General Motors Recalls More Than 900,000 Vehicles for Electrical and Braking Issues

General Motors has issued an auto defect recall for more than 900,000 trucks and cars worldwide over electrical and braking problems that could cause car accidents. According to a news report, one of the two recalls covers more than 550,000 Cadillac CT6 sedans, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups.

Details of the Recall

Documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that a software error in the vehicles could cause their electronic stability control and antilock brake systems to become disabled increasing the risk of a crash. The other recall impacts more than 400,000 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 trucks from 2019 and 2020.

A battery cable with too much glue could interrupt an electrical connection, raising the risk of a crash or a fire, the recall documents state. The two recalls together affect more than 814,000 vehicles in the United States, and some vehicles are covered by both recalls. There has been one reported fire, but no injuries linked to either problem. When the recalls begin Jan. 27, vehicle owners can take their cars or trucks to the dealership to get the vehicles repaired at no cost.

Vehicle Defects and Risks

When a vehicle or vehicle part is defective, there are several risks that come with it. In this particular case, when the electronic stability control becomes disabled due to a software glitch, it increases the possibility of a collision, particularly a rollover crash, which often causes devastating injuries. An electrical issue in a vehicle could cause a car fire, which could, of course, result in burn injuries and smoke inhalation injuries that could prove fatal.

Automakers have a duty to ensure that the vehicles they put out in the market are safe for consumers. Manufacturers of vehicle parts and safety devices such as airbags and seatbelts have a similar legal responsibility. When they discover that their products are defective, automakers and parts manufacturers also have the responsibility to issue prompt recalls to alert consumers and to arrange for repairs to be made. These repairs should be available to consumers at no cost.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a recalled vehicle or a defective auto, you may be able to seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.

Source: https://nypost.com/2019/12/19/gm-recalls-more-than-900000-trucks-and-cars/