Texas Motor Vehicle Recalls

How to find out if your vehicle has been recalled

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) keeps record of all automobiles that have been recalled by the manufacturer.

1. Visit this page on SaferCar.gov.
2. Enter your car’s VIN (vehicle identification number) which can be found on the inside of the driver’s side door or on the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield.
3. Type in the Captcha text and hit submit.

Car Recalls Cause Deadly Auto Accidents in Texas

Millions of motor vehicles are recalled every year for defects, some of which are extremely dangerous and pose a risk of serious injury or death. Auto recalls can be extensive, affecting vehicle models for several years. One of the most recent extensive vehicle recall involved ignition switch defects in vehicles made by General Motors.

GM has come under Congressional scrutiny for failing to report serious problems with ignition switches that could turn off, causing a loss of power and subsequent loss of power steering and power brakes.

Other recent defect investigations involve many auto manufacturers and companies producing components for vehicles that have been found to pose a risk of injury or death due to defects, including:

• Tires
• Air Bags
• Seat Belts
• Braking Systems
• Ignition Switches
• Latches

• Fuel System
• Electrical System
• Power Train
• Steering
• Suspension
• Other Components or Parts

Avoid Buying a Vehicle with a Recall

If you’re in the market for a used car, you could be at risk of purchasing a car that has a pending recall that hasn’t been fixed. Earlier this year we saw the largest-ever U.S. auto recall after millions of Takata Airbags were found to be possibly defective. Even with recall announcements, every year 25 percent of recalls still go unfixed. If you’re shopping around for a used car, there are ways to protect yourself from unknowingly purchasing a car that has been recalled.

With the recent Takata recall, legislators have begun to take action in identifying who is responsible for making sure that work is done, but until the Federal Trade Commission takes action, it remains the customer’s responsibility to check and repair any recalls. According to Consumer Reports, it is against federal law for a dealership to sell a new car if a pending recall has not been performed, but there is no protection for used cars. Although some manufacturer-backed certified pre-owned programs include performing any recalls as part of the certification process, but it is up to the buyer to verify that the work has been performed.

Before purchasing a vehicle, ask the dealership or private party for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can check for recalls using CarFax’s recall check, or using the government’s VIN look-up tool. You can also check the manufacturer’s website to see up-to-date recall information. A recall doesn’t make a used car a lemon, it is just a problem with the vehicle that has been identified and that can be fixed. If a recall shows up for the car, call a local dealer that services that make and model to find out what a repair will entail. You can also use the information about the recall to try to get the seller to come down on the price.

Checking for recalls should be part of your pre-purchase checklist. If you are purchasing from a private party and the owner has ignored a recall for more than six months, it is a sign that the vehicle has not been maintained and may have other mechanical problems. Always be sure to test drive the car, check the repair history, have it inspected by a mechanic and research pricing before purchasing a used one.

Visit Consumer Reports for more information about avoiding purchasing used cars with a recall notice.

Important Facts You Need to Know About Vehicle Recalls

As vehicular safety has become an ever more pressing concern in recent decades, it seems as though vehicle recalls have only grown in their number and frequency. In fact, 1966 was the last year on record in which the number of vehicles affected by recalls amounted to fewer than a million. Since the 982,823 vehicles affected by the 58 recalls that year, the number of cars and trucks impacted by manufacturer recalls has been in excess of one million annually.

Just two years ago, the nation established a new record with 803 separate recalls issued – recall orders that impacted a total of 63.9 million cars and trucks. The lion’s share of those recalled vehicles was the result of manufacturer requests, but it is important to note that the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration played a role in 2014 too. The agency’s routine monitoring and investigations resulted in 123 separate recall requests that year, affecting 19.1 million vehicles.

Why Recalls Occur

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act grants the NHTSA vast authority in the area of vehicle safety standards and gives the agency the power to compel manufacturers to recall all vehicles that fail to meet those minimum safety guidelines. Through a combination of manufacturer-initiated recalls and the NHTSA’s exercise of its compulsory recall authority, more than 390 million vehicles have been recalled in the last five decades. Those recalls have all been initiated in response to one of two main concerns:

• Recalls can be necessary whenever vehicles or their parts fail to meet the required safety standards; or
• When defects are discovered that relate directly to the safety of the vehicle. Safety defects are defined as problems that directly impact a vehicle’s safety, and that usually exist in vehicles of similar manufacturing design.

