The ability to steer is one of the most critical functions of any automobile. If anything goes wrong with a car’s steering during operation, it can lead to accidents for the driver and their passengers.
This is why Jeep’s latest recall raises a few eyebrows. The automaker recently issued a recall of almost 90,000 Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L SUVs because of an assembly error in their steering systems. According to the company, the affected vehicles’ steering columns’ intermediate shaft wasn’t properly connected and could detach during operation.
Jeep warned consumers that if they’re driving one of the affected SUVs from model years 2021 to 2023, they might hear a noise when turning the steering wheel. They might also notice that the steering wheel could move back and forth an inch. These two are giveaway signs that the intermediate shaft is about to detach.
Owners of the affected vehicles can turn their cars over to dealers for inspection. Jeep also said that if dealers find an issue with the intermediate shaft, they will replace it and its related assembly parts at no extra charge.
What should you do if you own a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
If you own a Jeep Grand Cherokee, one of the first things you should do is to confirm the model year of your vehicle. If your automobile falls between the model years 2021 and 2023, there’s a high chance that your SUV has a dangerous defect.
You could also file a product liability lawsuit against the automotive company if you suffered an accident related to the steering defect. In such a lawsuit, you’ll have to prove that your SUV was defective, that you were using it as intended by the automaker and that you sustained injuries and damages due to the defect.
While you could sue a manufacturer for the defect in your vehicle, you should remember that even if a manufacturer issues a recall, it doesn’t automatically mean they’ll claim responsibility in a product liability lawsuit. When this happens, you’ll have to prove your case in court, which can be challenging. In such cases, you might need the experience of a legal professional. An attorney familiar with product liability laws will be able to represent you in court, fight for proper compensation to pay for your injuries and ultimately force the automaker to change their defective designs.