California Lemon Law Blog

Although we would like to believe that our vehicles are ultimately free of imperfections, this is not always the case. According to a detnews.com article, GM has recalled 22,000 Chevrolet Corvettes due to concerns that the vehicle roof may fly off while being operated.

General Motors informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that its 2005-07 model year Corvettes and Corvette Z06 models contain adhesive between the roof panel and frame that may come apart. GM is supposed to install a redesigned roof panel for affected vehicles as well as reimburse motorists who have already had their roofs repaired or replaced.

GM released the following statement: "If there is a partial separation, the driver may notice one or more symptoms, such as a snapping noise when driving over bumps, wind noise, poor roof panel fit, roof panel movement/bounce when a door or hatch is closed, or a water leak.”

Continue reading "22,000 Chevrolet Corvettes Recalled Over Faulty Roof and Frame Design" »

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It was announced on November 15, 2009 that over 13,500 Sprinter vans sold as Dodge and Freightliner vehicles were being recalled. According to an automotive-fleet.com article, the model vans in question include MY 2002-2003 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and Doge Sprinter 3500.

Based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s report, the intake manifolds in these vehicles may have been destroyed. It is suspected that “under certain conditions”, sulfur in the diesel fuel is capable of creating a chemical reaction, causing sulfuric acid to form in the exhaust channel of the intake manifold. The consequences of the intake manifold decay may contribute to an exhaust gas leak, harm to the fuel return line that could bring about a fuel leak, and heat destruction to the insulation at the front wall.

In addition to Chrysler LLC informing vehicle owners about the recall, van owners may contact Chrysler by calling (800) 853-1403. Auto dealers are supposed to examine and replace the intake manifold at no expense to van owners.

Continue reading "Over 13,500 Sprinter Vans Recalled" »

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Consumers and citizens throughout the U.S. were shocked to hear that 3.8 million vehicles were being recalled by Toyota Motor Corp. due to poorly designed removable floor mats that increased the likelihood of accelerators getting stuck, cars accelerating out of control, and subsequent car accidents. According to a huffingtonpost.com article, this is Toyota’s largest recall to ever take place in the U.S. According to a Toyota spokesman, "A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop a vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death."

As Toyota works with officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find a solution for the faulty floor mat issue, owners of these vehicles have reportedly already been notified of the recall. Also, until the problem is fixed, consumers have been advised to take the removable floor mat out from the driver’s side of the vehicle and not substitute it with a replacement.

So what triggered this recall in the first place? Sadly, a high-speed collision took place in California in August involving an out-of-control Lexus automobile exceeding speeds of 120 mph due to a stuck accelerator. In addition to this tragic accident, NHTSA stated that 102 other incidents were reported regarding accelerators on Toyota vehicles that also may have become stuck due to the faulty floor mats.

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A story published by Reuters recently describes General Motors Corporation’s decision to accept liability for future product defects as one of several concessions the company has made to expedite approval for a quick sale from bankruptcy. GM also said that it would alter the terms of its proposed asset sale to assuage the concerns of over 20 suppliers who objected to specifically the original terms. They also discussed the future of a joint manufacturing plant with Toyota and GM said that it was actively working on a resolution with the other car-manufacturing giant.

General Motors addresses these and several other concerns as part of documents filed in the last week of June 2009 in a New York bankruptcy court. GM has been actively working with Obama administration officials to smooth over many of the problems that arose when the company filed bankruptcy. No fewer than nine state attorney generals had objected to GM’s proposed reorganization because the original terms would have left GM buyers without any protections against product defects under state laws. GM responded by saying that it would continue to honor lemon law claims in California and throughout the nation so that if consumers purchased a defective vehicle, they would be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund.

The outcry over the terms of the bankruptcy caused GM and Obama administration officials to rethink the reorganization of the company and reconsider liability for future product liability claims. In a prepared statement that was part of the bankruptcy court filing, GM said, "The purchaser will expressly assume all product liability claims arising from accidents or other ... incidents arising from the operation of GM vehicles subject to the closing."

GM proposed that a new company be created under the reorganization plan to purchase the company’s best and most economically viable assets, and that the sale would be concluded by August 2009.

