California Lemon Law Blog

NHTSA Alert: More Than 5 Million Cars and Trucks Still on the Road with Dangerous Cruise Control Switch Defects

According to a National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration release dated February 28th, 2008, owners of Mercury, Lincoln, and Ford vehicles are potentially at risk for faulty cruise control switches. The survey numbers suggest that the number of defective vehicles may approach 10 million. Although half of these vehicles have already been recalled/fixed as of this writing, as many as 5 million defective vehicles may be out there on the road.

These autos/trucks may be at a significantly heightened risk for fire danger. Fires can start regardless of whether the cruise control system is in use, or even whether the key is in the ignition. Indeed, some blazes have started "spontaneously" while vehicles were parked and turned off.

Affected makes and models include: the Ford Grand Victoria (1992-1998 models), the Lincoln Blackwood (2002-2003 models), the Lincoln Navigator (1998-2002 models), and the Ford Excursion Super Duty F-250 to F-550 models from 2003. If you own a Bronco, Ford Ranger, Ford Taurus, Mercury Mountaineer, Mercury Grand Marquis, or Ford F-53 Motorhome, contact your dealership or NHTSA for more information regarding whether or not you may be at risk.

If you or a family member has been injured due to faulty cruise control switch or other maintenance issue, you may be entitled to compensation under the law. To make your best case, you need a legal representative to who has talent, experience, and strategic vision. Contact the law offices of Howard D. Silver today at 1-866-495-3666 to learn more about your options from an experienced California lemon law attorney. Our time-tested attorneys will provide a free, no-obligation consultation. We're happy to provide references and testimonials upon request.

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Posted In: Auto Product Recalls

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Digital Odometers Cost Consumers More Than a Billion Dollars per Year

According to a recent article by Chris Woodyard in USA Today, used car fraud scams associated with recalibrating digital odometers are proliferating at an alarming rate. The National Highway Safety Administration has come out with several key studies to support this trend and suggest that nearly half-a-million consumers every year get duped. Scammers often get software and other technical components off the web to reset their digital odometers to make it appear as if vehicles have lower mileage than they actually do.

Fortunately, there are services that used car buyers can use to avoid being defrauded in this way. You can check a car's service record at www.carfax.com or check out oil-change stickers prior to buying a car. Finally, you can have a professional mechanic inspect a vehicle before you purchase it.

In addition, cities have been implementing measures to protect consumers. In Kansas City, Missouri, a high-profile auto sales person recently got busted perpetrating an odometer fraud scam in a highly publicized case. In Philadelphia, a triumvirate of auto wholesalers were recently sentenced for similar misdoings. In Dallas, Texas, another dealer was recently sentenced in U.S. District Court for similar abuses.

If you've been scammed or otherwise financially harmed by odometer fraud or another consumer scam, turn to a California used car fraud attorney at the law offices of Howard Silver. We can help you hold the scammers responsible for costs you've incurred, and we provide free, zero obligation evaluations of all cases. To fight back against dealer dishonesty, browse our website or call our toll-free hotline 1-866-495-3666 today for more information.

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Posted In: Used Car Fraud

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Family Feud over Online Honda Sales

For years, the owners of Saccucci Honda (located in Middletown, Rhode Island) struggled to compete with behemoth dealerships, such as Boch Honda, the most famous Southern New England Honda dealership. The owners of Saccucci Honda, an 83-year-old grandmother and her two adult (50s) daughters, were using traditional means to drum up business – to little success. Then the family struck upon a brilliant idea -- empower a grandson of the clan, computer geek and entrepreneur Gardiner Reynolds, to sell extended warranties over the web at sites like www.hondapartsdealer.com and www.myhondawarranty.com.

Gardiner’s intuitive plan helped put Saccucci Honda on the map. By leveraging the power of the web and implementing unique and cost-effective strategies to optimize volume, Reynolds stole business from much bigger dealerships that felt were the victim of an unfair business practice.

Saccucci Honda's success online did not sit well with all members of the extended Honda family. The company's National Dealer Advisory Board voted to stop Saccucci Honda from selling volume-extended service contracts over the web. But the “Little Dealership That Could” fought back and got a restraining order, and the internecine battle continued.

If you’ve been having difficulties dealing with an automobile dealership, mechanic shop, or online retailer, you do have options. Trust the law offices of Howard D. Silver to unpack your legal alternatives and help you develop a strategy to recover damages lost due to unfair practices, unethical conduct, fraud, or defective products. Howard Silver and his California unfair business practice attorney colleagues have fought and won complex cases for decades, and we have the resources and experience to help you get a square deal. Contact us today at 1-866-495-3666 for a free analysis of your legal options.

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Posted In: Unfair/ Deceptive Business Practices

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