Ford Recalls Thousands of Pickup Trucks for Rollaway Hazard

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 52,000 F-250 pickup trucks sold in the United States and Canada because the vehicles could potentially roll after they are put into park position. The recall affects 2017 model year F-250 vehicles powered by 6.2-liter gas engines built in its Louisville Kentucky truck plant. Ford has also said it is not aware of any injuries or car accidents associated with this latest recall.

This is the third recall in a week for Ford. The second largest U.S. automaker announced last week that it was recalling 211,000 vehicles in North America for faulty side door latches. Another recall the same day involved 230,000 vehicles that present a fire risk in the engine compartment. Ford had received reports of 29 fires related to that issue but no injuries. Since 2014, Ford recalled 4 million vehicles for door latch problems in six separate announcements.

The Danger of Rollaway Vehicles

The danger of rollaway vehicles was in the limelight last year when “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin was killed when his recalled Jeep SUV rolled down his home’s driveway and pinned him against a mailbox. That incident involved Yelchin’s 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was part of a global recall of 1.1 million vehicles.

U.S. regulators said that there were 68 reported injuries and 266 crashes in vehicles involving these SUVs that have a type of gear-shifting control that has confused some consumers and led to rollaway incidents. Rollaway accidents can cause significant injuries or even deaths. In addition to the vehicle’s occupants, pedestrians or occupants of other vehicles could also get injured in these types of accidents.

Auto Product Liability Issues

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an auto defect, it is important that you preserve the vehicle for a thorough inspection by an expert. In addition, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced auto products liability lawyer who has successfully handled similar cases against large automakers.

Injured victims may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Families that have lost loved ones as a result of auto defects can also seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the automaker. The best auto defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.