If the circumstances of your case allow it, you can - but it depends on what you are going through. The cause of some auto defects isn’t always apparent; it might have been an issue with the manufacturing process or an unintended consequence of a material change. You may not always have a viable claim if the manufacturer discovers the issue, informs the public, and then fixes it in good faith.
A successful claim requires that you show:
There was a problem, but the manufacturer didn’t fix it before they sold the cars, or
Despite knowing there was a problem, the manufacturer didn’t recall the cars.
There was a problem that the manufacturer tried to cover up, or they hid it from the consumer.
Once they discovered the problem, the manufacturer did not recall the cars or attempt to fix older and newer models.
You must prove the manufacturer's negligence. The owner of a recalled car who chooses not to repair it cannot always file a claim if the manufacturer recalled the car for a defect.