Sometimes the safety features we count on to protect us don’t function as well as we need them to, as this recent vehicle recall reminds us.
More than 275,000 Subaru Forester sport utility vehicles are being recalled by Fuji Heavy Industries Limited due to an issue with the rear seatbelt that might increase the risk of injury to children riding in the backseat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Forrester’s rear center seat belt assembly’s automatic locking retractor doesn’t meet federal safety requirements. The issue might prevent motorists from properly installing a child safety seat, endangering the child in the event of a collision. The defect was first discovered during product testing, and currently no injuries related to the problem have been reported, according to a company spokesperson.
The recall will begin on April 13. Owners of affected vehicles, which were produced from 2009 to 2012, should contact Subaru for more information. The company will repair the problem by installing a new automatic locking retractor mechanism that meets federal safety standards and can better secure a passenger or child-safety seat at no cost to the consumer.
As a highly experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney, I am well aware of the harm that can be caused by a vehicle’s malfunctioning safety features. If you or someone you care about has been injured by a defective vehicle, please consider contacting a licensed Riverside personal injury lawyer.