Vehicle recalls are certainly nothing new, but their scope certainly is. Since there are relatively few suppliers, a single component can affect the safety of tens of millions of vehicles across a wide variety of makes. Therefore, an issue with the Chevrolet might affect not just a Buick but also GMC or a Cadillac. One potential issue that might arise comes with the recall issued in May of certain Subaru models including the Legacy, Outback, Impreza and Baja vehicles.
What's the Issue Potentially Causing Colorado Car Accidents?
Cars sold by Subaru for model year 2003 to 2008 have a certain defect that occurs after a "long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling". As a result, "inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death."
While a notice was issued in May and a further recall was issued in July, the simple fact of the matter is that parts that would replace these degraded components have not arrived at Subaru dealerships in Colorado or throughout the rest of the country. Subaru's sole solution at this point is to recommend that there be no passengers in the front row, even though this would still not protect the driver in the case of an accident where the airbags deployed in an accident in Colorado or elsewhere.
Why This Recall Could Reach Millions of Vehicles
Colorado sees a very high rate of Subaru sales for a variety of reasons including standard all-wheel drive and brand loyalty. As a result, this affects thousands of residents. One problem with the recall is that there are some signs that it may not be limited to older cars.
If one examines recent owner manuals, the 2014 Subaru Impreza indicates that moisture is an ongoing concern in airbag deployment. It notes that if the "front passenger's seat cushions wet, this may adversely affect the ability of the system to determine deployment." In practice, the passenger airbag system turns off completely leaving the occupant completely unprotected.
Perhaps more startling that it indicates the likely continuing of moisture protection issues in the safety system. If it's clear that older Imprezas can see parts degrade, one way to limit the issue in the future is to turn off the system if there is moisture present. Obviously, a recall is still possible but it could limit Subaru's liability in even MORE Colorado car crashes. Unfortunately, what this also means is that while a link isn't certain between moisture degradation and systems in Subarus spanning more than a decade, the car maker is choosing a startling path: Risk the lives of front occupants by turning off airbag systems in the case of even tiny amounts of water.
If you've been injured by faulty airbags contact our experienced defective product attorneys today for a free case evaluation.
A copy of the Subaru recall notice is available at: https://www.cars.com/recalls/subaru-impreza-2008/
- Comprehensive Insurance in Colorado: What it is and why is it important?
- Maximize Your Colorado Motorcycle Accident Settlement
- Hiring a Bike Accident Attorney Denver: What You Need to Know
- Jason Alleman Accepts CTLA's Legal Professionalism Award
- Appeals Court Orders Judge to Reconsider Drastic Reduction of Record Wrongful Death Verdict
DENVER HEADQUARTERS
Denver Injury Lawyers
Phone - (303) 782-9999
Phone - (888) 492-6342
Fax - (303) 782-9996
Denver Law Office
5613 DTC Parkway Suite 700
Denver, CO 80111
Get directions
Request a free consultation
We would be honored to meet with you and consider your case. Call us at (303) 782-9999 or submit your case information below for prompt response.
COLORADO SPRINGS OFFICE
Colorado Springs Injury Lawyers
Phone - (719) 575-9999
Phone - (888) 492-6342
Colorado Springs Law Office
102 South Tejon Street, #1100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Get directions
View all locationsAreas We Serve
Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Greeley, Pueblo, Centennial, Boulder, Highlands Ranch, Longmont, Castle Rock, Loveland, Broomfield, Grand Junction, Commerce City, Parker, Littleton, Brighton, Windsor, Security-Widefield, Northglenn, Erie, Pueblo West, Englewood, Dakota Ridge, Ken Caryl, Wheat Ridge, Lafayette, Fountain, Columbine, Evans, Four Square Mile, Montrose, Louisville, Golden, Durango, Johnstown, Clifton, Sherrelwood, Cimarron Hills, Firestone, Fort Carson, Frederick, CaƱon City, Welby, Greenwood Village, Castle Pines, Black Forest, Lone Tree, Federal Heights, Fruita, Steamboat Springs, Superior, Berthoud, Sterling, Monument, Wellington, Fort Morgan, Berkley, Cherry Creek, Severance, Edwards, Rifle, The Pinery, Fairmount, Glenwood Springs, Gunbarrel, Timnath, Alamosa, Stonegate, Delta, Fort Lupton, Milliken, Roxborough Park, Craig, Cortez, Derby, Evergreen, Redlands, Woodmoor, Gypsum, Lochbuie, Trinidad, Fruitvale, Applewood, Woodland Park, Twin Lakes, Lamar, Eagle, Orchard Mesa, Stratmoor, La Junta, Gunnison, Carbondale, Aspen, Dacono, Mead, Gleneagle, Cherry Hills Village, Avon, Sheridan, Salida, Eaton, Estes Park, Dove Valley, Shaw Heights, Brush, West Pleasant View, Battlement Mesa, Todd Creek, Meridian, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Edgewater, New Castle, Manitou Springs, Vail, Castle Pines Village, Glendale city, Lincoln Park, El Jebel, Niwot, Monte Vista, Genesee, Basalt, Penrose, Florence, Rocky Ford, Silt, Ponderosa Park, Bennett, Yuma, Orchard City, Strasburg, Burlington, Walsenburg, Buena Vista, Snowmass Village, Sierra Ridge, Platteville, Bayfield, Holly Hills, Inverness, Stepping Stone, Frisco, Ault, Leadville, Acres Green, Palisade, Palmer Lake, Telluride, Meridian Village, Elizabeth, Coal Creek CDP, Cedaredge, Park Center, Las Animas, Meeker, Wray, La Salle, Holyoke, Rangely, Granby, Laporte, Lyons, Keenesburg, Leadville North, Limon, Aristocrat Ranchettes, Olathe, Colorado City, Center, Hayden, Sterling Ranch, Wiggins, Pagosa Springs, Akron, Perry Park, Idaho Springs, Columbine Valley, Crested Butte, Byers, Hudson, Deer Trail, Kersey, Nederland, Loma, Paonia, Fraser, Indian Hills, Kremmling, Del Norte, Parachute, Alamosa East, Cascade-Chipita Park, Springfield, Poncha Springs, Georgetown, Mancos, Ellicott, Ridgway, Julesburg, Mountain Village, Fowler, Aetna Estates, Dotsero, Towaoc, Winter Park, Cripple Creek, Pierce, Ordway, Kittredge, Gilcrest, Dillon, Lazy Acres, Aspen Park, Keystone, Watkins, Howard, Haxtun, Minturn, Manassa, Mount Crested Butte, Hotchkiss, Dolores, Upper Bear Creek, Ouray
About Our Law Firm
Anderson Hemmat, LLC is a personal injury law firm with locations in and around Denver, Colorado, handling all personal injury cases including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall, premises liability and more. Our award-winning Denver injury attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for accident victims. If you were injured in Denver, contact our law firm today, we offer a free initial consultation.