Using publicly available data from the NHTSA, manufacturer early warning reports, and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), The Safety Institute release a list of vehicles which they feel show early signs of potential problems. According to The Safety Institute’s most recent quarterly vehicle safety watch list, released in October 2014, the Toyota Sienna shows repeated problems affecting the power train and suspension. Continue reading
Category Archives: California Lemon Law
2011 Volvo S40 Buyback For Repeated Repair Attempts
The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. were contacted by a California resident looking for advice about his defective 2011 Volvo S40. He told us he was experiencing electrical problems that resulted in a “no start” condition and a driver’s seat that would not operate properly. He had given his Volvo dealership twelve (12) opportunities to repair the defects, but the problems remained. Continue reading
Used Vehicles With Recalls Continue To Be Sold
A Fresno, California man says he may have died after buying a used 2009 Dodge RAM with an open recall on it. The vehicle had undergone a 125 point inspection, but after owning it for approximately four months, the drive shaft separated from the rear axle while he was driving on Highway 41. According to the general sales manager of the dealership, the missed recall was a case of human error, but an Action News investigation shows that the problem is wide spread with dealerships across the Valley. Continue reading
2015 Cadillac Escalade Inconsistent Airbag Deployment
Certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV SUVs could fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Standard (FMVSS) for occupant crash protection. According to reports filed on the NHTSA website, the passenger side instrument panel top cover may have been manufactured with inadequate adhesion between the spacer fabric and the vinyl show surface. The problem could result in the airbag not deploying consistently, increasing the chance of injury to the front passenger. Continue reading
Volkswagen Beetle & Jetta Loss Of Vehicle Control
Volkswagen Group of America will be notifying owners of certain 2011-2013 Jetta and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles of a safety defect that could result in loss of vehicle control. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the durability of the trailing arm on one or both rear axles could be reduced during a rear or side rear impact crash. If this problem is not correctly diagnosed and repaired it could lead to a sudden complete fracture of the trailing arm and an increased chance of an accident. Continue reading
Takata Airbag Defects Expanding
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are demanding that airbag manufacturer, Takata Industries along with automobile manufacturer’s BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota, expand their airbag recall to include vehicles beyond the initial geographical areas. This decision comes after a recent driver’s side air bag failure in a vehicle outside the current regional recall area, previous fatalities, and many injuries that have been linked to the problem. Continue reading
2013 Chrysler Town & Country Buyback For Electrical Defects
After trying to have her 2013 Chrysler Town & Country defects repaired, a California resident decided to call the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. for advice. She told us she had given her dealership six (6) opportunities to fix electrical problems that would cause the malfunction indicator light to constantly remain on. The dealership was already aware of the problem, as two technical service bulletins (TSB) had been issued by Chrysler informing technicians that software reprogramming and selective erasing could be a fix. (NHTSA ID: 10054201, Service Bulletin No.: SB-18-048-13 and NHTSA ID 10054169, Service Bulletin No.: SB-18-029-13.) Unfortunately, they still could not fix her minivan. Continue reading
Audi A4, S4, and AllRoad Airbag Defect
Volkswagen will be asking approximately one hundred thousand owners of certain 2013-2015 Audi A4 and S4 sedans and 2013-2015 Audi AllRoad crossovers, to return their vehicles to the manufacturer to have the airbag control software updated. During routine testing, the manufacturer identified a potential issue with the frontal airbag system deployment parameters which could result in the front airbags not deploying during a second impact, after the side airbags have been deployed. This problem could result in increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants. Continue reading
