The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 F-150 trucks that were manufactured between January of 2008 and November of 2009. Approximately 362,946 are affected worldwide, with the majority sold in the United States. About 280,946 trucks were sold in the U.S., with around 68,000 sold in Canada and 14,000 sold in Mexico.
According to the NHTSA, the vehicles are being recalled due to the possibility that the interior door handle housing embossing, which retains the interior door handle spring, may fracture during normal use. This flaw could result in insufficient spring force to return the handle to its fully stowed position. In the event of a side-impact accident, the door handle spring may fail, and result in the door latch opening.
Vehicle owners will be notified by Ford that, if their vehicle’s interior door handle is loose, it should be taken to a Ford dealer where the defective component will be replaced. As more parts become available, all owners will be re-notified and told to take their vehicle for inspection to a dealer, who will then either add reinforcement to the spring embossment or replace the interior door handle module for free. Anyone with questions can contact ford by calling 1-866-436-7332.
Vehicle defects put the lives of all motorists, vehicle occupants, pedestrians, and others on the road at risk. When a vehicle is made with defective parts, it can make the vehicle more prone to causing a crash that otherwise would not have occurred. A vehicle flaw could also decrease a vehicle occupant’s protection in the event of a collision.
Auto makers have a legal responsibility to design, produce, and sell vehicles that are free of defects and are safe for consumers use. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our Los Angeles auto product liability lawyers have the experience and skills that are needed to successfully help someone who has been injured or the family members of those killed because of a defective vehicle. To learn more about how we can help, call 1-877-800-1700 today.
