Suzuki Power Steering Failure

Suzuki Power Steering Pump May Seize And Cause Accident

If you got hurt in a car accident because your power steering went out while driving, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. For a free consultation for an injury or wrongful death claim, call the Florida product liability lawyers at the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today at (800) 337-7755. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to pay us out of pocket. We only get paid if you get compensation for the accident.

Power steering is a device in modern automobiles that allows the driver to steer the vehicle with minimal effort. Cars built since the early 1960’s have all come standard equipped with hydraulic power or electric power steering, which is why most of us aren’t even aware how difficult it would be and how much effort it would require to physically turn the wheel with power steering.

Power steering works by use of hydraulics or more recently, electricity. Hydraulic power steering systems work by using a hydraulic pressure system to multiply the force that is being applied to the steering wheel to the car’s wheels.

Power Steering Failure

If the power steering in your car were to fail or to seize, the consequences could be severe. You could suddenly have a very difficult time turning your steering wheel, especially at lower speeds. The unexpected loss of ability to easily turn your car could lead to panic and loss of control, and could ultimately result in a car crash.

Bodily injuries that could result from an accident caused by loss of vehicle control may include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head trauma
• Blunt force trauma
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures and broken bones
• Lacerations
• Death

Back in 2015, Suzuki recalled 19,000 vehicles because a manufacturing error had determined that, under certain operating conditions, insufficient clearance between the fluid control valve and the power steering pump could cause improper valve movement, which may lead to failure of the steering pump.

Suzuki has replaced the power steering system in affected models, but has since discovered yet another manufacturing error with the replacements. In December 2018, Suzuki notified owners of the 2012-2013 Suzuki SX4 of a recall concerning the defect. Suzuki stated that:

“The internal hydraulic pressure inside the power steering pump may rise, resulting in steering operation becoming heavy, and the pump potentially seizing.”

If the power steering pump was to seize, the driver would be required to use increased steering effort, increasing the risk of a car crash.

The Manufacturer’s Duty of Care to You

We depend on our cars to safely get us to our destination each day. This means counting on every component of the vehicle to function properly and safely. If a part of the vehicle has been improperly or negligently assembled, such a manufacturing defect could result in injury or even death.

Suzuki owes you and other consumers a duty of care, meaning the manufacturer is obligated to act with reasonable care during the assembly of the vehicle. Failing to do so may constitute a breach of duty of care if harm to consumers was foreseeable.

There are a few theories by we could hold the manufacturer liable for automotive defects.

Under the theory of strict liability, the plaintiff does not need to prove that the manufacturer was negligent or to blame defective auto parts, but rather only that the part was unreasonably dangerous, defective, or lacked sufficient warnings.

Under the negligence theory, the plaintiff would have to prove that the vehicle or a component of the vehicle was manufactured, designed, or marketed improperly. This means that a reasonable person in similar circumstances as the manufacturer would have foreseen a driver being injured as a result of the defect.

Finally, a plaintiff may be able to prove a breach of implied warranty, which is based on the consumer’s reasonable expectations about the safety of the vehicle. For example, a reasonable person would expect the power steering to work properly. No one would seriously consider buying a car if they knew there was a possibility that the power steering would suddenly fail.

If you get hurt in a car accident that was caused by the failure of your Suzuki SX4’s power steering, contact an experienced Florida products liability attorney who can fight to get you the compensation you deserve. At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, our Florida automotive product liability lawyers have represented many victims of defective auto parts. We can help you recover the damages for your pain and suffering and medical expenses that you deserve. Call Jason Turchin today at (800) 337-7755 to find out more. It’s always a free consultation!

To find out more information regarding the latest vehicle recalls, you can contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236 or visit their website.

Products Liability – Automotive Defects – Recall Investigation Timeline – Recall Acknowledgment