More 2012 Major Car Recalls: Nissan, Porsche, and Ford Warn of Dangers in Unsafe Cars – Dangerous Products Warning to You

Again, more examples that just because you buy a product in America today does not mean that you can trust it to be safe for you and your family (the basis for products liability law):  this week, we learn that (1) Nissan is recalling about 11,000 of its 2012 Nissan Juke crossovers; (2) Porsche is recalling 270 new 2011-12 Cayenne and Panamera model vehicles; and (3) Ford is recalling 2013 Ford Escapes.

It seems that more and more cars on American roadways are getting recalled after people have bought the products and driven away to use them to get to work, take kids to school, drive to the lake on the weekend, etc.  Defective products are a real problem in the United States today.  It is sad to think that accidents and wrongful deaths will happen because of products that fail through no fault of the driver, and that families and injury victims will be forced to deal with personal injury claims in the future.

Here’s the latest on these three 2012 recalls from Nissan, Ford, and Porsche:

Porsche

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): PORSCHE / CAYENNE 2012 PORSCHE / PANAMERA 2011 PORSCHE / PANAMERA 2012 Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr’s Report Date: JUL 11, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V329000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO-CHARGER

Potential Number of Units Affected: 270

Summary: PORSCHE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 PANAMERA TURBO, 2012 PANAMERA TURBO S, AND 2012 CAYENNE TURBO VEHICLES. THE TURBINE WHEEL OF A TURBOCHARGER MAY FRACTURE DUE TO A CASTING DEFECT. IF A FRACTURE OCCURS, VEHICLE PERFORMANCE WILL BE DECREASED AND THE TURBINE SHAFT MAY FRACTURE.

Consequence: IF THE SHAFT FRACTURES, OIL MAY BE DRAWN INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, RESULTING IN SMOKE AND THE INCREASED RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: PORSCHE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURBINE WHEELS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-767-7243.

Notes: PORSCHE’S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS AC04. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Nissan

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): NISSAN / JUKE 2012 Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr’s Report Date: JUL 12, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V328000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: SEATS

Potential Number of Units Affected: 11,076

Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 JUKE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2012, THROUGH MAY 26, 2012. DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE WELD PENETRATION, THE REAR SEAT BACK STRIKER MAY PARTIALLY SEPARATE IN A CRASH.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE REAR SEAT BACK MAY NOT BE SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED SEAT BACK STRIKERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT THE END OF JULY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Ford

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): FORD / ESCAPE 2013 Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY Mfr’s Report Date: JUL 02, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V319000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 8,266

Summary: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 8, 2012 THROUGH JUNE 7, 2012. DUE TO MIS-POSITIONED CARPET PADDING THE CENTER CONSOLE TRIM PANEL MAY BE PUSHED OUTBOARD OF THE INTENDED POSITION, REDUCING CLEARANCE RELATIVE TO THE PEDAL PACKAGE.

Consequence: THE REDUCED CLEARANCE MAY RESULT IN THE DRIVER’S FOOT CONTACTING THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE TRANSFERRING THE FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES AND THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE CARPET PADDING AND LEFT-SIDE CONSOLE TRIM PANEL REPLACED WITH A NEW PANEL, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JULY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Notes: FORD’S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 12S34. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.