Chrsyler Group is recalling over 144,000 Ram and Doge vehicles in three
separate actions. The largest recall involves about 65,180 Dodge Journey
sports-utility vehicles made between November 1, 2007 and September 7,
2008. The issue of concern involves front-door wiring harnesses that may
break or wear, potentially disabling side-impact airbags. Chrysler has
told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the kind
of wire used, the way it is routed through the doors, and the cold weather
could be contributing to the risk of wire fatigue.
Chrysler’s second recall affects 56,611 Ram 1500 pickup trucks (2011
model). The vehicles’ crash risk can go up in the event that the
rear axle bearing was to seize. The automaker’s third recall impacts
22,274 Ram 5500 and 4500 pickup trucks (2008 – 2011 year models)
over a steering component that might fracture or weaken, which can cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Meantime, Ford Motor Co. is recalling 14,737 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln
MKS crossover vehicles and Ford F-Series pickup trucks. Ford says that
the body-control modules in the vehicle may be at risk of an electrical
short. If this happens and the vehicle overheats, a fire could break out.
This recall comes in the wake of two autos catching fire at a Ford plant.
As our auto products liability law firm mentioned in a recent blog post,
about 19 million autos were recalled in 2010. This number is significantly
higher than the number of vehicles that were sold last year, which were
approximately 11.4 million vehicles.
The NHTSA says that through December 14, 2010, it received over 64,000
complaints from drivers about their vehicles. According to theLos Angeles Times and the
Dallas News, Toyota received close to 87 complaints for every 100,000 autos it sold.
That is more complaints than any other auto manufacturer. Nissan ranked
number two when it came to consumer complaints, with almost 62 complaints
for every 100,000 autos sold. Volkswagen received 47 complaints for every
100,00 vehicles sold. Edmunds.com, an automotive research firm, says Honda
Motor Co. and Ford had the lowest complaint ratios.
More U.S. drivers file official auto complaints, DallasNews, January 3, 2010
Chrysler and Ford Recall 160,000 Vehicles for Safety Defects, Daily Finance, December 30, 2010
Ford Recalls F-Series Pickups, Edge, Lincoln MKX, ABC News, December 30, 2010
More than 19 Million Autos Recalled in 2010 in About 600 Campaigns, Product Liability Blog, December 29, 2010
Related Web Resources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Recalls.gov
Our auto products liability lawyers want to remind you that you can hold a negligent car maker or auto parts manufacturer liable for personal injury or wrongful death.
