California Lemon Law Blog

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., is recalling approximately 2,560 of its motorcycles on account of a problem with wiring in the electrical system. According to SaferCar.gov, the recall involves the following vehicles, all from the 2011 model year:

• Kawasaki ZX1000JBFL
• Kawasaki ZX1000JBL
• Kawasaki ZX1000KBFL
• Kawasaki ZX1000KBL

The recall was prompted after it was discovered that it is possible for a piece of the vehicle’s wiring harness to become pinched in between the rear fender and the rear subframe or in between the bolt that holds the seat cover and the rear subframe. If this occurs, it can significantly damage the wiring and harness, and may result in a short between the frame and the wires or within the wires. As a consequence, the motorcycle’s engine could stop suddenly and an accident could take place.

To remedy the defect, affected vehicle owners will be notified of the problem by Kawasaki. A dealer notification schedule has not yet been provided by the manufacturer. Owners will be instructed to take their motorcycle to a dealer, where the main harness will be rerouted and the vehicle will be repaired as necessary. The repair will be done at no cost to owners. For more information, owners can contact the Consumer Services Department of Kawasaki at 1-866-802-9381. The Vehicle Safety Hotline of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may also be contacted at 1-888-327-4236.

Many consumers may not realize that if their motorcycle is a lemon they are eligible to receive a new bike or their money back. Lawyer Howard D. Silver can help you determine whether your motorcycle is a lemon and explain the legal options available to you. To learn more, call 1-866-49-LEMON.

The Dayton Daily News reports that Ohio has revised its laws regarding lemon vehicles in response to the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. The revision indefinitely extends the time a manufacturer has to locate spare parts.

The revised law extends the time an automaker has to repair a vehicle deemed to be a lemon. According to a spokesperson for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the move was in response to the recent Japanese disaster, which prompted a parts shortage. As a result, many vehicle manufacturers weren’t able to repair problems during the mandated 30-day time period.

To be eligible for coverage under Ohio’s lemon law, a vehicle must be less than a year old and have less than 18,000 miles, in addition to having one or more problems covered by the warranty that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle must meet one of four requirements to be deemed a lemon. Before the law was revised, if a vehicle was in a repair shop for a cumulative total of 30 days, it could be considered a lemon. The owner would be able to request a replacement vehicle or a refund of their money. Now, the exemption lengthens that time for an indefinite period should a natural disaster occur.

Howard D. Silver is a lemon law attorney in the Los Angeles area and helps consumers throughout Southern California with issues relating to lemon vehicles. If your vehicle has given you significant problems that affect its use, value, or safety, call Mr. Silver to learn more about your legal rights. Call 1-866-49-LEMON to find out more about California’s lemon law.

Chrysler recently announced the recall of approximately 242,780 Dodge Ram trucks for a problem with the tie rod assembly. The following vehicles are included in the recall:

• Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 vehicles from model year 2008
• Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4x4 vehicles from model years 2003 through 2011
• Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4x2 vehicles from model years 2008 through 2011

The recall was issued after it was discovered the left tie rod ball stud in the affected vehicles may fracture, which the manufacturer reports often occurs during parking lot-related moves made at low speeds, such as when the driver is making a tight, narrow turn. In addition, Dodge Ram 2500/3500 vehicles from model years 2003 through 2008 may have been given the defective tie rod assembly as substitute parts during routine service. Due to the condition, the affected vehicles may lose directional stability in the left hand front wheel, which increases the danger of an accident occurring.

To remedy the defect, dealers will examine the tie rod ends of the affected vehicles for relative orientation and will substitute the left outer tie rod as needed. A front end toe alignment may also be done, if required. The remedy will be conducted at no cost to consumers.

Consumers with questions can call Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 and reference safety recall number L16. To learn more about the recall, the Vehicle Safety Hotline of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can also be called at 1-888-327-4236, and http://www.SaferCar.gov can be visited.

