If you drive a car, you know that accidents happen. More than likely, however, you’re relying on your car’s safety features to help protect you if an accident d KOPOO
oes occur.
Unfortunately, design flaws in some vehicles can make an accident even worse than anticipated. Two new recalls — one by Ford and one by Kia — highlight the dangers of manufacturing defects in automobiles to drivers and riders alike.
Ford recently announced recalls on 10 different vehicles, including the F-150, the Expedition and the Explorer. All of the vehicles involved in the recall may have seats that will detach in a crash due to a design or manufacturing error.
While Ford says that it isn’t aware of any actual injuries related to the issue, the seats in the affected vehicles are likely to be missing a piece that strengthens the back of the seat or an improperly assembled mechanism that affects its ability to recline. That could throw a passenger from the car or prevent their seat restraint from working properly.
Similarly, Kia has issued a recall on its 2020 Telluride sports utility vehicles. A mix-up may have caused parts designed for vehicles destined for use overseas to end up installed in vehicles that stayed in the United States. The seats don’t have the automatic locking retractor required under Federal Motor Safety Standards. The missing parts may make it impossible for a child safety seat to be installed properly — putting countless infants and young children at unnecessary risk in an accident.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and suspect that a faulty component of your vehicle may be to blame — or may have made your injuries worse — find out more about your rights as soon as possible.