The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said it is opening a formal safety investigation into more than 1.1 million Honda Accord vehicles over reports of sudden steering loss. According to a Reuters report, the agency said the engineering analysis covers 2013 through 2015 models and said the vehicle may veer or jerk out of its intended path of travel under normal conditions with no warning or input from the driver.
Details of the Investigation
Honda said it was aware of the investigation, “takes all safety-related concerns seriously,” and will continue to cooperate with NHTSA through the investigation process. NHTSA has so far received 107 complaints and two injury reports related to this issue. One consumer in Florida told NHTSA he was driving at 25 mph when the steering wheel took over and he could not control the vehicle. The car went into the woods and crashed into trees and the vehicle was declared a total loss.
In October, the agency received a petition asking for an investigation regarding an alleged steering system defect in 2013 Honda Accord vehicles. NHTSA then opened the defect petition review and sent Honda two information requests on steering anomalies in Honda Accords.
The agency said it performed an extensive analysis on the information obtained from Honda and information in its own databases. The next step will be an engineering analysis, which will assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged defect after which NHTSA will determine whether or not a safety recall is warranted.
Auto Product Liability Issues
We hope NHTSA thoroughly investigates this worrisome issue of steering loss in Honda Accord vehicles. Loss of steering could potentially result in loss of vehicle control and, thereby, a crash, which could, in turn, cause serious injuries or even fatalities. The fact that this could occur at any time when the vehicle is in motion and without input from the driver is cause for deep concern.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to defective autos, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses by filing an auto product liability lawsuit against the automaker and other potential parties. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to provide you with more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-opens-safety-probe-into-11-million-honda-accord-vehicles-2021-05-10/