It is expected that car manufacturers will design, create, and sell vehicles that are free of defects and do not present any dangers to consumers. However, that is not always the case, and if a non-conformity affects the use, value, or safety of a vehicle, it could be a lemon. Consumers are given certain rights under the lemon law in California and may be eligible for a refund of their money or a replacement vehicle, if their situation qualifies for coverage under the law. Howard D. Silver is a lemon law attorney in Southern California who has protected the rights of wronged consumers since 1987. Call 1-866-49-LEMON to find out how Mr. Silver can help you.

Recently, SB 132, a bill before the Missouri Senate, was signed by Governor Jay Nixon. The bill addresses fraudulent motor vehicle warranties and contracts, reports The Wentzville Patch. The legislation also deals with vehicle licensing, the suspension and revocation of licenses, the registry of motor vehicles, and deceptive business practices. The new law takes effect January 1, 2012.

According to the article, motor vehicle warranty fraud is a big problem in Missouri. The attorney general’s office has received hundreds of complaints from consumers in the state who have been scammed by deceptive salespeople who are unregistered and blatantly lied to consumers about their vehicle warranties. The bill will allow consumers to confirm that they are buying an honest, and fair motor vehicle warranty and requires certain documentation to be filed at the time of purchase. Consumers must also receive a copy of the terms prior to the sale. Additionally, the bill bans companies or individuals from using false, misleading, or deceptive practices in relation to motor vehicle extended service contract programs. Restitution is available for victims of these practices. The bill also clarifies the rights of consumers if they decide to cancel a motor vehicle service contract.

The attorney general’s office worked extensively with the Service Contract Industry Council (SCIC) to create and implement new for the licensing of businesses and individuals that sell motor vehicle service contracts. The state has become a target for deceptive telemarketing and direct mail campaigns, which will be monitoring the sale of service contracts to make sure individuals and businesses are in compliance with the new law.

Businesses are required to treat consumers fairly and honestly, but unfortunately, many attempt to take advantage of consumers for their own gain. Lawyer Howard D. Silver can help you understand your legal rights if you believe you are a victim of deceptive business practices in California. Call 1-866-49-LEMON to get started with Mr. Silver now.

Starting in July of 2006, consumers purchasing a used vehicle in California were given new protections under the Used Car Buyers Bill of Rights. The following are some of the protections, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs:

• The consumer’s right to cancel the sale. For used vehicles that cost less than $40,000.00, consumers have the right to cancel the sale within two days if they change their mind about the purchase. Depending on the vehicle’s price, the fee for this option is between $75 and one percent of the purchase price for vehicles costing more than $30,000.00 but not more than $39, 999.99. Additionally, if the consumer returns the vehicle, the dealer can charge a restocking fee between $175 and $500 minus the cancellation fee.
• Written disclosure about your credit score. Dealers must provide a “Notice to Vehicle Credit Applicant” document, which discloses:
  
  • The credit score obtained and used by the dealer and the name of the credit reporting agency providing the credit score to the dealer;
  
  
  • The range of possible credit scores established by the credit reporting agency that provided the credit score;
  
  
  • The address and telephone number of each credit reporting agency providing a credit score that was obtained and used by the dealer.
• Finance fee caps. If a dealer obtains financing on your behalf, the dealer compensation from an institution financing the purchase of a vehicle is limited to no more than:
  
  • 2 percent of the purchase amount for contracts with a term of more than 60 months; or
  
  
  • 2.5 percent of the purchase amount for contracts with a term of 60 months or less.

This limitation does not apply when the assignment requires the dealer to bear the entire risk of financial performance for you or when the assignment is more than six months after the date of the conditional sales contract.

Consumers are granted certain rights under the California lemon law that offer them protection if they purchase a sub-standard vehicle. If you believe you have purchased a lemon vehicle in California, contact Howard D. Silver at 1-866-49-LEMON to learn how Mr. Silver can protect your rights today.