Over the last fifty years, a wide variety of such safety violations and defects have been discovered in various makes and models of the nation’s fleet of vehicles. Those problems have included everything from defective and substandard steering equipment to defective brakes and accelerators, wiring problems, defective airbags, and tire issues. These and many other problems can result in mandatory recall orders that manufacturers are obliged to obey.

Who Orders Recalls?

When safety recalls are ordered, they typically come about one of two ways:

• The manufacturer can order a recall based on its own independent findings. This often comes about as a result of a number of reported consumer problems that the manufacturer then identifies as being systemic to the vehicle. Sometimes it is a minor design flaw; other times vehicle makers discover that faulty equipment or defective materials were used during the manufacturing process.
• The second option is when the NHTSA orders a recall based on its own investigation of a vehicle type. This too often occurs as the result of investigations related to reports filed by consumers. At times, manufacturers balk at certain orders – leaving the agency with little choice other than to seek a court order to compel the recall.

How Recalls Are Conducted

When recalls are needed, manufacturers are responsible for notifying vehicle owners. Since both vehicles and equipment can be an issue in a recall, there are several different ways in which manufacturers can follow through on their obligations. With cars, trucks, and other recalled vehicles, the manufacturing companies typically conduct a merge of their own sales records with the state’s registration records to obtain current addresses for mailing purposes. Equipment recalls require a different approach that involves notifying distributors and buyers.

Who Pays for The Repairs

For consumers, a recall notice can sometimes be a cause for anxiety. Many often worry that they will suddenly be confronted with expensive repair costs, and they may respond by simply ignoring the notice. In cases where a person has purchased a second-hand car or truck, that buyer may wonder whether he’s entitled to free repairs during a recall. The good news is that you should never have to pay for the manufacturer’s mistakes. In fact, you are not even required to take the vehicle back to the dealership where you first purchased it, since every dealer that sells that vehicle brand must perform recall repairs at no charge to you.

And that free recall repair extends to every owner of the vehicle. So, even if you’re the sixth person to own that vehicle when the recall is announced, you are just as entitled as the original owner to receive that free repair. Moreover, if you noticed the problem within the year prior to the recall and had it repaired at a franchised dealer, the manufacturer has to reimburse you for those repairs as long as you can provide receipts.

How You Should React

First of all, if you receive a recall notice do not ignore it. According to the NHTSA, an average of 25% of all vehicles recalled each year never report for servicing. Now, not all of that is due to consumers ignoring recalls, of course. In some instances, recalls are issued to an owner who has recently sold the vehicle to another buyer, and that second owner simply never receives notice of the problem. Even so, that is merely the reason why a consumer might not respond to a recall notification; it does not excuse the consumer’s failure to do due diligence.

     

The NHTSA recommends that consumers check for recalls on their vehicles a minimum of two times each year. To better facilitate those searches, the agency provides a website search tool that can tell you whether your vehicle has been subject to a recall any time within the last 15 years. All you need to do is enter your car or truck’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to learn about any potential problems.

The important thing to remember is that recalls are issued due to identified safety concerns. Because of that fact, it is imperative that you contact a franchised dealership that sells your vehicle brand as soon as you learn of a problem. The repairs are free, the process is simple, and you and your family will all sleep better at night knowing that the problem has been resolved.

Why You Should Send Your Vehicle for Servicing Immediately When it’s Recalled

Vehicle recalls happen all the time for various reasons and they can be really frustrating at times.  These recalls can be initiated for many reasons, anything from faulty windshield wipers to security breaches can result in your vehicle being recalled for service.

What most people don’t understand, however, is the urgency that these recalls bear. It is not uncommon to have many vehicle owners waiting until their next servicing date to fix the issues that caused the vehicle recall in the first place. Worst still, approximately 30% of vehicle owners involved in recalls refuse to even get the flaws fixed. These factors are all that can eventually cause you to lose your life in certain cases.

