuit claims that as a result of the blockage, the engines in these vehicles may eventually catch fire.

Understanding Product Liability Claims for Defective Auto Parts

Victims of defective auto parts may be able to file product liability claims against vehicle manufacturers. Claims may be filed for design or manufacturing defects. Compensation from an auto defect claim can be immeasurably helpful for accident victims and their family members. For instance, compensation from an injury or wrongful death claim can help survivors pay for expenses associated with an injury or loss (medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, and more).

We have written about auto defects extensively on our blog. To learn more about auto defect cases and compensation for injuries caused by auto defects, we encourage you to continue reading our website. You can schedule a free consultation with one of our Texas auto defect lawyers by calling (936) 632-2000 or by using our online case review form.

Worried Your Vehicle May Be Affected by a Safety Recall?

Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 653 vehicle recalls due to manufacturing defects. These defects affected nearly 30 million cars. That is a lot to keep track of to keep you and your family safe.

How Do I Check Safety Recalls for My Vehicle? Once a vehicle is recalled due to a safety defect, the car manufacturer must notify registered owners by mail. However, that is not always reliable. By law, each on-road vehicle has a unique 17-digit number, known as a vehicle identification number (VIN). This number can be found on the bottom, left-hand side of your vehicle’s windshield. The VIN can also be found on your vehicle’s registration card. The VIN search checks for ongoing safety recalls, recalls from the past 15 years, and recalls issued by major vehicle manufacturers.

The VIN search will not cover completed recalls, international vehicles, some small, specialty vehicle brands, older recalls (more than 15 years old), and very recent safety recalls. This is due to NHTSA not having a complete list of affected VINs. NHTSA recommends checking for recalls twice a year. You can also sign up to receive email alerts when there has been a recall for your vehicle.

What Do I Do If My Vehicle Is Under Recall? If you have found that your car has been affected by a safety recall, contact your local authorized dealership. If you have received a letter from the manufacturer, bring it with you. If you do not have a letter, the manufacturer is still required to fix or replace the defect free of charge. NHTSA monitors each manufacturing defect recall to make sure those affected receive safe, free, and practical solutions.

What If I Have Been Injured Due to a Safety Defect in My Vehicle? If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident due to a manufacturing defect, an experienced product liability lawyer could help you seek coverage for your medical bills and/or wage losses. At Mike Love & Associates, LLC, we defend our clients aggressively in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Call us today at (936) 632-2000 to discuss potential next steps for your injuries.