“In 2009, approximately 30,000 lives were lost on our Nation’s
highways. Although 30,000 reflect a 28% decrease in traffic fatalities
since 2006, much can still be done to address this issue,” according
to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Enacted in 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which
was recodified under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301, gives the NHTSA the power
to issue vehicle safety standards. It also allows the NHTSA to require
that automotive manufacturers recall vehicles with safety-related defects
that fail to meet federal standards.
Since the Act went into effect more than 50 years ago, the following has
occurred:
- More than 390 million vehicles, motorcycles, busses, mopeds and recreational
vehicles have been recalled to correct their safety defects.
- Over 46 million tires have been recalled.
- Over 42 million car seats have been recalled.
(Source:
NHTSA)
Who Initiates the Safety Recalls?
Many safety recalls are voluntarily initiated by automobile manufacturers,
while others are ordered by the NHTSA through court actions, or through
the NHTSA after receiving consumer complaints.
If a manufacturer discovers a safety defect, it must notify the NHTSA,
and it must notify all consumers driving the defective vehicles, as well
as dealers, distributors, and equipment manufacturers. From there, the
manufacturer is required by law to correct the defect at no charge to
the consumer.
To find out if your vehicle is subject to a NHTSA safety recall,
click here.
Vehicle defects and safety recalls are nothing to laugh at. Some defects
can cause cars to spontaneously catch fire. Some defects can cause the
driver to lose control of the steering, while others can cause a stuck
acceleration pedal. To learn more, we recommend reading the article,
“10 Most Terrifying Vehicle Manufacturing Defects” by auto.howstuffworks.com.
Were you harmed by a defective car, truck, van, or SUV? If so,
contact our firm to speak with a Suffolk County
personal injury lawyer.