Can You Sue a Car Manufacturer for a Defective Auto Part in Illinois?

 Posted on April 11, 2026 in Personal Injury

When a car accident happens, most people ask who was driving. However, what if the crash was caused by a defective part? A faulty brake, a bad tire, or a defective airbag can cause a serious crash even when a driver does nothing wrong. If a defective product caused your car accident injuries, you may have a claim against the product’s manufacturer, not just the other driver. An Orland Park, IL product liability attorney can help you figure out what went wrong and pursue the full compensation you are owed.

What Kinds of Defective Auto Parts Lead to Injury Claims in Illinois?

Auto parts can fail in ways that are not obvious until it is too late. Common defective parts involved in Illinois injury claims include:

• Brakes: Defective brake pads, rotors, or hydraulic systems can make it impossible to stop in time, even when a driver reacts correctly.

• Tires: Tread separation, blowouts from manufacturing flaws, and weak sidewalls can cause a driver to lose control without any warning.

• Airbags: A defective airbag may fail to deploy, go off at the wrong time, or rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin.

• Steering components: A failure in the power steering system or tie rods can cause a driver to lose control with no warning.

• Fuel system parts: Defects in fuel lines or tanks can lead to fires or explosions after a crash that might otherwise have been minor.

These are not rare problems. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 29 million vehicles were recalled for safety defects in 2024 alone. That means millions of drivers are on the road in cars with known issues, and many more are driving vehicles with defects that have not been identified yet. If a faulty part caused your crash, you may have a product liability claim even if no recall was ever issued.

How Does Illinois Law Handle Defective Auto Part Claims?

Illinois law allows you to bring a product liability claim based on strict liability, which means you do not have to prove the manufacturer was careless. You must show the auto part was unreasonably dangerous, that the problem existed when it left the defendant’s control, and that it caused your injuries.

Defects fall into three categories:

• Design defects: The part was unsafe by design, meaning every unit made from that design has the same problem.

• Manufacturing defects: The design was fine, but something went wrong during production.

• Warning defects: The manufacturer did not give enough warning about a known risk.

Illinois law also lets you pursue claims against multiple parties, including the manufacturer, distributor, and, in some cases, the dealership that sold the vehicle.  If your case includes a seller or dealership, 735 ILCS 5/2-621 may affect whether that party stays in the case.

Can You Still Sue a Manufacturer if Another Driver Caused Your Illinois Car Crash?

Many crashes involve more than one cause. A distracted driver may have started the chain of events, but a tire blowout or brake failure may have made the outcome much worse.

Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Even if another driver shares some blame for the crash, you may still recover compensation from the manufacturer if a defective part also played a role. Your payout may be reduced by your share of fault, but you are not blocked from filing a product liability claim at the same time as a car accident claim.

How Do You Prove a Car Part Was Defective After a Crash in Illinois?

Building a product liability case after a car accident takes fast action. Useful evidence includes:

• The damaged vehicle and its parts were preserved and not repaired before an inspection.

• Maintenance records showing the part was properly cared for.

• NHTSA recall and complaint data, which may show a history of the same failure.

• Expert opinions from engineers or automotive safety professionals.

• The police report and photos from the crash scene.

Evidence can disappear quickly after a crash. Reaching out to an attorney right away puts you in the strongest position to recover what you lost.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Orland Park, IL Product Liability Attorney

If you were hurt in a crash and think a defective auto part played a role, you deserve an attorney who will take your case seriously from day one. Attorney Barker is a local solo practitioner in Orland Park, which means he handles every case personally. Your case will never be handed off to a paralegal or junior associate, no matter how big or small it is. Contact a Cook County, IL car accident lawyer at Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C. today for a free consultation. Call 708-321-1223.