Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Toyota has announced another recall to its luxury brand, Lexus. Model year 2010 Lexus HS250h sedans are the only vehicles named in the recall.

Tests by the National Highway Safety Administration have shown that at a rear crash at 50 mph or greater can cause fuel to leak from the vehicle. Leaking fuel at the site of an accident can ignite and lead to an intense fuel-fed fire or an explosion. Fuel-fed fires are extremely dangerous and can injure the parties involved in the crash and innocent bystanders.

17,000 vehicles were named in the recall and Toyota has demanded that all dealers stop selling the defective vehicle. There is no known yet remedy for the recall.

Related Sources:
Toyota Recalls Lexus Hybrid Over Fuel Spills

General Motors has recalled 1.5 million vehicles due to a defect that could cause a fire.

The defect lies with the heated windshield wiper fluid system that is present in model year 2006 to 2009 pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossovers and passenger car models. A short circuit can cause the system to malfunction and ultimately start a fire.

A previous recall was issued in 2008 but with several reports of fires surfacing the company decided to recall all vehicles with the heated windshield wiper fluid module. The module will be removed from the vehicle to prevent any further complications.

Recalled Vehicles:
2006-2009 Model Year Buick Lucerne
2006-2009 Model Year Cadillac DTS
2006-2009 Model Year Hummer H2
2006-2009 Model Year Buick Enclave
2006-2009 Model Year Cadillac CTS
2007-2009 Model Year Cadillac Escalade
2007-2009 Model Year Cadillac Escalade ESV
2007-2009 Model Year Cadillac Escalade EXT
2007-2009 Model Year Chevrolet Avalanche
2007-2009 Model Year Silverado
2007-2009 Model Year Suburban
2007-2009 Model Year Tahoe
2007-2009 Model Year GMC Acadia
2007-2009 Model Year GMC Sierra
2007-2009 Model Year GMC Yukon
2007-2009 Model Year GMC Yukon XL
2007-2009Model Year Saturn Outlook
2009 Model Year Chevrolet Traverse

Related Sources:
GM Recalling 1.5 Million Vehicles Over Fire Risk

Years before the investigation by congress and the record fine imposed on the automaker due to the massive recall in 2010, Toyota hid a defect from the public. Toyota announced a recall in 2005 to repair defective steering rods but documents have surfaced that show Toyota hid the potentially dangerous defect from the public for over a decade.

Documents uncovered have shown that for 11 years in Japan and 12 years in the United States Toyota was fixing cracked and broken steering rods in SUVs and pickup trucks. The steering rod delay connects the front wheels to the steering system of the automobile. A break will render the driver unable to steer the vehicle.

By law an automaker has five business days to report a known safety defect to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Toyota failed to notify NHTSA for over a decade and assured the agency that no recall was required in the United States after the recall was issued in Japan in 2004. The recall in the United States did not come for another year and covered close to one million 1989-1995 Toyota 4Runners, 1989-1995 compact pickups, and 1993-1998 T100s.

Related Sources:
Toyota fixed steering rods for over a decade before recall

Chrysler has announced three separate recalls that involves close to 600,000 vehicles.
The first recall involves over 25,000 model year Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber vehicles. The vehicles have been recalled due to a "sticky accelerator pedal." This recall is similar to the massive Toyota recalls and could cause the driver of the defective vehicle to suddenly and uncontrollably accelerate.

The second recall involves 285,000 model year 2008 and 2009 Chrysler Town and Country minivans and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans. A problem with the electrical wiring on the sliding door could cause it to short circuit and start a fire.

The third recall involves 290,000 model year 2007 through 2010 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. The Jeeps are being recalled due to a leak in the brake fluid that could cause the brakes of the vehicles to lose power.

Chrysler has notified all owners of the defective vehicles and agreed to fix the defects free of charge.

Related Sources:
Chrysler recalls nearly 600,000 vehicles
2007 Dodge Caliber also sticky pedal issue with part from CTS

Child safety seats are designed to keep children safe in the event of a crash or collision. Unfortunately, there are problems with the design and testing of the seats that can cause serious and unnecessary injuries to children. The restraints are tested for safety by the manufacturers and not by any outside agency. The lack of outside testing causes the manufacturers to miss potential safety defects found with the restraint.

By law the manufacturer of any defective child safety seat must notify registered owners of the recall. Unfortunately, not all consumers register their child safety seat and The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding all parents and caregivers to register their seat with the manufacturer and notify the company of any address change.

To register your child restraint you will need to provide the following information:
• Your Name
• Your current mailing address
• Manufacturer's Name
• Model Number
• Model Name
• Date of Manufacture

Related Sources:
Register your Child Restraint