Chicago Car Accident Caused by a Vehicle Recall or Defect: What Illinois Drivers Need to Know

Is your vehicle safe to drive? Thousands of Chicagoans slide into the driver’s seat every day without giving this question a second thought. Their vehicle carried them home safely the night before, so it must be okay…right? This same risk applies to drivers throughout Illinois, including in Joliet, Aurora, Naperville, and other Chicago suburbs.

In fact, millions of vehicles on US roads have dangerous hidden defects. Drivers might not know a defect exists until it’s too late to correct it. Automakers issue recalls to address known issues – but some drivers don’t hear about recalls or take their vehicles in for repairs. 

What Is a Manufacturer Vehicle Recall in Illinois?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues or oversees a recall when a motor vehicle doesn’t meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) or has a safety-related defect. Recalls may be initiated voluntarily by the manufacturer or directed by NHTSA, and most are initiated by manufacturers before NHTSA involvement. 

The FMVSS sets minimum performance requirements for all parts of the vehicle that affect safe operation. These include not only essentials like the engine or brakes but also lights, mirrors, and tires.

• Either the NHTSA or an automaker can issue an official recall. 
• Often, the NHTSA and automakers work together to make recall information public and to notify vehicle owners. 
• Automakers must offer a free remedy, such as a repair, replacement, refund, or, in rare cases, a repurchase, to all vehicle owners affected by the recall.
• Traditionally, the way to get a recalled defect fixed was to take the vehicle to any dealership for a free repair. Many recall repairs are still done at dealerships. 

However, with the inclusion of computerized parts in today’s vehicles, some recalls can be provided as free software updates. The official recall information is available at NHTSA.gov/Recalls (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), recalls.gov, or the automaker’s website. The NHTSA site allows you to search by your vehicle’s VIN or license plate for the most precise results.

Millions of Vehicles on Chicago, Joliet, and Aurora Roads Have Unrepaired Recalled Defects

How often do vehicle owners get their recalled defects repaired? Statistics say: not often enough. Currently, more than 58 million vehicles are on US roads with at least one open recall, according to CARFAX data. This means the vehicle has been recalled for a dangerous defect, but the problem has not been fixed.

• Vehicle recalls skyrocketed in 2026. In just the first half of the year, over 23 million vehicles were the subject of a newly filed recall. 
• Many of these vehicles already had one or more open recalls. 
• Ford led all automakers in recalls in the first half of 2026, accounting for approximately 52% of all light-duty vehicle recalls by volume, according to BizzyCar’s quarterly recall report, affecting more than 12 million vehicles across 55 recall campaigns.
• These numbers are daunting when the recall has a known solution. Yet, about 13.3 million vehicles on US roads are currently subject to an open recall with no known fix. 

The automaker is aware of the issue and has informed vehicle owners, but it hasn’t yet determined exactly how to resolve the problem. These vehicles can be dangerous to their owners, passengers, and everyone else on the road, no matter how carefully the driver acts. 

*Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes only. All fee arrangements and questions should be discussed with an attorney. Reading this blog does not establish an attorney-client relationship.

How an Unrepaired Vehicle Defect Can Cause a Car Accident in Chicago

Defects can happen in nearly any part of a vehicle. When a vehicle part fails, it can cause a crash in various ways. The exact chain of events depends on which parts failed and how.

• For example, a vehicle with a brake defect may not slow down when the driver hits the brakes. Careening out of control, the vehicle may run a red light, hit someone at an intersection, or rear-end another vehicle. 
• A vehicle that loses power on the freeway due to a transmission or fuel problem could suddenly lose speed, becoming a major hazard in fast-moving traffic. 
• Cars whose seat belts or doors lock up in a crash could prevent passengers from escaping, causing injuries. 
• Backup cameras and windshield wipers that fail could limit visibility, leading to a crash.

The only way to know what role, if any, a defect played in a car accident is to investigate thoroughly. When you’re struggling with serious injuries, however, investigation can feel impossible. A knowledgeable Chicago abogado accidente coche can handle the investigation, so you and your family can focus on healing. 

How Do I Know If the Car That Hit Me in Chicago, Joliet, or Aurora Had a Defect?

After a car crash, it’s normal to blame the other driver. Yet the driver’s behavior is only part of the story. It’s also vital to know whether the car had a serious, dangerous defect. If it did, the automaker may also share responsibility for your injuries.

The fastest way to discover whether the vehicle involved in your case had an unrepaired defect is to work with a knowledgeable Chicago car accident lawyer. Your attorney can check the vehicle’s VIN against automaker and national databases for vehicle recalls. 

A lawyer can also pull the vehicle’s repair records to see if any issues were reported and, if so, what mechanics did to address them. A lack of records may indicate that the vehicle’s maintenance was dangerously neglected. 

Contact Our Chicago Vehicle Recall & Car Accident Attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Today

If you’ve been harmed in a Chicago car accident, you don’t have to fight for compensation alone. Talk to the team at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg today. We are located at 205 W Randolph St., Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606. Your initial consultation with our office is free, and you pay no fee unless we win. Give us a call at (312) 222-0010.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vehicle Recalls and Chicago Car Accidents

1. What should I do if I’m involved in a Chicago car accident caused by a vehicle defect?

Seek medical care first, then report the crash to police and document the vehicle involved, including its make, model, and VIN. A Chicago car accident lawyer can investigate whether an open recall or defect played a role in the crash.

2. How can I check if a vehicle has an open recall in Illinois?

You can look up any vehicle’s recall status for free using its VIN at NHTSA.gov or the automaker’s website. An attorney can also run this check as part of a full accident investigation.

3. Can I file a claim against a manufacturer if a defect caused my car accident?

Yes. If an unrepaired recall or defect helped cause your crash in Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, or elsewhere in Illinois, you may have a claim against the vehicle manufacturer in addition to any claim against the at-fault driver.

4. Are vehicle recall repairs free?

Yes. Automakers must provide a free fix for any officially recalled defect. Even so, millions of vehicles nationwide, including many in the Chicago area, are still being driven with open, unrepaired recalls.

5. Does a recall affect who is at fault in a car accident?

A recall alone doesn’t decide fault, but if an unrepaired defect helped cause the crash, it can add the manufacturer’s liability to the case alongside the at-fault driver’s negligence.

6. How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Illinois?

Illinois law generally allows two years from the date of a crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Speaking with a lawyer early helps preserve key evidence, like the vehicle’s repair and recall records.

7. Do you handle car accident and vehicle recall cases outside of Chicago, like in Joliet or Aurora?

Yes. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg represents clients throughout the Chicago area, including Joliet, Aurora, and other nearby Illinois communities.