66,000 Toyo Tires Recalled

Posted on January 26, 2012 by David Boyles

Toyo Tires has recalled more than 66,000 tires for a defect that could lead to tire failure. Customers who use the affected tires are advised to return them immediately to avoid the possibility of an accident.

The recall covers the P225/60R-16 Extensa A/S tires that were distributed between September 20, 2009 and November 6, 2010. The tires were manufactured in Georgia and have a "Made in the USA" label. Tires that are labeled "Made in Japan" or "Made in China" do not have the defect and are not covered by the recall.

The defect is a kink in the bead which, left unattended, could lead to tire failure, especially if the tire is underinflated or during spirited driving. Sudden tire failure can easily lead to a severe car accident, so it is recommended that owners of the affected tires get them replaced immediately.

The recall will begin on February 2, but owners of the affected tires can contact Toyo at (800) 442-8696.

 
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Ford Company Recalls Over 100,000 Vehicles Due to Severe Fault

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Jessica Navarro

The Ford Motor Company has recalled just over 128,000 of its Mercury Milan vehicles and its Ford Fusion vehicles because of concern over a defect in the vehicle that could cause the wheels to fall off of the vehicles while they are in motion. The NHTSA stated that the model years for some of the vehicles are 2010 and 2011 models. The defect affects the studs on the wheels which could fracture and cause the car to start shaking. If the driver chooses to ignore the shaking, the wheels could possibly fall off the car while it is moving.

The recall primarily affects the steel wheels and not the alloy wheels installed in the 2010 and 2011 cares built between April 2009 and December 2009 to November 2010. The problem in the wheel could be caused either by poor construction in the mounting pads or the disc brake system. There is no report of any injuries or fatalities linked to accidents potentially related to these faulty tires.

A majority of car recalls are often announced for faults in vehicles that do not pose an immediate threat to drivers on roadways. However, this recall is very different because there is a possibility for extremely serious accidents resulting from the defects in these Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles. The fact that the wheels could come off the vehicles while the car is in motion would place the driver in very serious danger, especially if the driver is moving at high speeds. Fortunately there have not been any reports of injuries despite at least 6 cases related to the wheels falling off of the vehicle.

In one case the front wheel fell off the car while the rear wheel fell off the vehicles in the other 5 cases associated with this defect. The recall will be taking effect beginning in January. It is important to note that the company has made the effort to announce the recall as opposed to attempting to hide it from consumers, which not only could have placed those consumers in serious danger but brought legal action against the company if any accidents had occurred. If that had been the case, the victims affected by this type of accident would be able to speak with an attorney to get compensation for their suffering and damages.
 
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Ford Motor Company Penalized $73 Million in Court Case

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Jessica Navarro

In a recent court settlement, the plaintiff in a 2006 lawsuit was awarded $73 million following a lawsuit against Ford Motor Company. The plaintiff sued the company claiming they were negligent for an automobile accident that killed two members of a Presbyterian church and injured two others. Accident reports said the van the church members were driving began wobbling. The accident report showed the tire tread came apart from the tire that was installed by Ford Motor Company, a tire that was reported defective by tire maker Goodyear.

The van overcorrected and tumbled multiple times, ultimately killing the driver and front passenger. The lawsuit claimed that Ford did not notify dealers about a tire replacement notification they had received from Goodyear, which included the tires in question in this incident. The court settlement included $50,000 in punitive damages for the victims and their families.

In recent years there have been several incidents similar to this one including a very well-known case involving a recall by Chevrolet. In this recall, several million vehicles were recalled for various defects that resulted in very serious automobile accidents causing the death of many people. Although the incident in this involving Ford was only a single incident compared to several involving Chevrolet, there is always a possibility for things to get much worse. When the safety of consumers is at stake, there should be no question whether or not a company should take the proper measures to notify dealers and other parts providers about recalls or replacement programs set in place to remove defective parts from vehicles.

This incident could easily have been avoided if the 2002 notice that Ford had received regarding the replacement tires had not gone ignored. As a result of the company’s negligence, two people lost their lives and two others have been seriously injured in an automobile accident that should never have taken place. You should always be sure to check with the dealer where you purchased your car to ensure whether the vehicle is completely safe and there are no defective parts. If you or somebody you know is injured as a result of defective parts in a vehicle, an attorney can provide assistance in getting compensation for any injuries or damages associated with an automobile accident.
 
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