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Motorcycle Defects And Recalls

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Title 49, Chapter 301, Section 30101 (a) (8), of the United States Code for Motor Vehicle Safety states that motor vehicle safety is "the performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment in a way that protects the public against unreasonable risk of accidents occurring because of the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle, and against unreasonable risk of death or injury in an accident, and includes non-operational safety of a motor vehicle."

Motorcycle defects and recalls are a common occurrence in the United States. While it is believed that they happen less often than motor vehicle recalls, they do occur with enough frequency to prompt dozens of motorcycle websites to add a recall section to their homepage, and there are even websites dedicated solely to getting the word out about motorcycle recalls. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) produces monthly lists of safety recalls. The lists typically identify the make and model of the vehicle, the equipment involved, and a description of the safety problem.

Safety recalls are prompted in two ways: by the NHTSA or the vehicle manufacturers. A defect can be discovered in several ways, including in-house, via customer complaints, or through unfortunate accidents related to the defect, to name a few.

The recall that is filed as a public report must describe the involved vehicle/equipment population, the safety-related defect or noncompliance with a federal motor vehicle safety standard, a description of the remedy, the major events that had resulted in the recall decision, as well as a schedule for the recall itself.

While motorcycle accidents due to vehicle failure make up only three percent of all motorcycle accidents in the United States, it's a number that should be almost non-existent, as a vehicle that is unsafe and defective shouldn't be sold in any case. A punctured flat tire is a big reason for many motorcyclists losing control of their vehicle and crashing.

If your motorcycle or any part of your motorcycle has been recalled due to defects that may put your safety at risk, you will receive a letter sometimes several letters in the mail with specific details about the recall. You may even receive a phone call or two if your current phone number is registered with your motorcycle manufacturer. Once you receive the letter, it is up to you to take your motorcycle to an authorize dealer for repair. If your motorcycle is the subject of a safety recall, then the manufacturer is obligated to provide a free remedy. Keep in mind that the repairs shouldn't cost you a dime. Under federal law, safety issues must be resolved without cost to customers. Simply put, the cost for repairs resulting form a recall is always free.

If there are issues associated with the brakes, chain, shock absorbers, toe clips, the rear wheels, or tires, a safety recall may be instigated. Rarely will a recall involve issues that only affect the cosmetics of a motor vehicle or motorcycle.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to a defective or recalled motorcycle or motorcycle part, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer or personal injury attorney right away.