When someone purchases a car, they typically assume that the vehicle has been thoroughly tested by all important regulatory bodies and has been deemed safe for use. Sometimes, problems with the vehicle are uncovered after people have started driving it. In this case, issues with the car may lead to an auto accident. There are minimum safety requirements that have been set by the FMVSS and NHTSA (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, respectively) with regards to important safety equipment. This includes airbags, safety belts, brakes, and more. If something goes wrong with one of these parts, then a recall may be issued.
There are two main categories of maintenance recalls and the first is called a design defect. A design defect recall is issued when a part of the vehicle has not been designed as safely as it could have been. For example, an issue with airbag design may cause it to explode. This would be considered a design defect and, sadly, has happened in the past. If the inflator attached to the airbag is not designed correctly, it might be prone to damage when exposed to moisture. This could lead to an explosion. This is the scenario that caused the massive Takata airbag recall in the past.
The other type of auto recall is called a manufacturing defect. In this case, the design of the vehicle was safe; however, there is an issue with how the part is being made. A common manufacturing recall has to do with the wiring of the vehicle. Based on the design plans, the manufacturer may have some degree of leeway for where and how to place the wires to ensure the car works well. If the wiring is not installed correctly and it doesn’t form a seal, then the wiring might be exposed to moisture from the external environment. This may cause the car to suffer a short-circuit, which might lead to a serious accident.
If a car has been recalled, it is important for everyone to follow the instructions included in the recall. The vehicle may no longer be safe to drive. Therefore, it is critical to take the car to the appropriate dealership as soon as possible. When a car is no longer safe to drive, there is a high risk of someone being involved in an accident. This might lead to serious traumatic injuries such as broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. To avoid this, everyone needs to follow the instructions provided when the recall is issued.
