A vehicle defect refers to a flaw in the car’s design, manufacturing, or components that makes it unsafe to drive. Unlike wear-and-tear issues caused by years of use or accidents caused by driver error, vehicle defects are problems that exist due to mistakes during design, production, or marketing. In other words, defects are typically the results of manufacturer or automaker negligence. Overall, defects can occur in many different ways, and essentially any vehicle part can be defective due to manufacturer negligence or disregard for safety. What are some of the most common types of vehicle defects, and should you be worried about them?
Brake Failures
Brake defects like defective brake pads, malfunctioning hydraulics, or poor design can be extremely dangerous. Improperly functioning brakes can increase stopping distance, reduce brake response time, or result in total brake failure, all of which greatly elevates the risk of collisions, particularly rear-end crashes.
The 2009-2011 Toyota recall involved millions of vehicles with defective brakes and sudden unintended acceleration, which is believed to have caused more than 30 accidents worldwide, including at least one fatal accident.
Tire Blowouts
Tires are your vehicle's direct point of contact with the road, so any defect can have terrible consequences. Blowouts tend to occur due to weak sidewalls or defective materials used during the manufacturing process. A blown-out tire can cause a driver to lose control, veer off the road, or collide with another car.
Steering & Suspension Problems
Issues with steering or suspension can make it difficult, if not impossible, to maintain proper control of your vehicle. Defective steering systems may result in vehicles pulling sharply to one side, or even cause the vehicle to rock up and down violently on uneven pavement. Faulty suspension can amplify the risks of rollovers or loss of stability, too.
Airbag Malfunctions
Airbags are designed to save lives, yet a defective airbag can cause harm instead. Malfunctions might include non-deployment during crashes, sudden deployment without warning, or defective inflators that rupture violently.
The Takata airbag recall remains one of the largest vehicle recalls in history, with over 67 million airbags recalled due to defective inflators that could explode and propel shrapnel into the vehicle. Multiple deaths were reported before the recall was fully initiated.
Lighting Failures
Functional headlights, taillights, and turn signals are essential for visibility and communication with other drivers on the road. If a vehicle’s lights fail—whether from poor wiring or manufacturing flaws—it increases the chances of accidents, especially during nighttime or in bad weather conditions.
Defective Electrical Systems
Modern vehicles rely heavily on electronics, from power steering to engine control software. Faulty wiring or software glitches can lead to engine stalls, loss of power steering, or even fires. Such issues are not only dangerous but also very hard for a motorist to detect ahead of time due to the subtle and sudden nature of electrical system defects.
Are Automakers Responsible for Vehicle Defects?
Automakers have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their vehicles, just as any product maker has. When they fail to produce a safe vehicle, they can be held liable for accidents caused by their defective products due to strict product liability laws that apply in most situations.
When an automaker becomes aware of an unsafe vehicle defect, it must issue a vehicle recall, even if that recall would take thousands or millions of its products off the road. An automaker’s negligence is arguably worsened if it sells an unsafe vehicle and then fails to take proper steps to recall it once the dangers of the vehicle are known.
How You Can Stay Proactive About Vehicle Safety
You might be able to reduce the risks of vehicle defects and stay safer by:
- Scheduling regular maintenance: Schedule routine inspections to catch problems early. Have your brakes, tires, and electrical systems checked regularly. Check with your auto dealership to see if your vehicle is under a warranty that covers routine maintenance.
- Stay updated on recalls: Automakers should issue recalls for safety-related defects through notices. If you are notified of a recall, act quickly to check if your model is affected.
- Check safety ratings: Before buying a new vehicle, research its safety history and durability ratings, as well as the safety reputation of the brand.
- Watch for warnings: Advanced features like tire-pressure monitoring systems and brake-warning sensors can help you detect problems before they become serious. If your vehicle’s dashboard has a warning light on, don’t ignore it.
Can You Sue for a Vehicle Defect-Related Accident?
If a vehicle defect causes an accident, you have the right to explore your legal options in pursuit of compensation. As mentioned, strict product liability laws generally make automakers automatically liable for any harm caused to consumers due to an unsafe problem with their vehicles, but the details of actually pursuing a claim can be much more complicated than you might expect. To begin a claim against a vehicle manufacturer for a defect, you should first reach out to an attorney.
Hilliard Law in Texas has the experience, resources, and talented attorneys required to bring an injury claim or lawsuit against any defendant, including automakers with nationwide reputations. If you were hurt due to a vehicle defect, we want to hear from you. Click here to schedule a FREE consultation or call (866) 927-3420 at any time.