Vehicle Recalls

Each year, auto companies in the United States issue safety recalls on car parts ranging from tires and gear shifts, to the very publicized Takata airbags. To make it easier to keep up with recall notices, Consumer Reports created the Car Recall Tracker, which provides a comprehensive list of recalls and how to repair them by entering the car’s make and model.

The following are examples of vehicles that are under recall and what consumers can do to fix the problem:

• Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 (2009-2017): Approximately 1.5 million Ram pickup trucks have been recalled due to a problem with the gear shifter that is mounted on the steering column. According to the automaker, the shifter can be moved out of park, even if the brake pedal is not engaged.
  Steps consumers should take: Use the parking brake as recommended. If you would like more information about the recall, call 866-220-6747, or contact your local dealer to schedule an appointment to have the problem fixed.
• Ford F-150 and Super Duty (2015-2017): Ford has recalled 1.1 million of these pickup trucks because some of the vehicle doors did not open or close properly. A frozen door latch or a bent or kinked actuation table caused the problem. Officials from Ford warn that this could cause the door to open while the truck is moving
  Steps consumers should take: Consumers should contact their local Ford dealer and provide the reference number 17S33 to confirm whether their vehicle is on the recall list. All repairs will be done free of charge.
• BMW 3 Series (2006-2011): BMW is recalling over 670,000 of their Series 3 cars due to a potential fire hazard. The wiring and electrical connectors for the heating and air-conditioning systems have been known to deteriorate and overheat, even if the car is not running.
  Steps consumers should take: Confirm whether your vehicle is part of the recall by calling BMW customer service at 800-525-7417. All defective product replacements will be done for free.
• Kia Soul and Soul EV (2014-2016): Recalls of 342,381 previously recalled Kia Soul SUVs were due to a steering issue that may not have been properly repaired initially. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that if the steering-gear is not correctly repaired, the driver could lose control of the vehicle.
  Steps consumers should take: Contact Kia Consumer Affairs at 800-333-4542 and provide the reference recall number 17V608000 to confirm whether your vehicle is on the recall list.
• Toyota Sienna (2005-2007, 2009-2010): 310,000 Sienna minivans were recalled because the shifting lever moved out of park if the brake pedal was not engaged. As a result, the vehicle could roll into oncoming traffic, or hit another vehicle.
  Steps consumers should take: Call Toyota’s customer service at 800-331-4331 to confirm whether your vehicle is part of the recall.
• Chrysler Pacifica (2017): 153,859 minivans were recalled because they were known to stall while starting, turning, or driving at low, steady speeds.
  Steps consumers should take: Contact customer service at 800-853-1403 and schedule an appointment if your car in on the list.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Car Accident Victims

If you have been injured in a car accident due to a defective auto part, contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will fight to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.