Officials with Ford Motor are recalling more than 460,000 current vehicles because of a fuel leak that is believed to serve up some serious fire risks. According to CNN, these models include 2013 Ford Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Interceptor Utility and Interceptor Sedan. The Lincoln MKS, MKT and MKZ are also under a recall, too.
Ford officials say that they don’t know of any accidents or injuries that have been reported where fire resulted from a fuel tank leak. They do admit to getting roughly 600 complaints about the problem as of the end of March.
Our New York City injury attorneys understand that there were close to 12,000 Ford vehicles recalled last July because of a similar problem. In that recall, consumers were urged to not drive the vehicle until it had been repaired. With this recall, there have been no such requests.
The 2013 Lincoln MKZ vehicles are under fire and being recalled because the insulation on the engine block heater can crack at extremely low temperatures. There were also some 2013 Fusions recalled because they’re facing some risks for impaired steering or the loss of steering control because there is no internal retaining clip.
With all these recalls, there’s one automaker is who isn’t talking responsibility as easily. Officials with Chrysler Group are refusing a request from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall more than 2.5 million of its SUVs.
The NHTSA is saying that the gas tank design used in 1993 to 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees as well as in the 2002 to 2007 Jeep Libertys is unsafe.
Chrysler is saying that the gas tank location, found behind the rear axle, is a common spot for it to be placed and can be found in the same location on many other vehicles. Officials are also saying that the fatalities that occurred involving the vehicles in question were almost all high-speed accidents, which would have had the same outcome regardless of the gas tank location.
For example, in one of the accidents, an SUV was hit by a tractor-trailer that was traveling at about 65 miles per hour. Chrysler officials are saying that the same outcomes would have resulted if any other make or model vehicle was involved, regardless of tank location.
Regardless of speed, or whichever vehicle you own, it’s important that you stay on top of the latest safety recalls. Staying in the know is going to help you to avoid a potentially fatal accident. Check all the latest safety recalls on SaferCar.gov. On this site, you’re going to find an in-depth record of vehicle recalls, tire recalls, child seat problems and other safety equipment problems. One simple check can be enough to help keep you and your family safe.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offers free consultations to those who have been injured in a traffic collision. Call 1-877-313-7673.
More Blog Entries:
Fewer NYC Crash Injuries Likely if Feds Lower Legal Alcohol Limit, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, May 15, 2013
Distracted Driving Warnings Have Little Impact on Curbing Behavior, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, April 22, 2013
