Volkswagen Faces More Recalls Over Faulty Emissions Detection Device

When it comes to owning and operating a vehicle, one of the biggest nightmares you can experience is a recall, which indicates that something is wrong with a significant number of a manufacturer’s vehicles. In 2014 alone, there were over 500 vehicle recalls that encompassed over 50 million automobiles. This is an overwhelming amount of information and can seem daunting to many vehicle owners.

Although some recalls are relatively harmless, in many cases these recalls can affect critical components of a vehicle, including the brakes, steering wheel, and engine components. Earlier this year, Japanese auto parts maker Takata found itself in hot water when major defects were discovered in its air bag devices, leading to a massive recall. While some recalls are minor and can be fixed easily at a local car dealer, others are far more extensive and can lead to severe injuries or even death.

If you suffer injuries as the result of a faulty vehicle or component, you may be able to bring a product liability lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries and costs. In a product liability action, the plaintiff must show that the product suffers from an unreasonably unsafe design or that the product in question suffers from a manufacturing defect that renders the specific unit unreasonably dangerous. The plaintiff must also demonstrate that the design defect or manufacturing defect was the direct cause of his or her injuries and provide evidence supporting the damages that he or she suffered as a result of the defect.

Car manufacturer Volkswagen is facing increasing issues surrounding the recent exposure of its efforts to hide the actual level of emissions that its vehicles create. In the fall of 2015, the company admitted that it had installed computer programs in some 11 million vehicles produced and sold worldwide that grossly understated the emission of nitrogen oxide from its diesel cars. The company issued a recall of its vehicles in California, and now South Korea has initiated a similar substantial recall.

According to the South Korean government, evidence produced during testing of the cars’ emissions showed that the company engaged in deceptive manipulation. The country’s environmental ministry ordered a recall of 125,000 vehicles and levied a fine of over $12 million against Volkswagen. South Korea also ordered the company to provide a plan for conducting the recall by January 6, 2016.

In September 2015, the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency informed Volkswagen that the company had violated numerous state and federal vehicle emissions regulations, particularly when it came to the company’s use of a so-called defeat device that shuts down emissions detection equipment. The recall covers 2.0L diesel vehicles manufactured between 2009 and 2015.

If you or someone you know has suffered injuries as the result of a defective automobile, you may be entitled to compensation. At Moll Law Group, our team of dedicated and compassionate product liability lawyers know firsthand what it takes to collect a successful judgment or a settlement in your favor. We represent clients throughout the country, including in Texas, New York, and California. We offer a free consultation to help you learn about the scope of your rights, so call us at 312-462-1700 or contact us online to set up an appointment.

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