General Motors announced a major recall on Friday over a number of midsized sedans from Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Saturn to fix a transmission issue that has the potential to cause cars to unexpectedly roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle.

The recall affects more than 426,000 models, including the Saturn Aura from the 2007-2010 model years, and the 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6, all equipped with the 4-speed automatic transmission option and sold in the United States.

According to GM, the danger comes from tabs on the transmission shaft cable-end which have the potential to fracture and separate from the rest of the car. This fracturing can put the transmission shift lever out of sync with the actual position of the transmission gear.

This can lead to situations where the vehicle appears to be in park, but is actually in another gear. This can cause cars to unexpectedly roll away after drivers have left the vehicle, as it is assumed that the wheels have been locked in place.

GM has reported that at this time at least four accidents have been caused by the issue, but none of them resulted in any injuries to those involved.

A fix is being offered to all owners of those affected vehicles, who are being asked to take their vehicle to the nearest participating dealer where technicians will install a retainer over the cable end (or replace the shift cable entirely) at no charge.

Accidents caused by faulty or defective vehicle components can be incredibly damaging, as they can appear through no fault of you or anyone else on the road. These kinds of accidents can reveal themselves at any time, often with no warning of the impending danger.

In situations like this, there are legal options available to victims who have suffered damages as a result of faulty car parts. Through the help of a highly trained Orange County car accident lawyer, compensation can be recovered to pay off any outstanding medical bills or car repair payments that have been laid on you as a result of the crash.

At AA Accident Attorneys, we understand the dangers you face and can fight for what you need, both as legal professionals and as neighbors who drive the same cars and live in the same communities. We can help you compile the best case and lead you through the complicated legal process.

As always, we will not charge you a thing for our legal services until your case has been won. Call our accident lawyers today for a free evaluation and to learn what options are available to you!