While defective products of any type can be a significant threat to public safety, automotive defects often prove to especially serious. A problem with your vehicle can be dangerous in its own right, and it can also make a crash more likely, more injurious or both.
Recalls can take months or years to be issued (and completed). And because most of us cannot afford to stop driving our cars on a daily basis, many people continue to drive dangerous vehicles while waiting to get the problem fixed in a recall.
In addition to the exploding air bags and sudden unintended acceleration of past recalls, a new problem may be emerging: exploding sunroofs. According to a recent news article, there appears to be a marked increase in the number of drivers reporting that their sunroofs are spontaneously popping, cracking and exploding.
Consumer Reports, which tracks such trends, has identified nearly 1,000 complaints about exploding sunroofs. They are reportedly spread across “hundreds of models from dozens of automakers.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration acknowledged being aware of the complaints and is supposedly investigating. But so far, no recalls have been issued.
Why would sunroofs be exploding? That’s not exactly clear. But one theory states that they may be under added stress now that cars are taking on bolder designs and using lighter-weight materials.
While an exploding sunroof may not be as big of a threat as, say, unintended acceleration, it can nonetheless be dangerous. Any vehicle problem that occurs while the car is in motion can be distracting enough to cause a serious accident. And if a sunroof explodes with enough force, flying debris could injure the driver or passengers.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to an automotive defect, it’s important to understand your rights and legal options. Please discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.