What You Should Know About Vehicle Recalls in Illinois

 Posted on September 12,2019 in Car Accidents

There has been a sharp increase in the number of vehicles affected by safety recalls in recent years, not just in Illinois, but across the country. The number of such recalls sharply increased from almost 13 million recalls in 2011 to over 51 million in 2016. Vehicles are recalled if there is new information that shows a vehicle has a safety issue or problem that must be fixed. It is important to have the problem fixed because failure to do so can lead to a serious motor vehicle accident.

Vehicle Recall Procedures

A recall may be issued by an automaker on the manufacturer’s own initiative or by operation of law. A recall usually means that the vehicle in question has a design, production, or operation flaw. This decision is often based on the manufacturer’s own studies or data from accidents involving the vehicle subject to recall. The latter, meaning data from accidents, is gathered and shared by agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which can order recalls without the manufacturers’ concurrence.

If a recall is ordered by the NHTSA, the manufacturer is required to send instructions on what should be done in a letter via first-class mail to all owners, dealers, and outlets which sold or is selling the vehicle subject to recall. The letter must also include directions for resolving the safety issue. Any required repairs must be offered at no expense to the owner.

Common Recall Issues

Generally, many of these recalls are not for serious problems, but there are cases where the safety issue is significant enough to cause serious accidents if not fixed. Some of the serious issues that necessitate recalls include:

• Defective steering mechanism;
• Faulty or defective tires;
• Defective safety belts or restraints;
• Defective airbags and airbag inflators; and
• Faulty wiring.

Prior to the recall being issued, a car maker may share in the liability for any accidents that result from the identified defect. The manufacturer can also incur liability for failing to execute the recall properly. 

A Lake County Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you or a member of your family has been injured in an accident caused by a vehicle subject to recall, contact an experienced Waukegan personal injury attorney to discuss your options and what compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries. We are experienced and know how to investigate and establish facts that could be used to get you maximum compensation. Schedule a free consultation by calling 847-662-3303. At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., we collect our fees only when you collect compensation.

Sources:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2015-title49-vol7/pdf/CFR-2015-title49-vol7-sec573-15.pdf

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-recalls-nhtsa/automakers-recalled-51-million-u-s-vehicles-in-2015-idUSKCN0UZ2UB