Common Defective Products That Cause Injury

Lady Justice Statuette

Product defects harm many Americans annually, and surged in 2024 with 869 reported incidents and 25 deaths1. This trend is likely to continue, as Q1 of 2025 has shown a 25% increase in the number of product recall events2.

Any time a company manufactures and sells a product to consumers, it has an obligation to make sure the product is safe to use, and to properly warn consumers about any potential safety issues the product may present. Unfortunately, though, this responsibility isn’t always upheld—and as a direct result, consumers may be harmed.

When this happens, injured consumers have the right to file lawsuits, often with the help of a product liability injury lawyer, and to seek accountability for any damages a product defect has caused.

Toxic hair relaxer is an example of a defective product that puts consumers at risk. Some of these preparations are now known to contain hazardous chemicals studies show could raise users’ risk of serious health issues, including cancer. Other common types of defective products include vehicles and auto parts, children’s toys, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and appliances. Let’s  take a closer look at some top examples to help you better understand the risks these dangerous products can pose.

Vehicles and Vehicle Parts

Some of the most common defective auto parts with the potential to cause auto accidents and/or injury to consumers include:

Defective product case example: In the 1970s, a design flaw with the Ford Pinto’s fuel tank created fire risks during rear-end collisions.

Children’s Toys

Common injuries caused by children’s toys include:

  • Choking due to small parts, plastic wrappings, or balloons
  • Strangulation caused by strings and cords
  • Eye injuries attributable to sharp pieces or components
  • Suffocation or strangulation due to poorly designed cribs or inclined baby sleepers

Defective product case example: In the early 2020s, design flaws with the Fisher-Price Rock ’n Play Sleeper were linked to infant deaths.

Pharmaceuticals

Here are some of the most common issues with medications that can endanger consumers:

  • Defective medications can cause adverse side effects, allergic reactions, or even worsen a medical condition, leading to harm or death.
  • Insufficient warning labels may fail to adequately alert users about a drug’s potential risks, harmful interactions with other medications, or side effects.

Defective product case example: In the late 2010s/early 2020s, a cancer-causing impurity in Zantac and other ranitidine drugs created health risks.

Medical Devices

Medical devices with flawed designs, insufficient testing, or manufacturing defects can lead to pain, infections, and other serious health complications in patients, with some of the most common defective medical devices including:

  • Implants
  • Prosthetics
  • Surgical instruments 
  • Robotic surgery systems
  • Pacemakers
  • Defibrillators
  • Surgical mesh

Defective product case examples: In the 2000s and 2010s, metal-on-metal hip implants manufactured by DePuy and Stryker presented health risks due to the release of metal particles into the body over time.

Household Appliances

Leading risks caused by faulty household appliances include burns, fires, shocks, and explosions, all of which can lead to significant injuries for the consumers who use them. Some of the most common defective appliances that present dangers to their users include:

  • Ovens and stoves
  • Refrigerators
  • Microwaves
  • Pressure cookers
  • Blenders
  • Space heaters
  • Ceiling fans

Defective product case example: In the early 2020s, Crock-Pot multi-cookers presented burn risks.

Recreational Equipment

Recreational equipment design flaws or manufacturing defects—or a manufacturer’s failing to adequately warn consumers about the potential risks associated with the use of a product—can result in serious accidents and injuries for users. Here are some common examples of recreational equipment with potential faults that may harm consumers:

  • Trampolines
  • Skateboards
  • Bicycles
  • Treadmills and other exercise equipment
  • Recreational vehicles such as ATVs and boats
  • Playground equipment
  • Climbing gear

Defective product case example: In the early 2020s, Peloton Tread+ treadmills presented entrapment and injury hazards.

Power Tools

Defects in power tools, for example malfunctioning safety switches, missing safety guards, loose fittings, overheating motors, and damaged power cords, can pose risks of serious injuries to consumers, as can a failure to properly warn users about the risks associated with using a power tool. Manufacturing flaws in these common power tools may lead to user harm:

  • Chainsaws
  • Table saws
  • Circular saws
  • Nail guns
  • Grinders
  • Power drills
  • Lawnmowers

Defective product case example: In the early 2020s, a missing blade guard on Makita cordless trimmers created laceration risks.

If you’ve been harmed by a defective product, our lawyers want to hear your story. Bell Legal Group’s team of defective product attorneys takes a science-based approach in collecting the necessary evidence to support a faulty product claim, and will hold liable parties accountable for any damages their products have caused. Share your story with Bell Legal Group today.

_____________________

1. See Consumer Affairs, “Injuries From Unsafe Products Surged in 2024,” April 28, 2025.

2. See Sedgwick, “Number of Recalled Products in the U.S. Rose 25% in Q1 2025,” May 15, 2025.