FTC Faces Lawsuit Over Used Car Recall Dangers

If you’re looking to buy a used car, how do you know if a vehicle is safe? Thanks to the Takata airbag recall, it’s become more complicated than ever before.

Consumer groups sued the Federal Trade Commission earlier this week for dangerously misleading used car buyers. Last year, the FTC reached a decision with General Motors and two major used-car chains allowing dealerships to advertise used cars as “certified pre-owned” even if they had an outstanding recall making them unsafe to drive. The lawsuit aims to overturn this decision.

Consumer safety groups filing the lawsuit include the Center for Auto Safety, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and three of its state counterparts. They argue that the ruling leaves used car buyers vulnerable to potentially deadly defects.

The matter is further complicated by the immense volume of auto recalls in recent years. The Takata airbag recall affects more than 60 million vehicles, most of which have not been fixed. This is partly because there simply aren’t enough replacement parts available.

As personal injury lawyers, we know how serious a recall can be. We handled cases involving the GM ignition switch recall (which claimed more than 100 lives) and the Takata airbag recall (tied to 10 deaths and dozens of injuries). When automakers or used car dealers fail to disclose recall dangers to consumers, they endanger the lives of drivers and their families.

So how can drivers protect themselves? Start by doing some independent research. Tools like Carfax can help identify a recall that still needs fixing, and provides additional information about the car’s history. The recall look-up tool at Safercar.gov is among the most reliable and comprehensive. This free tool will identify any outstanding recalls on a used car you’re considering. Even if you’re not shopping for a car, it’s a good idea to check your own car for potential recalls, too.

If you have been injured by a defect like the exploding Takata airbags, you shouldn’t have to pay for a big company’s wrongdoing. Contact the auto product liability lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to learn about your legal options. Marion Munley was named Product Liability Lawyer of the Year, 2017, by the legal guide Best Lawyers.