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Defective Air Bags Put People At Risk Of Injury In 12.5 Million Vehicles

When a car manufacturer has clear evidence that a safety feature in its cars does not work as intended, but fails to notify owners of those cars, that company puts people’s lives on the line. When the class action attorneys of Edelson Lechtzin LLP learned that defective air bags in numerous makes of cars were susceptible to malfunction because of electrical overstress, but did not make things right with purchasers of the vehicles, we began an investigation.

Our clients’ damage claims are not only based on the air bags’ poor functioning. Our investigation has looked into evidence of fraud and concealment on the part of multiple car manufacturers that installed these air bags in their vehicles. We have worked hard to pursue justice for consumers defrauded by Hyundai, Kia, Honda, Toyota, FCA US LLC, Mitsubishi and ZF-TRW Automotive Holding Corp.

How Consumers Were Cheated

Studies have shown that a defect in a circuit in the air bags used by these manufacturers causes a failure that prevents deployment of the air bags and the seat belt pretensioners. Even when these companies allegedly learned of the defect by 2011 or later, it was 2018 before they took action to protect consumers.

Since 2009, thousands or millions of consumers have bought or leased vehicles – including many that are listed below – made with defective air bags. Our legal team has alleged that purchasers of the vehicles outfitted with the defective air bags were wronged in the following ways:

  • They were financially harmed, even if not physically harmed in crashes.
  • They suffered actual damages.
  • They did not receive the benefit of their bargain, but rather, purchased or leased vehicles that were of a lesser quality than what was represented.

In other words, the purchasers or lessees who believed in the integrity of their vehicles’ safety features paid more through a higher purchase price or lease payment than they would have if the defect had been disclosed.

Which Vehicles Contained The Defective Air Bags?

Vehicles made with the defective air bags have included the following makes and models:

  • Acura: RLX 2014-2019, RLX Hybrid 2014-2019, TL 2012-2014, TLX 2015-2017, TSX 2012-2014, TSX Sport 2014, TSX Sportwagon 2012-2013
  • Dodge: Nitro 2010-2011, Ram 1500 2009, Ram 3500 2010
  • Fiat: 500 2012-2019
  • Jeep: Compass 2015-2017, Liberty 2010-2012, Patriot 2015-2017, Wrangler 2010-2018
  • Honda: Accord 2013-2015, Accord Hybrid 2014-2015, Civic 2012-2015, Civic GX 2012-2015, Civic Hybrid 2012-2015, Civic SI 2012-2015, CR-V 2012-2016, Fit 2012-2017, Fit EV 2013-2014, Ridgeline 2012-2014
  • Hyundai: Sonata 2013-2019, Sonata Hybrid 2013-2019
  • Kia: Forte 2010-2013, Forte Koup 2013, Optima 2013-2019, Optima Hybrid 2012-2016, Sedona 2014
  • Mitsubishi: Lancer 2013-2017, Lancer Evolution 2013-2015, Lancer Ralliart 2014-2015, Outlander 2013,
  • Ram: 1500 2009-2012, 2500 2010-2012, 3500 2010-2012, 4500 2011-2012, 5500 2011-2012
  • Toyota: Avalon 2012-2018, Avalon Hybrid 2013-2018, Corolla 2011-2019, Corolla IM 2017-2018, Corolla Matrix 2011-2013, Sequoia 2012-2017, Tacoma 2012-2019, Tundra 2012-2017.

Were you injured or did you lose a loved one after a defective air bag in one of these cars failed to protect occupants? We can advise you on how to build a product defect claim. Even if no one has been injured yet but you own one of these cars, we can advise you on how to obtain financial relief.

Request More Information

If you purchased or have leased one of these vehicles and would like to discuss your legal rights, we will gladly help you explore your options. You may be able to join or initiate a class action against the manufacturer of your car.

Please contact our Philadelphia law offices by email or 844-696-7492 to request a consultation at your convenience.

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