Auto Defect Liability Explained: Automotive Product Liability, Defective Vehicle Claims, and Your Legal Rights

By Emery Ledger on May 14, 2026

When a car company makes a vehicle, it’s supposed to make sure that Every. Single. Part. Works properly.

If it doesn’t, someone (or someones) could get hurt. Or even killed.

If you were hit by a car (or accidentally hit a car) because a part of your vehicle wasn’t made properly, you can file a lawsuit.

Auto product liability claims (also known as defective vehicle claims) can help you get:

• Compensation
• Closure
• Reassurance that dangerous vehicles are going to be pulled from the roads

Understanding Automotive Product Liability

Auto products liability claims say that:

• A manufacturer didn’t make vehicle parts correctly
• A store sold cars without ensuring the cars weren’t defective
• You were adversely affected because the defective parts caused an accident that injured you or killed a close relative 

What Is an Auto Defect Accident?

Vehicle accidents happen for lots of reasons:

• Drunk driving
• Not paying attention to the roads
• Malfunctions caused by lack of maintenance
• Getting distracted while driving
• Surprise situations (like a deer running in front of your car)

But defects are also a huge cause: 

• Faulty tires
• Defective brakes
• Defective accelerator controls
• Faulty fuel system components
• Non-functional airbags

Busted parts such as defective brakes and accelerator controls make it easy to have an accident. You lose control over the car, and anything can happen.

In other cases, defective parts don’t cause an accident but make one worse.

Defective fuel system components increase the risk of fire after an accident.

Airbags that don’t work can leave someone severely injured or even dead.  

Defective vehicle claims won’t make up for the damage caused by faulty design or manufacturing. But they do:

• Punish careless companies responsible for your pain and suffering
• Provide compensation you can use to support yourself and your family  

Common Types of Auto Defects in Product Liability Cases  

• Faulty tires are the main type of defect. They cause over 40% of crashes related to mechanical failures
• Failed brakes are the second most common type of auto defect. They cause a quarter of crashes related to mechanical failures
• The third major category includes steering, transmission, engine, and suspension system failures. These account for just over 10% of accidents caused by mechanical failures

These defects:

• Increase the risk of accidents
• Increase the risk of serious injury or death in an accident
• Are leading causes for auto defect liability lawsuits

Design Defects in Vehicles

A vehicle manufacturing company will design a new vehicle before they start making it.

During the design process, the company is supposed to make sure the design is safe. If it’s unstable, or has an unsafe fuel system, it could cause serious accidents.

These defects, if they do make it past the manufacturing stage, are grounds for automotive product liability claims.

Manufacturing Defects

Manufacturing defects happen when the company is making or assembling vehicle parts. 

Perhaps the brakes aren’t installed properly. Or the tire isn’t fitted on quite right. 

If your accident happened because of a manufacturing mistake, you can file a defective vehicle claim. 

Failure to Warn or Inadequate Instructions

Manufacturers have to warn people about any risks involved in using the company’s products. It’s the law.

If the manufacturer didn’t warn you about something, or didn’t give clear instructions on how to maintain or drive your vehicle, you can sue for auto products liability. 

Who Can Be Held Liable in an Auto Defect Liability Case?

Who’s to blame in an auto defect liability case? It could be:

• The designer
• The manufacturer
• The company that made the parts for your vehicle
• The distributor
• The dealership

Or maybe more than one company screwed up. 

For example, maybe the design was faulty and the manufacturer knew about it and did nothing. They’re both to blame.

In these types of cases, there’s what’s called “shared liability”. Put simply, it means you sue both guilty parties.

How Auto Defects Cause Serious Vehicle Accidents

A car runs a red light. You hit the brakes. Only to find they suddenly don’t work properly. 

The steering malfunctions on the highway. You can’t control your car. It veers onto a truck’s path.

If you’ve been in an accident that was caused (or made worse by) a defective vehicle, you likely have a strong defective vehicle claim.  

Laws and Regulations Governing Vehicle Safety

The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have regulations that make it clear how companies should:

• Design their vehicles
• Construct vehicles
• How vehicles should work
• How long vehicles (and vehicle components) should last
• How durable parts have to be
• Ensure vehicle systems are safe

On top of that, manufactured vehicles that are later found to be unsafe have to be recalled. At the manufacturer’s expense. 

These laws reduce defects. But problems still happen. Companies make mistakes. Or violate laws. 

