Over the span of just three weeks, the following major auto-related recalls have been launched:
- Ford: Faulty brake hose issue that can cause brake fluid to leak, rendering motorists unable to stop as quickly as they may need to
- Honda: Rust on the suspension that can cause the rear trailing arm to detach and motorists to lose control
- Volkswagen: Faulty fuel pumps that can result in the sudden loss of vehicle power
- Volkswagen (again): Faulty side air bags that cause sporadic shut offs to the air bag protection afforded front-seat passengers
This list of recalls does not include a host of lesser recalls for safety issues that could increase the risk of a crash but that affect fewer vehicles.
“Okay,” you may be thinking. “But I don’t own any of those vehicles.” Maybe not. But chances are good that, given the number of vehicles recalled for serious issues at any given time, you likely encounter vehicles with serious safety issues on a fairly regular basis while you’re on the road.
What can be done?
There isn’t much that you can do about the fact that auto manufacturers regularly release faulty products to the public. But, you can stay informed about the safety status of your vehicle and the vehicles that your loved ones drive. By taking five minutes once a month to enter your VIN numbers on the National Highway Traffic Safety Association’s website, you can get immediate feedback in re: whether any of the vehicles that you and your loved ones drive are subject to recalls.
Also, you’ll want to keep in mind that vehicle defects affect millions of cars and trucks being driven actively each day. If you’re ever in an injurious accident, make sure to seek legal guidance concerning whether a defect may have played a role in the crash and whether a manufacturer can be held liable for the resulting harm.