Ducati North America has announced a recall of 964 Diavel motorcycles from model year 2011 due to an equipment problem. The bikes were manufactured between September of 2010 and May of 2011.

The problem exists with the brass inserts that are installed in the chain guard. The inserts may become deformed over time, which may result in the potential loosening of the license plate holder retaining screws on the rear swing-arm. As a result, the license plate holder may become loose during normal operation of the motorcycle. Should this occur, it may interfere with the vehicle’s rear wheel rotation, therefore increasing the risk of an accident.

Owners of the recalled motorcycles will be instructed to take the bike to a Ducati dealer, where the chain guard will be replaced with an updated version that is made with steel inserts. The repair will be done at no cost to consumers. It is expected the recall will start sometime during July.

Consumers with questions can contact Ducati at 1-800-231-6696 and reference Ducati safety recall number RCL-11-002. They may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit http://www.safercar.gov.

Many consumers are not aware that they are offered protection under California's lemon law if they purchase a new motorcycle with a defect that impairs its use, value, or safety. They may be eligible for a replacement bike or a refund of their money. If you believe your new motorcycle is a lemon, contact Howard D. Silver,California motorcycle lemon law attorney. Mr. Silver can analyze the specifics of your situation in order to determine whether you have a valid claim. Call 1-866-49-LEMON to find out how Mr. Silver can help you today.

Forbes reports that Toyota has issued a recall of over 81,000 Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles due to an electrical problem that leads to a blown fuse.

Approximately 45,500 Highlander Hybrids and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles from 2006 and 2007 model years are being recalled because the hybrid system’s Intelligent Power Module may not have been properly put together. Transistors that are not correctly soldered on control boards may heat up, and the power supply fuse could blow, shutting down the hybrid system and cause the vehicle to coast to a stop. According to the automaker, in less serious cases, warning lamps may light up and vehicles may switch to fail-safe driving mode, resulting in reduced power. When this occurs, the vehicles may only be driven for short distances.

As of yet, Toyota does not have the parts needed to repair the affected vehicles. When parts are available, owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for a free inspection and repairs, if needed. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July. Vehicle owners can check their vehicle identification number (VIN) with Toyota’s database at http://www.toyota.com/owners/sscinfo to find whether their vehicle is being recalled.

Consumers expect automakers to manufacture vehicles that are free of defects and safe for them to use. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and if a defect impairs a vehicle’s use, value, or safety, it may be a lemon. Howard D. Silver is a Southern California automobile lemon law attorney who has been protecting the rights of consumers since 1987. Call 1-866-49-LEMON to have Mr. Silver get started on protecting your rights today.

With gas prices on the rise again, it is tempting to consider trading in a gas guzzling car for something more fuel efficient. An article in Consumer Reports Magazine gives some points to consider before making the switch.

First, calculate if the savings in gas costs will offset the depreciation of a new car. Depreciation accounts for almost half the cost of owning a car in the first five years. You have already paid the depreciation on the car you own and will have to pay it again on a new car. These costs usually are larger than the gas savings you could achieve.

Second, consider the size of your car and your needs. Fuel efficient cars are usually smaller than gas hogs. If the smaller car can’t fit all of the people or things you need to carry, it may not be a worthwhile trade.

Third, keep in mind that real-world miles per gallon (mpg) may differ from advertised EPA highway mileage. You may not actually save as much gas as you hope.

If you decide to switch to a higher mpg car, think about purchasing a used one. You will not have to pay the depreciation costs of a new car, you will save money on the purchase price and you will have a larger variety of vehicles to choose from at your price point.

Of course, when buying any car, it is important to evaluate the car carefully to check for defects or problems before you purchase it. Even when consumers are diligent, they can end up with a lemon vehicle. If the use, value or safety of your car has been affected by a flaw that cannot be fixed, contact California lemon law attorney, Howard D. Silver. To learn how Mr. Silver can help you, call 1-866-49-LEMON.