Owners that are affected by a vehicle recall choose to ignore them or put them on hold for a plethora of reasons. Most commonly, these people refuse to have their vehicles sent for repairs simply because they underestimate the danger of the defects in their vehicles. Many people underestimate the importance and necessity of sending their vehicles for servicing when they receive a recall letter. Granted, many a time, these vehicle recalls happen for the most trivial reasons, including faulty windscreen wipers. A large majority of vehicles tend to toss the recall letters aside, forgetting all about them and failing to realize the dangers that vehicles with faulty parts pose to them and their families.

Now, you may ask, what threat can a manufacturing flaw in my vehicle possible pose to me? Let us take a look at some prominent examples where defective parts led to major vehicular accidents that took away the lives of many.

Takata Air Bags

Takata, an auto parts manufacturer for various Japanese car brands, once issued a recall for about 19 million vehicles of various makes and models due to a manufacturing defect which caused the airbag installed in the vehicles to explode.

General Motors Ignition Switches

Another example in which deaths have occurred as a result of the failure to repair recalled vehicles would be the 2014 recall of around 29 million General Motors cars. These cars that were recalled had faulty ignition switches and power steering which caused airbags to fail to deploy. 124 deaths were caused by the faults of these vehicles that were not repaired despite being recalled.

Don’t Ignore a Vehicle Recall Notice

Clearly, from the case studies that we have just examined, the damage that can arise from failing to repair a recalled vehicle is truly devastating. As such, servicing your vehicle immediately should you ever receive a recall letter would definitely be the best course of action that you can take to ensure your own safety and the safety of those around you. If you’ve been injured due to a vehicle manufacturing defect, seek legal help.

Recent Recalls in the United States

The safety and protection of the consumer should be of paramount importance to any manufacturer, and the government. That’s why the law mandates manufacturers or the government to protect the general public from products that are likely to cause health and safety problems. The Consumer Product and Safety Commission is charged with ensuring the safety of American consumers. Sometimes, manufacturers may recall a particular product and ask consumers to return them for replacement or repair, other times the government may ban the sale of the item.

Here is a list of recent product recalls across the country:

1. Yvolve Electric Skateboard: On October 24th, about 10,000 units of this skateboard were recalled due to a defect in the tires that may cause them to deflate and pose a fall hazard to the user. Consumers are to receive a new permanent warning label and revised instructions on how to inflate the tires properly.
2. Cub Cadet Utility Vehicles: Cub Cadet also recalled about 350 units of their Utility vehicles on October 24th because it was reported that the fuel tank’s neck could crack and cause fuel to leak which may pose a fire hazard. Consumers were instructed to contact customer service representatives or authorized dealers for a free repair. The same defect with the fuel tank was also discovered with the Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Riding Mowers, causing over 4900 units to be recalled. Free repairs were also provided for customers with the defective mowers when they contact customer service reps or authorized dealers.
3. Huish Buoyancy Control Devices: Huish Outdoors recalled about 2600 units of their Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs) commonly used by scuba divers. Buttons on the Zeagle Sports BCD Inflators were prone to breakage or fracture, which could cause rapid air loss or inflation of the BCD and cause a drowning hazard to users. The recall on the 23rd of October saw the company offer free replacements for the defective devices.
4. Brookstone Wireless Speakers: Brookstone had to recall over 164,000 units of their Wireless Speakers on October 19, due to their defective lithium-ion batteries that could overheat and catch fire. Consumers were advised to stop using the speakers and properly dispose of the lithium-ion battery packs. However, shortly after this, the company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection and very little information was offered about refunds.
5. Vista Railings Aluminum Posts: Vista Railings Systems also initiated a recall of almost 4500 units of their ProBuilt Aluminum Posts on October 18. This was because it was found out that the posts could separate from their base and cause a fall hazard, customers were instructed to cease using them and contact the company for replacement screws.
6. Kikkerland Wireless Chargers: Kikkerland issued a recall for 3600 units of their wireless charger bedside pockets on October 18, because of its high potential to overheat and pose burn and fire hazards. Kikkerland instructed consumers to cease from using the recalled products and contact the company for full refunds.

