Two Major Carmakers Recall Vehicles Due to Several Issues
The automakers Honda and Subaru have been forced to recall 311,000 Honda SUV’s and 500,000 Subaru vehicles because of issues with the seatbelts. The front seatbelts in the Honda Pilot vehicle may not function properly and they may not restrain the driver. It is possible for the seatbelts to disconnect from the seats, potentially causing serious injury for the driver.
In two separate recalls, Subaru has recalled 195,000 Subaru Legacy and Outback models manufactured between 2010 and 2011 and 295,000 Impreza, Saab, and Forester vehicles from different manufacture years. The two recalls were announced after a defect in the Legacy and Outback’s wiper motor caused the motor to overheat. In the second recall, the affected vehicles may be difficult to control because of a corroded front control arm. No accidents or injuries were reported in connection with any of the recalls from either company.
Each of these affected vehicles could potentially cause injuries to drivers for slightly different reasons. In the Honda vehicles, the seatbelt disconnecting from the vehicle presents a serious danger to drivers in the event of an accident. It could mimic the results of an accident involving a person not wearing a seatbelt at all. In these types of accidents, the drivers could be ejected from the vehicle. If the seatbelt becomes disconnected from the vehicles, the driver could be ejected from the vehicle similarly to drivers who do not wear seatbelts.
In the affected Subaru vehicles, the drivers affected could be put in harm’s way for different reasons. In the vehicles where the wiper motor could overheat, although it does not present immediate danger, it could pose a threat in the long run. The motor could overheat causing the wiper to stop functioning altogether. If this happens at a time when there is a lot of rain, it could obstruct their view and result in a potentially serious automobile accident. In the vehicles with the control arm defect, drivers could easily lose complete control of their vehicle and cause an accident with serious injuries. There have been some complaints from drivers regarding this issue but no injuries or accidents have occurred. However, the possibility of an accident should not be discounted.
I did not know Honda vehicles were being recalled for potential injuries caused to drivers. It does not sound as if the seatbelts are any good at all in an accident.