Continue reading "General Motors Agrees to Accept Future Product Liability in Bankruptcy Concession" »

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A story from the Los Angeles Times reports that Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota will recall over a million vehicles worldwide in a safety recall. In the United States, this recall will likely affect over 130,000 Toyota Yaris compacts for the 2006 and 2007 model years.

The issue which prompted the recall is found in a piece of equipment called a pretensioner. The pretensioner is a small pyrotechnic device that tightens the seat belt in the Yaris when the onboard sensing equipment registers the possibility of a crash. This device generates a very hot exhaust gas when used.

Unfortunately, on the 2006 and 2007 model Yaris, a sound insulation pad on the central pillar is in danger of being ignited by the exhaust gases of the pretensioner. Although no incidents associated with this defect have occurred in the United States, the manufacturer wishes to work fully with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to repair the problem.

Continue reading "Toyota Recalls 1.3 Million Cars" »

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On December 17, 2008, Big Three auto manufacturer, General Motors, began the recall of a small number (77) of 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrids

The recall is based on cars failing to comply with a federal vehicle safety standard for windshield defogging and defrosting. In the affected vehicles, the heating and air conditioning system that keeps the windshield clear may fail to operate. If this happens while the car is on the road, the driver may not be able to see clearly and could crash as a result.

The recall will send the affected Malibu cars to a Chevy dealer, where the computer module that controls the heating and air conditioning system will be reprogrammed.

GM’s recall illustrates the care that auto manufacturers must take to ensure that a vehicle meets safety standards. Lemon laws in California help protect consumers who have unknowingly purchased cars that fail to meet standards of performance or safety.

Continue reading "GM Recalls Malibu Hybrids" »

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall for 2007 Mazda automobiles with California emissions systems.

According to the NHTSA recall notice, the protective PVC coating found on the outside of the fuel tank of the 2007 Mazda may have been damaged during the assembly process. The PVC coating acts as a barrier against coercion. If the PVC coating is breached, it may allow rust to weaken the tank causing fuel leaks and increasing the risk of fire.

As part of the recall, Mazda dealers will inspect the protective coating on the bottom of the fuel tank for damage. If damage is discovered, the fuel tank coating will be repaired; or if necessary, the fuel tank itself will be replaced.

Continue reading "7,200 Mazda Cars Recalled: Fuel Leaks, Fire Hazard" »

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Although the total number of vehicles recalled by the auto industry in 2008 declined, the total number of recall campaigns increased, reports David Shepardson at detnews.com.

Automobile manufacturers recalled 10.2 million vehicles during 2008—a decrease of almost 30 percent. Yet the total number of recall campaigns increased by over 9 percent, from 588 to 642.

This seemingly contrary situation has been created by a number of factors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), improvements to the system which monitors vehicle defects deserve a portion of the credit. By gathering a more complete picture about the reliability and safety of cars, the NHTSA is better able to recommend corrective actions to manufacturers and dictate corrective action as necessary.

Continue reading "Fewer Vehicles Recalled by Manufacturers in 2008" »

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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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BMW has recalled about 150,000 vehicles to fix a possible auto part defect that may prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying during an auto accident. According to a Reuters news report, this voluntary recall involves the front passenger airbag seat sensor mat in some of the 2004 to 2006 model year vehicles. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), following an investigation said that there were 200,000 of these BMWs with defective airbags in North America. In response, the German auto maker says 50,000 of these vehicles already received new sensor mats, which work the way they’re supposed to.

BMW models that will be affected by this recall include the 2006 3-Series, 2004-06 5-Series and 2004-06 X3 vehicles. Expect the recall letters to arrive in your mailbox starting in late September. They say car owners affected by this recall may continue to drive their vehicles unless the airbag warning lamp and passenger airbag “on-off” lamp illuminate at the same time.

Vehicle manufacturing defects do happen. Sometimes, manufacturers issue recalls and offer to fix the problem for free. If you believe you own a defective vehicle or a lemon that you’ve tried to fix, call the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver to find out how you can get rid of your California lemon auto and obtain a refund or a replacement vehicle in its place.

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