You can also see if your vehicle is listed here as a model included in the recalls announced on May 27:

Honda:

• Certain 2003-06 Acura MDX
• 2005-11 Acura RL
• 2009-11 Acura TSX
• 2010-11 Acura ZDX
• 2008-11 Honda Accord
• 2010-11 Honda Accord Crosstour
• 2006-11 Honda Civic
• 2005-11 Honda CR-V
• 2003-11 Honda Element
• 2010-11 Honda FCX Clarity
• 2007-11 Honda Fit
• 2010-11 Honda Insight
• 2002-04 Honda Odyssey
• 2003-11 Honda Pilot
• 2006-11 Honda Ridgeline
• certain 2006-10 Honda Gold Wing motorcycles

Fiat Chrysler:

• Certain 2007-09 Chrysler Aspen SUVs
• 2005-12 Chrysler 300
• 2008-12 Dodge Challenger
• 2006-12 Dodge Charger
• 2005-11 Dodge Dakota pickups
• 2004-09 Dodge Durango SUVs
• 2005-08 Dodge Magnum wagons
• 2004-08 Ram 1500 pickups
• 2005-09 Ram 2500 pickups
• 2006-09 Ram 3500 pickups
• 2007-10 Ram/Ram 3500 cab chassis
• 2008-10 Ram/Ram 4500/5500 cab chassis
• 2007-12 Jeep Wrangler SUVs
• 2006-09 Mitsubishi Raider pickups
• 2008-09 Sterling/Bullet 4500/5500 cab chassis.

Toyota:

• Certain 2008-11 Scion xB and Lexus IS F
• 2009-11 Toyota Corolla and Matrix
• 2006-11 Toyota Yaris Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350
• 2010-11 Toyota 4Runner
• Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C, and Lexus GX460
• 2011 Sienna
• 2007-11 Lexus ES350
• 2009-10 Pontiac Vibes designed for General Motors by Toyota.

Mazda:

• Certain 2009-11 Mazda6
• 2007-11 CX-7 and CX-9
• 2004-11 RX-8, 2004-06 MPV
• 2003-08 Mazda6
• 2006-07 Mazdaspeed6

Subaru:

• Certain 2003-04 Legacy and Outback
• 2006 Saab 9-2x made by Subaru
• 2003-06 Baja pickups
• certain 2009-11 Legacy, Outback and Forester
• 2006-11 Impreza and Tribeca.

Nissan:

• Certain 2005-08 Infiniti FX35 and FX45
• 2003-04 Infiniti I30 and I35
• 2006-10 Infiniti M35 and M45
• 2007-11 Nissan Versa.

Ferrari:

• Certain 2009-11 Ferrari California
• 2010-11 458 Italia.

Mitsubishi:

• Certain 2006-07 Lancer and Lancer Evolution cars.

FCA Recalling 27,520 Dodge Darts

Fiat Chrysler has recalled 27,520 Dodge Dart sedans worldwide because the small cars’ transmissions can unexpectedly shift into neutral.

The recall affects Dodge Dart 2013-2015 model years with dual dry-clutch transmissions. FCA is recalling 23,688 Darts in the U.S., 3,376 in Canada, five in Mexico and 451 that were sold outside North America.

The company is not aware of any accidents or injuries caused by the defect but is taking precautions.

FCA says a mounting bracket can disrupt a circuit board in the transmission control module causing the vehicle to shift into neutral. This could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. The engine stays on and the airbags and other safety features aren’t affected.

The dashboard warning light may illuminate if the problem is present.

FCA will notify customers, and dealers will replace the transmission control module and bracket for free.

GM Recalls SUVs because of Windshield Wipers

General Motors has announced a new recall on nearly 32,000 of their 2016 SUVs. The company has requested that owners of these vehicles do not use their windshield wipers because of an electrical short that could cause the wiper motor to burst into flames.

