Although we are only into the third month of a new year, there are already product recalls that you need to know about. The list includes multiple recalls from carmakers, as well as recalls that specifically apply to parents and homeowners.
Nissan, Fiat Chrysler, Mazda and Honda All Have New Recalls
Automakers invest a lot of money in advertising to convince consumers that they have the safest vehicles on the road. While auto safety has come a long way over the last two decades, it does not change the fact that automakers are still making serious mistakes which can cause vehicles to be quite dangerous despite the presence of so much safety technology.
The first automaker on the list of new 2016 recalls is Nissan. The company has recalled 846,000 of its Altima cars in the United States. The reason for this recall of 2013 to 2015 Altimas is that there is a latch problem that can make it possible for the hood to fly open while someone is driving. Although the company has had two previous recalls for this problem, the reason Nissan issued a new recall is the previous approach to fixing the latch was not 100% effective.
The second car company to issue a recall in 2016 is Fiat Chrysler. Their automotive recall is for more than 500,000 Dodge Chargers across the globe. The company found that models produced between 2011 and 2016 can slip off of a jack when tires are being changed as a result of the body beneath the doors getting deformed. The third recall of the year comes from Mazda. According to the company, close to 237,000 CX-5 SUVs from 2014 and 2015 have the potential for the fuel filler pipe to rupture in a rear crash and cause a gas leak and possible fire.
The last auto recall to kick off 2016 is from Honda. The company issued a recall for 45,000 of the latest Civic compact cars it sold in the United States and Canada. The problem that led to this recall is the engines in the new Civics can fail and cause the car to stall while it is being driven.
New Recalls for Strollers, Food Storage Cubes and Shower Rugs
A recall was issued for Britax B-Ready strollers and B-Ready replacement top seats. This applies to any purchases of either item between April 2010 and January 2016. The reason for this recall is the foam padding from the arm bar can pose a choking hazard if a child bites it.
The next recall is for two and four ounce glass food storage cubes sold in sets of four at BuyBuyBABY, Whole Foods and online. The containers can break and cause injury. The other home recall is for Aqua Rugs. Although these rugs have four plastic suction cups designed to prevent slipping, the cups are not always effective at protecting against falls, which is why this product is being recalled.
What is the Legal Recourse for Defective Products?
While this may seem like a lot of recalls to come out in a short amount of time, they are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the total number of recalls that will most likely be issued throughout 2016. What is alarming is that many of these products can cause very serious injuries.
Do individuals who are harmed as a result of a defective product have any legal recourse? In many cases, yes. Manufacturers that produce a defective product can be held liable under the legal principle referred to as “strict liability.” This means that if a manufacturer produces a product that is defective- that manufacturer is 100% responsible for any injuries associated with the defect. However, determining all of the parties that may be responsible for the particular defect that caused the injury may be complex and it is important to contact a product liability lawyer to discuss your potential case.
