Concern Over Faulty Ignition Switches Spreads to Chrysler

On Wednesday, June 18th, US safety regulators said that they were opening two investigations into Chrysler Group vehicles involving faulty ignition switches, a problem that came to light after millions of General Motors vehicles came under recall earlier this year.

The ignition switch problems issue is suspected in 1.25 million Chrysler vehicles, but so far only one crash, and no deaths or injuries, has been linked to the problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it received 32 complaints from consumers alleging that a “driver’s knee can contact the ignition key fob/chain and cause the ignition to be turned to the off or accessory position” in older model Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs, from 2005 and 2006, as well as model year 2006/2007 Jeep Commander SUVs.

“If this occurs, the vehicle’s air bags may not deploy in the event of a frontal crash,” said NHTSA. About 525,000 vehicles are involved in the initial ignition switch investigation and that may lead to a vehicle recall.

“This causes the engine to shut off, affects power steering and brakes and may potentially result in the vehicle’s air bags not deploying during a frontal crash,” the report said.

The description of the problem is similar to the problem involved in the vehicle recall from GM, which has led to the vehicle recall of about 20 million older model cars worldwide due to ignition switch defects.

“This has happened four times now,” wrote one owner in a complaint filed in June 2008. “I was driving my one-year-old son to the babysitter’s house. My knee bumped the key as I was approaching a turn, shutting off the vehicle/power steering. So, I kept going straight and nearly crashed. Luckily I slammed the brakes and stopped just in time.”

What To Do If You Have Been Injured, and the Manufacturer Did Not Issue a Vehicle Recall

If a defect in your vehicle caused a car accident, you may not know immediately what recourse you have. Although the law is complicated, you do have legal recourse against the vehicle’s manufacturer. It is important for manufacturers to pay attention to the quality of their products and issue vehicle recall notices in a timely fashion – however, not all automobile manufacturers will do so, and consumers can be seriously injured or killed.

Under products liability law, it’s the injured party’s burden to prove that the product was defective. Therefore, it is important that the product be inspected by one or more qualified experts to determine the exact nature of the defect and whether that defect caused the harm suffered. If the product is not recovered, the customer may be left with no proof that the product was defective.

Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products. A defective product lawyer can help you with an injury you may receive. Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety. Defective products that commonly cause injuries include medical devices, pharmaceutical products, and other defective products such as toys, cars and automotive parts.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Personal Injury and Vehicle Recalls

If you have experienced a problem with a defective product in your automobile, especially if a defective part has led to an auto accident or personal injury, and a proper vehicle recall notice has not been issued, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We can help you with complicated auto insurance claims, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to help you with lost income and medical bills. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today at (803) 252-4800.