While no fires have happened outside of the GM plant, the problem was discovered when a wiper motor overheated inside the Michigan factory where SUVs are made. GM investigated five days after the incident through their “Speak up for Safety” program.

The recall includes the following models: Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia SUVs.

6,400 vehicles are sold and the rest are being held at dealerships until they can be repaired.

GM has offered to pick up the vehicles from owners for service. They will also arrange rental cars if parts are not available.

Dealers will replace faulty wiper motor covers that allow some electrical terminals to come in contact with each other. Parts are being shipped and will be used first to fix customer vehicles and those that have been sold.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 800-462-8782.

Federal law (Title 49, Chapter 301) defines motor vehicle safety as,

“The performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in a way that protects the public against unreasonable risk of accident occurring because of the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle, and against unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident, and includes nonoperation safety of a motor vehicle.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk in vehicles.

In December 2014, the NHTSA issued a recall of Graco car seats, the largest child seat recall in U.S. history. The defect involves buckles that stick or can become stuck in the latched position, potentially putting a child at extreme risk in an emergency situation.

Automakers are fined when they fail to timely report a defect. These fines may punish the manufacturer, but how does an injured individual get justice?

A critical first step is to connect with a seasoned auto product liability attorney for a case review and evaluation. The losses you suffered are individual to you and could include loss of life, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Our Texas Auto Recall Lawyers Help Injured Texans

Nearly Half Of Recalled GM Vehicles Remain Unrepaired

Although it has been almost nine months since General Motors issued its first recall on 2.6 million vehicles equipped with a defective ignition switch, The New York Times reports nearly half of all recalled GM vehicles have yet to be repaired.

The article goes on to state that one of the main problems with getting the recall repairs completed is many dealers are not adequately equipped to handle the sheer volume of recalled vehicles in their areas. Even if they could, GM has not had the necessary replacement parts on hand to allow them to make the repairs. This has left many drivers at risk of sustaining serious injury or death.

Since the recall, at least one accident claiming the life of a young woman was allegedly caused as a result of an unrepaired GM vehicle. Relatives of the young woman state dealers continually turned her away despite multiple attempts to get her vehicle fixed.

Out of concern for their own safety, and the safety of others, many customers have begun to write to federal regulators inquiring about the serious delay in completing the recall repairs. According to USA Today, at least 24 deaths are conclusively linked to the defective GM ignition switch, with more than 100 investigations of GM ignition switch fatalities still pending. Close to 1,000 people have submitted requests to receive compensation for injuries they claim were caused as a result of the faulty ignition switch. Vehicles owners are worried and rightfully so.

GM Recalls 500,000 Camaros, Ignition Switch Blamed

Today GM announced the recall of Camaro models from the last four years. Drivers may bump the ignition switch with their knee, knocking the key to the “off” position and causing the vehicle to lose power. The key is contained in a fob, which hides the key. Drivers release the key by pressing a button, which may be inadvertently bumped while driving.

Continuing Problems for GM

While this sounds similar to other recall woes that GM has faced this year, GM safety spokesman Alan Adler said that it is unrelated to issues with older Chevrolet Cobalt cars. Unlike the defects in those cars, the Camaro switches met GM’s specifications.

The defect has been blamed for three crashes so far, resulting only in minor injuries. Adler did not know the details of the crashes but said that airbags had not deployed in any of them. The U.S. National Highway Safety Administration, the government body which oversees recalls, has logged several complaints from consumers about incidents involving ignition shut-offs in the Camaro.

New Recall Process at GM

GM’s actions come in the wake of an internal probe which revealed a lack of initiative and incompetence when recalling small cars such as the Cobalt. Those problems resulted in a power shut-off that would also disable the airbags. This led to a congressional inquiry into GM surrounding the 2.6 million car recall. Current CEO Mary Barra was not implicated in the investigation but did fire 15 people over the incident. It also led to the creation of the new post of vice-president of Global Safety at GM. The amount of recalls this year now surpasses 10 million.

