California Lemon Law Blog

Ford Motor Co. is recalling approximately 150,000 F-150 pickup trucks from the 2005-2006 model years in the United States and Canada. According to NPR, the Ford trucks are being recalled due to the risk of air bags deploying without warning.

Although Ford claims the risk of accidental air bag deployment to be “relatively low”, the government has urged the automaker to recall 1.3 million F-150s from the 2004-2006 model years. The government’s sense of urgency stems from complaints of 98 injuries from air bags deploying inadvertently. The recall is also being closely monitored since Ford’s F-Series pickup truck is the bestselling vehicle in the United States.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is evaluating the recall and Ford’s F-150s to determine if the scope of the recall is too limited. The Ford F-Series pickup truck recall is expected to begin in early March and owners will be informed to take their trucks to dealers for repairs.

Over the last ten years, Ford has recalled more than 10 million vehicles, including the F-Series pickup, to fix a cruise control switch system that was connected to engine fires. Ford has also recalled over 600,000 Windstar minivans in the U.S. and Canada since August to repair rear axles that can corrode and fracture.

No one can anticipate a problem with their vehicle. A reoccurring vehicle problem that cannot be repaired can be even more unexpected. If the problem with your car affects its use, value, or safety and the problem still exists after a reasonable number of repair attempts, you may have a lemon. California lemon law attorney Howard D. Silver is a consumer advocate dedicated to helping vehicle owners obtain successful results with their lemon law claim. To learn more about your legal rights, call The Law Offices of Howard D. Silver at 1-800-49-LEMON for a free consultation.

Toyota has recalled more than 2.2 million vehicles that were not included in previous recalls, according to AOL Daily Finance. The automotive giant stated that the recall was issued in order “to address the potential for unsecured or incompatible floor mat entrapment of the accelerator pedal.” The floor mats in some vehicles may become stuck, while other models have a plastic pad embedded in the floor on the driver’s side which may interfere with the acceleration pedal if the carpet around the pedal is not properly replaced. Additionally, 769,000 other vehicles are being recalled for replacement of the driver's side floor mat and two retention clips.

The models included in the recall are:

• 600,000 2009 4-Runners
• 17,000 2008-2011 model year Lexus LX570s
• 761,000 2006-2010 model year RAV4s
• 20,000 2006-2007 GS 300 and GS 350s
• 372,000 2004-2007 Lexus RX 330, RX 350 and RX 400hs (hybrid)
• 397,000 2004-2006 Highlander and Highlander HVs

Auto manufacturers have a legal responsibility to produce vehicles that are safe for consumer use. However, in some cases, a vehicle may be in the shop for repairs numerous times without the problem ever being fixed. If you have a car that has been in for repairs for the same issue time and again without successful repair of the problem, you may have a lemon vehicle.

Howard D. Silver is an experienced California lemon law attorney who can help you understand your rights and options in the event that your vehicle is a lemon. To schedule a free consultation to learn how Mr. Silver can help you, call 1-866-49-LEMON to discuss your California lemon law case.

An article from ABC Action News reports that Cadillac has announced a recall of over 11,000 of its 2009-2010 CTS models due to a rear suspension problem that can cause the rear wheel to turn freely. The defect is caused by a wax coating on the rear link jam nuts that can make the nuts loosen and separate the toe link. When this occurs, a driver may suddenly lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in an accident.

A representative of General Motors stated that a clanking sound should be a warning to consumers that the nut is loosening. If this occurs, consumers should take their vehicle to a dealership, where the problem will be fixed by cleaning the wax residue and installing two new jam nuts. If necessary, the rear suspension toe link will be replaced as well. Owners are urged to contact GM at 1-866-982-2339 or at http://www.gmownercenter.com to see if their vehicle is included in the recall.

Automobile manufacturers have a responsibility to consumers to produce vehicles that are free of defects. A vehicle with an irreparable problem creates many challenges for a consumer. Some of these hurdles include being without transportation and repair costs, not to mention the physical and emotional toll the stress of the situation can take.

Howard D. Silver is a skilled California lemon law lawyer and has many years of experience helping consumers obtain a replacement vehicle or refund. If you believe your vehicle is a lemon, contact Mr. Silver to learn more about your rights under California’s lemon law. Call 1-800-49-LEMON today.

Many of us rely on our vehicles to get to and from work. In a sense, we depend on our vehicles to make a living. Similarly, farm equipment makes it possible for a business to be successful in providing consumers with desired products in a timely manner. A New Jersey lemon law bill that includes farm equipment has cleared the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee, according to an article on NJ.com. The new bill would apply to any new piece of farm equipment purchased in New Jersey and would financially protect consumers if their equipment is determined to be a lemon.

Currently, New Jersey’s lemon law only covers consumers who purchase a new passenger vehicle or motorcycle in the state. The lemon law does not cover commercial vehicles or motor homes. Consumers are protected for two years from the date they purchase their vehicle or for the first 18,000 miles. In order for a vehicle to be considered a lemon in New Jersey, a specific problem must affect its use, value, or safety. If the current New Jersey lemon law is amended to include farm equipment, owners of farm equipment that are “lemons” may be able to return the machinery for a comparable replacement or a refund of their money.

It is an unfortunate reality that vehicles, and as New Jerseyans have reminded us, farm equipment, often experience reoccurring problems even after a professional has attempted to repair the defect. If you have a vehicle that has been in and out of the repair shop in California for a persistent problem that has yet to be fixed, you may have a lemon. Howard D. Silver is a consumer lawyer who can answer your questions and help you understand your rights under the lemon law in California. Call 1-800-49-LEMON for a free consultation of your lemon law case.

Consumer advocates Clarence Ditlow and Joan Claybrook have challenged results from a new NASA report, which reveal that electronics are not to blame for unintended acceleration in certain Toyota vehicles. According to a CNN article, the advocates argued that NASA did not conduct enough testing since it only examined nine cars. However, the article points out that NASA analyzed owner questionnaires for 9,698 vehicles, including 3,054 Toyotas. NASA engineers also evaluated over 280,000 lines of software code for bugs, thoroughly analyzed mechanical components, and used electromechanical radiation on the vehicles in question.

In March 2010, Ditlow, who is the head of the Center for Auto Safety, accused the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Department of Transportation of missing possible issues with electronic throttle control, computer software, and brake malfunctions.

As many of us know, Toyota recalled 8 million vehicles after NHTSA acknowledged two mechanical defects in affected vehicle models. These defects related to unsuitable floor mats and accelerator pedals that would become stuck. The investigation into potential electronic defects arose after motorists complained about not being able to stop their vehicles in addition to sudden acceleration.

NASA’s report doesn’t necessarily mean that design changes should not be implemented to help lower incidents of unintended acceleration. Regulations are being taken into consideration by NHTSA regarding whether cars should be required to have brake override systems. There is also talk that NHTSA will conduct research into the placement and design of accelerator and brake pedals to help lower the chances of driver error.

Vehicle defects affect a car’s use, value, and safety. As a California lemon law attorney, Howard D. Silver advocates for consumer rights and has the necessary experience to help you successfully handle your lemon vehicle problem. If you believe your vehicle is a lemon, call 1-800-49-LEMON for a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights.