The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and several automakers recently announced a recall that affects over 2.1 million vehicles in the United States. The recall focuses on problems in the vehicles’ air bag systems that have caused injuries and that may be responsible for as many as six deaths, according to a NHTSA spokesperson.
The recall affects vehicles in model years 2002, 2003, and 2004. These include the 2003 Acura MDX, the 2003 and 2004 Honda Odyssey, the 2003 and 2004 Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and Avalon, and certain 2003 and 2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles from a plant that assembled both Toyota and General Motors vehicles. The 2003 and 2004 Dodge Viper are covered by the recall, as well as the 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty and the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.
The defect may cause air bags to inflate at improper times, to fail to inflate in a crash, or to inflate too forcefully, leading to ruptures and causing injuries. Vehicles owners can learn more about the recalls by visiting the NHTSA’s website at SaferCar.gov or by contacting the customer service departments at the automakers.
A hidden defect in a vehicle may not become obvious until after an injury occurs. If you’ve been injured by a defective vehicle part, contact the experienced New York auto accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP to discuss your legal rights and options. Your initial consultation with our office is free and confidential.