High-Level Summary of GM Recall

• Detroit News: GM down to 1 million cars that need ignition switch fix
• GM: Ignition Recall Safety Information
• GM: 2014 Year-to-Date North American Recalls Including Exports
• GM: Ignition Compensation Claims Resolution Facility FINAL PROTOCOL
• GM: GM Ignition Compensation Claims Resolution Facility Announces an Extension of the Claims Filing Deadline
• GM: Ignition Recall Safety Information Frequently Asked Questions

Smaller Recalls also Announced

GM also announced smaller recalls of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and the 2014 Buick LaCrosse due to other problems. The new recalls happen shortly after GM announced changes to its recall process in order to address the issues brought up by the internal probe. Jeff Boyer, vice-president for GM global safety, said the recalls represent “the new norm” for product safety at the car making giant.

Owners of the recalled cars are encouraged to bring them in to dealers. The Dealers will replace the current Camaro ignition with a different design free of charge. The new design will make the ignition and the fob independent of each other so that inadvertent touching will not result in shut-offs of the vehicle.

If You Have Been Injured in an Accident Due to a Defective Vehicle

If you have been injured in an accident involving a defective GM or any other type of vehicle we can help you. For more information or to schedule an appointment with our experienced product liability lawyers, please contact us at our Corpus Christi office at 361-792-2358 or our McAllen office at 844-426-3000.

Sources:

• //www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-13/gm-recalls-half-a-million-camaros-on-possible-power-loss.html

Potentially Deadly Brake Defect Triggers Recall of Thousands of Toyota Prius Cars

Breaking news that could have some vehicle owners weary; Toyota is recalling over 300,000 Prius cars due to a potentially deadly brake defect. The recall is for vehicles produced between August 2015 and October 2016. The brake defect causes the parking brake to fail which increases the risk that the vehicle could roll away and crash.

Toyota said Wednesday in a statement, “On the involved vehicles, there is a possibility that the parking brake could become inoperative,” “If this occurs and the driver exits the vehicle with the transmission in a gear other than ‘Park’ while the ignition is on, the vehicle could roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.”

Toyota has yet to report any incidents and drivers are able to check their vehicle’s status by going to Toyota’s recall website and entering their VIN.

Staying up to date on current news such as recalls is important and if your vehicle may be affected by the brake defect, please get your vehicle serviced immediately. If you have been involved in an accident and believe the Toyota Prius brake defect is the cause, please contact an attorney at Herrman & Herrman today for a free consultation.

• //www.digitaltrends.com/cars/toyota-prius-parking-brake-recall-340000-priuses/#ixzz4Mu1vlEPm
• //Money.cnn.com/Toyota Prius Recall
• //Reuters.com/Toyota Prius Recall

Average Time It Takes for an Automaker to Complete Recall Repairs

GM’s website on Ignition Recall Safety Information states that service correction time on this particular recall repair is estimated to be 90 minutes. In most cases, dealers will do what they can during the course of one service visit to replace the ignition switch, lock cylinder, and keys. Actual time your vehicle may need to be at the dealer will vary depending on service scheduling. When you call to schedule your repair, speak with your dealer to find out the amount of time they will need to fix your vehicle, based on their existing service hours and pending repairs.

What GM is Doing to Entice Vehicle Owners to Respond to the Recall

A spokesman for General Motors said the automaker has stepped up its efforts to entice vehicle owners to bring their recalled GM vehicles in for repair as soon as possible. Efforts by the automobile manufacturer include creating a new call center with more than 70 employees contacting owners of vehicles that are still unrepaired. USA Today also reports that GM recently sent letters to vehicle owners letting them know they can receive a $25 gift card as long as they get their recalled vehicles repaired by Jan. 1, 2015. Owners can choose a $25 gift card for Amazon, AMC, Appleby’s, Bass Pro Shops, Red Robin, Starbucks or Walmart.

If your GM vehicle is included in the list of recalled vehicles, it is important you take action to get your recall repairs completed right away.

