Kidde fire extinguishers in some General Motor (GM) vehicles may fail to activate resulting in a potentially deadly situation. GM has initiated a recall of almost 13,000 trucks and vans that are outfitted with Kidde fire extinguishers. The following car brands containing a “Pindicator” fire extinguisher with plastic handles or push buttons are subject to the recall: 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, 2009-2014 GMC Sierra, 2009 GMC TopKick 5000, 6000, and 7000 Series, 2009 Isuzu F Series, 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express and 2009-2018 GMC Savana.
The faulty extinguishers either do not activate properly or contain nozzle detachments defects. According to GM, the extinguishers can become blocked and only operate with extreme force. In other situations, they may not discharge at all when they are needed to extinguish a fire. The nozzle also poses a risk of injury as it can detach forcefully from the valve.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), one person died as a result of a faulty Kidde fire extinguisher in a vehicle in 2014. In the incident, the car caught on fire after a collision. First responders attempted to use a Kidde fire extinguisher but the device did not work. Kidde recalled almost 40 million fire extinguishers used by other automakers in their cars in 2017 following the death. Kidde’s recall included fire extinguishers that were recalled before in 2009 and 2015. In all, 130 models of Kidde extinguishers were implicated in the recall. At least 61 injuries and 91 incidents of property damage were linked to these faulty products.
A recall date has not been set. Once the recall begins, owners of affected vehicles will be instructed to contact Kidde to obtain a free replacement fire extinguisher. The new replacement will be outfitted with metal rather than plastic valves.
The number of automakers who will order recalls related to defective extinguishers is uncertain. In January, 2018, Chrysler recalled approximately 62,000 vehicles for fire extinguishers that did not operate properly or at all. Regulators estimate that approximately 2.5 million Kidde extinguishers are linked to cars, trucks, trailer, RVs and other vehicles.
If you or a member of your family suffered injury or death as a result of negligence or a defective automobile, contact the attorneys Alexander Law Group, LLP. Our exceptional personal injury lawyers will answer your questions and get you the maximum compensation that is possible. Call 888.777.1776 or contact us online.
