Honda Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles

According to the Associated Press, Honda is recalling more than 1.5 million vehicles throughout the United States to make updates to the software on the automatic transmissions systems; changes Honda hopes will decrease the likelihood of transmission damage.

What will happen if the changes are not made? Honda claims that failure to make the modifications may result in the damage to the transmissions secondary shaft bearing, if the car is shifted to quickly. This most often occurs when a driver attempts to get a vehicle out of snow or mud.

Recalls affect the 2005-2010 4-cylinder Accord, 2007-2010 CR-V and 2005-2008 Element vehicles and notices will be sent beginning August 31, 2011.

Although the company confirms that there have been no deaths or injuries from the automatic transmission problem, the company has chosen to proactively deal with the issue.

Common Product Liability Claims

It is not uncommon for car or product manufacturers to proactively recall products to avoid the potential legal fees that may result if a consumer is injured by a defective product. In the past years there have been a high number of product liability claims which have been caused by defective products. Some of the most common product liability claims have been caused by the following product defects:

Tire blowouts
SUV instability due to poor design
Improper airbag design
Insufficiently supported roofs
Defective seatbelts
Improper fuel tank design

Types of Product Liability Claims Involving Motor Vehicles

The complexity of designing and producing motor vehicles can result in defective products. Product liability claims are generally filed due to a product or part which was defectively manufactured or a defective or dangerous design. Defective manufacturing of a product can occur if a product was improperly manufactured at the factory.

Products which injure consumers due to a defective design were generally manufactured according to the specified design, but that design was inherently flawed or unsafe. Products with a defective design may make it to market and be in use by many consumers.

Filing a Product Liability Lawsuit

Product recalls have cost car makers millions of dollars. Companies have increasingly recalled defective products rather than waiting until a consumer is injured or killed. If you have been injured from a defective product, you may be able to win compensation without proving that the company was negligently responsible for your injuries. Personal injury lawyer who are familiar with product liability claims can review your claim and find out if you have a product liability claim.

Keep in mind there may be a statute of limitations for filing certain types of personal injury claims. Waiting too long may eliminate your right to compensation.