Recent Recall of Vehicles: Is Your Vehicle On the List?
As drivers in Southern California, we rely on our vehicles daily to get us safely where we need to go, whether commuting to work, running errands, or taking a weekend road trip. That’s why you must stay informed about potential safety issues or recalls affecting your vehicle. In recent months, there have been several significant recalls announced by major automakers that Southern California drivers need to be aware of.
Among the most notable recent recalls involves BMW’s i4 and i5 electric sedans. In early March 2024, BMW announced a recall of a small number of these vehicles in the US market due to a potential issue with the battery modules. While only four vehicles were affected, the issue is serious, as a compromised battery in an electric vehicle could lead to dangerous malfunctions or even a fire. Southern California has one of the country’s highest rates of electric vehicle ownership, so local BMW i4 and i5 owners will want to check if their vehicle is impacted.
Another significant recall affecting many Southern California drivers is Nissan’s recall of nearly 10,000 2023 Rogue SUVs due to an issue with the seatbelt pre-tensioners. The Rogue is consistently one of the top-selling vehicles in California. This recall states that affected vehicles may have driver and passenger seatbelt pre-tensioners that were only partially crimped during manufacturing. This could prevent the seatbelts from properly restraining occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. With so many Rogue owners in Southern California, spreading awareness of this recall is important.
Several other recalls have been announced in just the past week that may impact Southern California drivers:
- Ford recalled over 18,000 of its F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks due to a parking brake issue. The remedy is still under development.
- Porsche recalled around 8,000 911 sports cars because their windows may detach due to improper bonding during manufacturing. Porsches are a common sight on Southern California roads.
- Hyundai recalled 186,000 Elantra sedans from the 2015-2016 model years because the emergency trunk release may fail, potentially trapping someone inside. The Elantra is very popular with California drivers.
- Kia recalled some of its 2020 Telluride SUVs because the halogen high-beam headlights may fail. The 3-row Telluride has been a hot seller for families.
While these recalls can be alarming, the good news is that the manufacturer plans to notify owners and provide the necessary repairs at no cost in each case. However, the onus is still on vehicle owners to be proactive in getting their recalled vehicles repaired promptly.
How To Check If Your Vehicle Is Affected?
If you own one of the affected vehicles mentioned above, contact your local dealer as soon as possible to schedule a repair. You can also enter your vehicle’s 17-digit VIN number on the NHTSA’s website to check if it has any open recalls. For other makes and models, it’s a good idea to check for recalls a couple of times a year using the VIN lookup tool, as new recalls are constantly being added.
Driving an unrepaired recalled vehicle is not only a serious safety risk to you and your passengers but could also put you at legal risk if you get into an accident, and the recall issue is determined to be a factor. If you or a loved one has been injured by what you suspect is a vehicle defect or unrepaired recall, contact an experienced San Bernardino car accident attorney to understand your rights.
The vehicle recall process can be confusing and stressful, especially when dealing with the aftermath of an accident or injury. That’s where we come in – at William D. Shapiro, Inc., our team has extensive experience handling auto defect and car accident injury cases throughout Southern California. We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve so you can move forward with your life.
Contact Our San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyers
At William D. Shapiro, Inc., our San Bernardino car accident attorneys want you to stay safe on the roads. Driving a vehicle with a recall can be dangerous and lead to serious issues and accidents. If you get into an accident because of a car defect or defective auto part, call an experienced Southern California car accident lawyer at our law firm.
With a dedicated and compassionate car accident lawyer at William D. Shapiro Law, Inc. on your side, you can rest easier after a serious auto accident. Call our law firm at (909) 890-1000 or fill out our confidential contact form to get started with a free consultation. We’ll review your case and advise you on the best path forward. Remember, you don’t have to face this alone – we’re here to be your advocate and help you get back on the road to recovery.
William Shapiro has handled catastrophic injury/wrongful death actions for over 4 decades obtaining numerous seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements. Honors include: 2022, 2016 and 2013 OCTLA “Top Gun” TLY; 2022 CAOC TLY Finalist; 2018 “Lifetime Achievement Award” Western State College of Law, 2021 & 2017 Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year; 2016 WSBCBA “TLY”; 2015 CAL-ABOTA “TLY”; 2014 “TLY” Consumer Attorneys of CAOIE; 2011 “Hall of Fame,” Western State College of Law; Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers; International Society of Barristers; Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA); National Board of Trial Advocacy; specialist in Trial Advocacy, State Bar of California; “Best Lawyers in America” and “Tier 1 Best Law Firms” U.S. News; AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell; SuperLawyers; Past President of: San Bernardino/Riverside chapter ABOTA; San Bernardino County Bar Association; Consumer Attorneys of Inland Empire; The Joseph. B. Campbell American Inn of Court; Consumer Attorneys of California; IE ; National Sec of ABOTA, Adjunct professor, Western State College of Law. Learn more here.