A recall is helpful, but not by itself decisive. A recall is essentially an acknowledgment that a product had a problem, so it can be strong evidence that the product was defective and that the maker was aware of a danger. That can meaningfully strengthen a claim.
But a recall does not automatically win a case. You still have to prove that the specific defect caused your injury. A product can be recalled for a reason unrelated to how you were hurt, so the connection between the defect and the injury still has to be established.
The reverse is also true: the absence of a recall does not mean a product was safe. Many defective products are never recalled. So while a recall is useful, a claim ultimately turns on the defect and causation — and, importantly, the deadlines apply whether or not there was a recall.