Mazda Recalling Vehicles for Parking Brake Defects

Mazda has issued a vehicle defect recall for about 228,000 cars in the United States because of parking brake defects. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the parking brake in these vehicles may not fully release or could fail to hold the cars, increasing the risk of a crash. The vehicle recall covers certain Mazda 6 cars from the 2014 and 2015 model years and the Mazda 3 from 2014 through 2016.

The automaker says water can get into the brake caliper causing a shaft to corrode and bind. When this happens, the parking brake could get struck in the “on” position or fail to fully engage. That can let the cars roll unexpectedly if parked on a slope. This issue affects only vehicles with a hand-operated brake lever system, according to documents posted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Details of the Recall

Mazda says it first got a report about this problem in April 2015, but decided to monitor it because it had not received any other reports. By February 2017, the automaker had received 13 reports in the U.S. of the problem happening on both models. The cause of this problem was traced to a sealing boot that was not keeping the water out of the brake caliper.

A collision was reported in Germany when a Mazda6 rolled off unexpectedly damaging the rear end. Another crash with bumper damage was reported in the United Kingdom. It was not clear from the documents if there were any injuries. When the recall begins in August, dealers will check the rear brakes, and will replace the calipers if they are corroded. If not, they will replace a boot that keeps the water out.

The Danger of Rollaway Accidents

Parking brake defects can cause rollaway accidents that could result in 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. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a parking brake defect that results in a rollaway accident, it is important that you preserve the vehicle for a thorough inspection by an expert.

It would also be in your best interest to contact an experienced auto product liability lawyer who has successfully handled similar cases against large automakers. You may be able to receive compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. The best auto defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.