Defective Product Recall: 3.3 Million Ford Vehicles
Ford announced a product recall of 3.3 million vehicles that might not shift into the correct gear, causing them to move in an unintended direction or roll away when placed in park. The National Highway Safety Administration has received six reports of property damage and four reports of injuries that might have been caused by the problem. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported due to this recall.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a defective product, contact an experienced car accident lawyer for help. The injury lawyer can discuss your legal rights and assist you in recovering a full and fair settlement for your injuries.
Recall Leads to 3.3 Million Ford Vehicles Having Defective Parts
According to a description in the regulatory filing by Ford with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the driver does not receive a warning message or audible chime that their shifter has not moved into the intended gear position. For example, the transmission may not be in the park position, even though the shifter position shows that the vehicle was shifted to park. This may cause the vehicle to roll when the driver exits, increasing the risk of injury or crash. The other risk is that the vehicle will not respond the way it should based on the gear the driver has shifted into, causing the vehicle to move in an unexpected way.
Famously, actor Anton Yelchin was killed when his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee experienced a similar problem in 2016. Yelchin’s Jeep unexpectedly rolled down his driveway and pinned him to a brick post in front of his Los Angeles home.
Ford estimates that one percent of its 3.3 million recalled vehicles have the defect but it will replace the defective shift bushing part and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing on all recalled vehicles in order to protect drivers. Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for the work. There will be no charge for this service.
The recall covers various 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles.
Product liability law
Defective and dangerous products cause thousands of injuries every year. If you were involved in a car crash caused by a defective part, contact a product liability lawyer today; he or she may be able to help you recover damages for your injury.
In successful product liability cases, a product manufacturer, distributor or seller is held liable for the injuries caused by the defective or dangerous product. Product liability laws vary by state but generally require that a product meet ordinary consumer expectations that a product be free of defects or dangers. When a product fails to meet this threshold, it could end up as part of a product liability lawsuit.
Seek the help of a car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
