It is estimated that a little over 390,000,000 cars have been recalled in the U.S. alone. These are usually due to vehicle defects that pose a danger to the car’s drivers and occupants. NHTSA, together with car manufacturers and the legal justice system are working together continuously to make sure that these recalls are sent out in a timely manner to ensure people know about them as soon as possible so they can take action before it’s too late.

Why You Should Take Note of Vehicle Recalls

Car recalls have become a regular news item in the media, and millions receive communication from their car manufacturers via text, calls or email regarding a car recall. As a rule of thumb, these should be treated with the urgency they deserve since something that may seem inconsequential such as a loose wire in the engine compartment could lead to an explosion and the car catching fire. Therefore, heading over to your dealership to have the wire fixed, or part replaced should be something you should place a high priority on regardless of your schedule.

Vehicle Recall Hotlines

The NHTSA, a federal organization charged with ensuring road safety runs a hotline in conjunction with the Department of Transportation called the Vehicle Safety Telephone service which gives you the opportunity to relay car safety issues immediately so action can be taken and the public alerted. The toll-free numbers are 1-888-327-4236 and 1-800-424-9393, and they are accessible from anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For citizens with a hearing impairment, feel free to call 1-800-424-9153.

Car defects that lead to recalls can affect the following car parts:

• Steering wheel
• Brakes
• Air bags
• Engine cooling fan blades
• Wheels
• Child safety seats
• Fuel system components

Vehicle Recall Lawsuits

Cars with defective parts pose a risk to the owner and other road users. It is your responsibility to act fast and report these, and consider filing an Indiana product liability lawsuit that may be consolidated into a class action lawsuit to hold car makers such as Toyota and Ford accountable so they are more deliberate going forward in manufacturing safer cars for all of us. For an indepth analysis of your legal claim, call us for FREE today at (773) 673-9861.