General Motors Company has issued an auto defect recall for more than 4,000 of its 2012 Chevrolet Sonic sub-compact cars in order to check them for missing brake pads. According to a news report in The Associated Press, there is a possibility that some Sonics could be missing an inner or outer brake pad. This was discovered during warranty service for a rental vehicle customer. According to GM officials, there are no known car accidents or injuries related to the issue.

However, a missing brake pad could require a longer stopping distance and contribute to a crash. This recall involved 4,296 Sonic vehicles sold in the United States. The vehicles were assembled in a Michigan plant. When the recall begins, dealers will inspect the front brakes for missing inner or outer pads and install new pads if one is missing. If needed, dealers will also install a new brake caliper or brake rotor or both.

Dangerous Auto Defects

Braking issues can be extremely serious and result in major injury car accidents or even fatalities. Based on this news report, it appears that one of the brake pads was missing and that the error happened during the assembly process. Auto defects can occur during the design phase, the manufacturing stage, or assembly process. Regardless of how or why they occur, auto defects can put the driver of the vehicle and his or her passengers at serious risk for injury or death. Brake problems in particular are dangerous because we count on out vehicle’s ability to stop in time to avoid a collision or for example to avoid a pedestrian on the roadway. Brake defects can injure not only the vehicle’s occupants in the event of a car accident, but also others on the roadway such as pedestrians.

Auto Products Liability Issues

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective auto, please understand that you have legal rights. An experienced California personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled such cases, can help better advise victims and their families about their options. An injured victim can file an auto products liability claim against the automaker seeking compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. The family of a deceased car accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and loss of companionship. The best auto defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.