Sources:

• New York Times: Recalled GM Cars Remain Unrepaired
• USA Today: GM Ignition-Switch Death Toll Rises to 24
• GM: Ignition Recall Safety Information
• USA Today: GM Prods Recall Holdouts With Gift Cards

Motor vehicle defect cases can be handled on an individual basis. Some injury cases related to defective motor vehicles, safety systems or parts are so extensive that they become subject to a class action. In either case, having your own product liability attorney is essential for fully protecting your rights.

Hercules SUV Tires Recalled

Hercules Tire & Rubber Company, has recalled seven sizes of Trac A/T SUV tires made between June 2008 and May 2010.

Seven months ago, Michael Cowen of The Cowen Law Group requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration run an investigation into defective Chinese-made tires distributed by the Hercules Tire & Rubber Company.

According to the recall announcement made by the company, Hercules stated that it has not found an increase in warranty adjustments for SUV tires, however, the tire model and sizes identified by Cowen were similar to tires manufactured by Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Group Co. that were recalled last October.

The tread on the tires may separate, causing a loss of air and increasing the risk of collision though it is unclear whether there have been any crashes or injuries.

Beginning August 2-15, Hercules will notify owners and dealers replace tires with a new version that has a full nylon cap, different from the current tires that have a partial nylon cap.

Owners may contact Hercules customer service at 1-888-943-2402. Hercules number for this recall is 01-2015.

Product Recall Resource Center Herrman & Herrman

Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., is proud to announce the launch of its new Product Recall Resource Center, where readers can find a wealth of information about every type of dangerous recalled consumer product. This information can help protect you and your family.

Thousands of consumer products are recalled every year due to potential risks of injury. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is responsible for ensuring that dangerous consumer products under its jurisdiction are either mandatorily or voluntarily recalled. Unfortunately, products are typically recalled after injuries are reported, and often, many consumers suffer injuries before a recall has been issued.

You can find information and statistics in our resource center about the types of dangerous products recalled by federal agencies, including:

• Motor vehicles and defective components that can cause serious injuries or death
• Dangerous drugs and medications that have severe and fatal side effects
• Medical devices for which health risks have been discovered that far outweigh any benefit of the device
• Consumer product recall categories, and statistics concerning the injuries they cause

Sadly, dangerous products are sold to the American public every year. For example, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently reported the recall of the Dream on Me 2-in-1 bassinet to cradle due to a potential hazard of an infant falling out, choking or becoming entrapped. The hazard can result from wire supports on the sides of the bassinet disconnecting and causing the fabric sides to lower. Another recent recall involved certain Blue Bell ice cream products that caused a listeria outbreak. Blue Bell has stopped production and distribution of ice cream products made at a Texas facility and has removed them from stores and any other retail outlets.

Informed consumers are better equipped to protect themselves and their families from injuries caused by dangerous products. At our Product Recall Resource Center, you can:

• Learn how to shop smartly
• Find a list of dangerous recalled medications
• Learn how to determine if you have a recalled product
• Find out what to do if you own a recalled product
• Find statistics on product injuries to babies and children
• Discover what defective motor vehicle components pose a risk of injury or death to motorists
• Learn about recent Congressional scrutiny of General Motors
• Find out what federal agency is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk in motor vehicles
• Learn how motor vehicle safety is defined under federal law
• Find out how the Food and Drug Administration regulates pharmaceutical and medical products
• Get information about how to proceed if you have been injured by a recalled product

Injuries, illness, medical complications or fatalities commonly occur before federal agencies charged with protecting the public take action.

At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., we help people who have been injured by dangerous or defective products pursue the compensation they need and deserve. Our seasoned Corpus Christi product liability attorneys have been successfully representing clients in a range of injury matters for almost two decades. Our goal is to make our injured client whole, both physically and financially. For auto defects related cases, you can reach our auto defects lawyer Corpus Christi for legal help.

At Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., our legal team is recognized for our litigation skills, and we have recovered millions in damages for our clients over the years. We have personal injury law offices in  Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston Ft. Worth and the Rio Grande Valley in order to serve people across Texas. Call us today for more information about filing a claim or lawsuit after an injury or death related to a defective auto or auto part. We stand ready to assist you immediately.

Call now for a free case evaluation.

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