Ford Ranger Pickup Trucks Recalled for Seatbelt Defects

Ford has issued a vehicle defect recall for about 7,580 2019 Ford Ranger Supercab vehicles in the United States because of defective seatbelts that may not have been properly assembled. According to a report on CNET.com, the vehicles were built between June 18, 2018, and June 19, 2019, at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. Another 400 recalled vehicles are in Canada.

Seatbelts Might Not Work

The issue stems from the right front seatbelt. Ford says the belt may be have been improperly assembled although the automaker did not say how the assembly may have gone wrong. The affected seatbelts might not be able to properly restrain a passenger in the event of a crash increasing the chance of injury.

Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this potential defect. When the recall begins, technicians will inspect the right front seatbelt and replace the whole belt assembly as necessary, which should fix the problem.

Faulty Seatbelts and Product Liability

It is an established fact that seatbelts save thousands of lives and they are extremely valuable as a safety device especially when there is a car crash because they keep occupants in place and thereby help prevent serious injuries. However, when these crucial safety devices do fail, serious injuries and even fatalities can occur. Seatbelt failures can occur as a result of a flawed design or a manufacturing defect. When injuries or fatalities occur as the result of a defective seatbelt, an expert should examine the restraint system and help determine if the seatbelt performed as intended during a crash.

When a vehicle occupant is injured as a result of being partially or fully ejected from a vehicle, it is important to look into whether the seat restraint system failed. It is crucial that the vehicle involved in the crash is preserved so an expert can thoroughly examine it for any product defects, malfunctions or design flaws. The best auto defect law firms will have the resources and the network of experts necessary to conduct these independent investigations and to determine the facts of the case.

When seatbelt failure causes injuries to vehicle occupants, the injured victims can file a product liability claim against the automaker and/or the maker of the seatbelt. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. Families of deceased victims can seek compensation by filing a wrongful death claim. An experienced auto product liability attorney can help injured victims and their families better understand their legal rights and options in such cases.

Source: https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2019-ford-ranger-recall-improperly-assembled-seatbelts/