Filing Defective Vehicle Claims After an Accident 

• See a doctor. Right away. You need to show how you were hurt and how those injuries will affect you
• Find a good lawyer. Schedule a meeting and explain your concerns
• You (and your lawyer) will start collecting evidence so you know who to sue
• Once you have strong evidence, it’s time to file a lawsuit

The court will hear evidence on how automotive product liability played a role in your accident. It will also hear the other party’s arguments, which will likely seek to place the blame for the accident on you and/or other parties. 

You can settle with the other party at any point before or during trial. If you choose not to settle, a judge or jury will rule on your case. 

Compensation Available in Auto Products Liability Cases

You can claim compensation for:

• • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional Harm

You can also claim punitive damages if:

• You can prove the company has a track record for creating/assembling defective products
• The company was grossly negligent

Compensation can be between four and seven figures. It depends on:

• How badly you were hurt
• How your injuries affect your life long-term
• Whether or not you’re partly to blame for the accident
• How much evidence you have
• How strong your evidence is
• The company’s track record 

Class Action Lawsuits for Auto Defects

If multiple people were affected by a defective vehicle, all the victims can file a class action lawsuit

In a class action lawsuit:

• Your legal costs are lower 
• Your case gets more attention, which pressures the defendants to settle
• You may get more compensation
• Your case will likely lead to a product recall and other legal repercussions for the defendant(s)

However, individual lawsuits also have their benefits:

• You have full control of legal strategy
• If you have a large claim, you may get more compensation than you would from a class action lawsuit
• Your case isn’t likely to show up on the news, allowing you to keep your privacy 

How an Attorney Can Help With Auto Defect Liability Claims  

It’s not easy to file an auto defect liability claim.

But a good lawyer can make it a lot easier than it would have been otherwise.

Your lawyer can:

• Investigate the accident
• Search for evidence proving fault
• Find experts to testify in your favor
• Deal with insurers and other parties on your behalf
• Organize your evidence
• File your case
• Represent you in court and during settlement negotiations 

Lawyers know local laws. They know how the system works. They increase your odds of getting compensated. And increase your odds of earning more compensation than you would on your own.

Conclusion – Protecting Your Rights After a Vehicle Defect Accident

Defective vehicles cause serious injuries. They can also kill people. 

If you were in an accident because of a poorly-made vehicle or vehicle part, you can sue.

If a subpar vehicle or vehicle part made an accident worse, you can sue. 

But you’re going to need evidence. A lot of it. Plus a good lawyer. 

Ledger Law lawyers have:

• Experience
• Expertise
• A winning track record
• And a no win, no fee structure

FAQs About Auto Defect Liability Explained

What is auto defect liability in a car accident case?

It means the accident was caused (or made worse) by a vehicle’s defective design, manufacturing, parts, etc.

What are the most common types of automotive product liability claims?

The most common claims have to do with defective:

• Tires
• Brakes
• Engine
• Steering
• Transmission
• Suspension

Who can be held responsible in defective vehicle claims?

• Vehicle designers
• Vehicle manufacturers
• Vehicle parts manufacturers
• Distributors
• Resellers 

Can I sue a manufacturer for a defective car part that caused an accident?

Yes, if the manufacturer is to blame. 

What evidence is needed to prove auto products liability?

• Evidence of the crash
• Evidence of how the crash affected you
• Crash report
• Police report
• Expert testimony
• Evidence that the company has a lousy safety track record also helps

How much compensation can you receive in an auto defect liability lawsuit?

It can be anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over a million dollars.

What are examples of dangerous vehicle defects that lead to accidents?

Faulty brakes cause accidents because the driver can’t stop the car in time.

Faulty steering can make a vehicle veer in a dangerous direction

Bad tires can immobilize a vehicle 

Malfunctioning airbags won’t protect the driver and front seat passenger if an accident happens

How long do defective vehicle claims usually take to settle?

Automotive product liability defective vehicle claims can take months for simple cases. But many take years.

Are car recalls related to automotive product liability lawsuits?

Sometimes. But not always.

Do I need a lawyer to file an auto defect liability claim?

Legally, no. You can file on your own. But you do need a lawyer to have a good chance of winning.

Emery Ledger

Emery Brett Ledger brings more than 27 years of experience to personal injury law. He founded & led The Ledger Law Firm in securing over $100 million in compensation for clients with life-altering injuries & complex claims. Licensed in California, Texas, & Washington, Emery earned his law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. His practice areas include car & truck accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, maritime claims, & mass tort litigation. He has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100, Mass Tort Trial Lawyers Top 25, and America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys. Emery also received the 2025 Elite Lawyer Award & holds a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating with Platinum Client Champion status. His legal work has been featured on CNN, Forbes, NBC, & ABC.