Every day, thousands of New Yorkers travel on city streets and highways, trusting that their vehicles will operate safely. Unfortunately, some of these cars and trucks may have unseen dangerous flaws. Automotive manufacturing defects can cause vehicles to malfunction and cause injury to the driver, their passengers, and bystanders. When this type of defect is identified, automakers will issue a recall to address the dangerous condition. Recently, automaker Ford issued a recall for 40,000 vehicles for fire risk.
Last month, General Motors (GM) announced its recall of over 40,000 Ford medium-duty trucks due to possible fire hazards. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA), the vehicle’s brake fluid could leak onto the brake pressure sensor assembly, thereby creating a risk that the component could short-circuit and lead to a fire. The impacted vehicles include certain Chevy Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD trucks built by Navistar under contract for GM. The recall involves up to 40,428 vehicles, including models made between 2019 and 2023.
According to the NTSA’s report, the vehicles “may have a brake pressure sensor assembly that allows brake fluid to leak beyond the diaphragm seal into the pressure switch.” The brake fluid can then seep into the sensor’s components, creating a short in the brake pressure switch and fuse.
The manufacturing defect could lead to an “underhood fire” when the vehicle is off and “possibly unattended.” In response, GM is urging vehicle owners to park away outside of garages and in other outdoor areas that are located away from structures that could catch fire until the defect can be repaired.
Ford has determined that drivers may notice a “service brake system” warning light when the fluid seeps through the seal. However, despite the warning, the light may appear with insufficient notice. According to a recent report, there have been 21 incidents involving the recall vehicles, 11 of which resulted in visible flames, smoke, or fire.
Ford dealers will replace the master cylinder sensors and inspect the vehicle’s wire harnesses. If the inspection shows that the wire harness is not in good shape, it will be replaced free of charge. The automaker will be mailing notices of the safety risk in late May. Once the remedy is available, there will be a second notification.
Automobile Defects
When a car, truck, or other motor vehicle has a dangerous manufacturing defect, the driver, their passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians can be placed at tremendous risk. In the case of GM’s most recent recall, the vehicles catching and spreading fire may harm these individuals and inhabitants of nearby properties.
Victims of a vehicle manufacturing defect or recall may be seriously wounded or killed. In some cases, the defects can lead to accidents that cause catastrophic injuries. A person harmed during an automotive manufacturing defect accident may have extensive medical bills, property damage, lost wages and time at work, pain and suffering, and other personal injury damages.
Automobile defect cases are complicated, and working with an experienced personal injury attorney is essential to protecting your rights. Our firm knows what steps to take to gather evidence, work with experts, and develop your case.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to a defective automobile part or component, contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced automobile defect attorney as soon as possible to discuss your accident and available remedies.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one have been injured due to a motor vehicle accident or defective product, you should schedule a free consultation with the experienced personal injury attorneys at Bonina & Bonina, P.C. We have the experience you need to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us at 1888-MEDLAW1 or contact us online for a free consultation.