Auto Recalls: GM Brakes, Chrysler SUVs, Ferrari ‘Escape Latch’
This month hasn't been a great one for well-operating cars, and these three separate recalls are proof.
Automakers GM, Chrysler, and Ferrari have all issued recalls related to their vehicles, with some potential defects proving to be less dangerous than others. For example, Chrysler's Dodge Durangos and Jeep Cherokees are being recalled because of a defect that may cause the engine to stall.
What else should you know about these three car recalls?
GM: Brake Fire Risk
This hasn't been the best year for GM. With litigation related to GM's ignition switch defect still cropping up, it seems that the company's reputation for safety may be seriously compromised.
This new recall is unrelated to the ignition switch defect, but rather is focused on a risk of brake fires caused by a parking-brake defect. The New York Times reports that the parking brake in more than 221,000 GM vehicles may stay partially engaged, causing "significant heat, smoke, and sparks" from the rear brake pads -- not to mention slowing the driver down and wearing down brake pads prematurely.
The affected vehicles include models:
- Chevy Impala (2014 and 2015)
- Cadillac XTS (2013 to 2015)
The Times reports that GM is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to this brake defect, but you can find if your car is affected by entering your VIN on GM's website.
Chrysler: SUV Fuel Pump Problems
A striking amount of Chrysler SUVs, more than 230,000, are being recalled worldwide because of a faulty fuel pump that may stall or prevent engines from starting.
According to CNN Money, Chrysler hasn't reported any deaths or injuries from the defect; the problem appeared "as a pattern in repairs." The recall is expected to affect 189,000 vehicles in the United States -- mainly 2011 Dodge Durangos and 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokees.
Chrysler's website promises affected consumers will be notified via direct mail.
Ferrari: No Escape
Ferrari's may be the strangest recall. According to The Washington Post, the recall of more than 3,000 F458 Italia and F458 Spider vehicles is due to the risk of the emergency release latch inside the car's trunk not operating when the car is stationary. Without a fix, those who somehow find themselves trapped in affected Ferrari trunks can only escape when the car is moving, which may be a poor, high-speed choice.
For more information about vehicle recalls, check out FindLaw's section on vehicle recalls and defects.
Related Resources:
- Chrysler recalling nearly 189,000 SUVs (The Associated Press)
- Was Your Car Recalled? Look Up Your VIN to Find Out (FindLaw's Common Law)
- Chrysler Recalls: Mirror-Light Fires, Ignition-Switch Problems (FindLaw's Common Law)
- 6 New GM Recalls: 7.6M U.S. Vehicles Affected (FindLaw's Common Law)