Recently, Honda issued a recall that affects nearly 900,000 Odyssey vans (model years 2005-2010). The issue stems from the part of a fuel pump that may crack, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
So far, the automaker hasn’t received any reports of fires or injuries. But because repair parts won’t be available until the summer of 2014, it unfortunately provides the opportunity for something to go wrong. Starting in April, consumers will be notified regarding the recall and provided a temporary fix.
Honda has indicated that the defective fuel pumps are made by a supply company in Japan (Denso). Of course, this doesn’t eliminate their liability, should the problem result in someone suffering serious injury.
This recall follows two more recalls on Honda Odyssey vans. One recall was announced in January 2013 on the Odyssey and Pilot vans for airbags that didn’t deploy. Another was announced in September of 2013 for Odyssey and Pilot vans with possible piston failure.
Liability for a Defective Product Made by a Foreign Company
It’s not uncommon for a product and/or its parts to be manufactured in another country and then assembled in the United States. The chain of distribution may include some parties in the United States and others elsewhere, which may leave a victim or the family of a loved one to wonder what legal action can be taken.
Generally, foreign businesses and corporations are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts wherever it conducts business. In a case involving auto parts manufactured for the United States, they typically can be included in a product liability claim.
In fact, there may be several parties held liable for injuries. This could include anyone who has been involved in the chain of distribution — such as a distributor, supplier, retailer or others. Because of the complexity of these types of cases, it’s best to seek legal advice. An attorney at Gacovino, Lake & Associates can determine if it’s a legitimate claim, who could be named in the lawsuit and what types of compensation may be sought. Don’t delay in learning more about the legal options that could be available. Call 800-550-0000.
