California is working to keep potentially hazardous salvaged vehicles off the road with the implementation of the states first salvage title law. The new law, scheduled to go into effect starting July 1, 2012, requires all new and used car dealers to report and check vehicle titles through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). The data base will be be maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice, and all insurance agencies, salvage yards, car dealerships, tow companies, body shops, and state motor vehicle departments will be required to report any salvage, junk, or flood title vehicles. Automobile dealerships, or anyone selling more than five used cars a year, must acquire the vehicle history report through the NMVTIS, and any salvaged or repaired salvaged vehicles will be branded. Private sales are not required to have the NMVTIS report, so buyers should be extra cautious when buying privately. Information on vehicles can be obtained through the NMVTIS, AutoCheck®, or CarFax. Currently, almost 90% of the U.S. DMV data is represented in the NMVTIS system.
Tag Archives: California Lemon Law
Check Engine Light Problems
Since the early 1980’s, computers have increasingly controlled and monitored vehicle systems and performance. When the computer finds a problem with your vehicle, it notifies the driver, and stores a “trouble code” in its memory that can later be read by a technician. One of the most misunderstood warnings of a vehicles performance monitoring system is the “check engine” light. While most illuminated “check engine” lights don’t mean your vehicle is experiencing a catastrophic problem, ignoring it often results in expensive repairs. If your “check engine” light does come on, here are some tips on what you should do:
- Look for signs that that problem requires immediate attention: Foreign noises, illuminated dashboard lights, overheating engine, or low oil pressure means you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as it is safe to do so.
- Check your gas cap: Today’s vehicles are monitored for fuel efficiency and emissions, and a loose or broken gas cap means gas can evaporate, wasting fuel. Today’s vehicles will warn you with a “check engine” light, if the efficiency standards are not being met. (Other efficiency and emission problems include bad spark plugs, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter and the air flow sensor.)
- If you have a 1997 or later General Motors vehicle and have an OnStar subscription, the people at OnStar can remotely read your vehicles trouble codes and tell you how serious the problem is.
- Reduce speed and load. This will most likely not get rid of the “check engine” light, but reducing the speed and load on the vehicle could reduce damage to your engine, only if you have no other choice but to drive it.
Have the code read and the problem fixed as soon as possible. Some automotive parts stores will read and interpret the code for you free of charge, or automobile parts stores will sell the tools and instructions to hook up and decipher the codes.
CA Auto Bill Wants New Rules For Dealerships
California lawmakers are are hoping to protect working families by imposing tough new rules on “Buy Here Pay Here” automobile dealerships. Assemblyman Mike Feuer introduced the bill last week saying that it would limit unfair sales and collection practices used by these dealerships. Some of the changes include:
- Dealerships would be required to display the price of the vehicles on the car where customers can see it.
- Customers would not be forced to make payments in person at the dealership.
- Dealers would not be allowed to call personal references after the sale is complete.
- Dealerships would not be allowed to install GPS trackers or devices that can remotely shut down vehicles.
Lobbyist for the Independent Automobile Dealers Assn. of California, say that enforcement, rather than new regulations, would be a better way to handle problems with Buy Here Pay Here dealers. They say that the new bill would impose additional costs on all dealerships, putting legitimate dealers out of business. In the end, people with bad credit will find it even harder to get an affordable and reliable vehicle.
GM Still Covering Saab Warranties
A rescue plan to save Saab has hit another road block as General Motors decides to stop supplying Saab 9-4X vehicles as well as automobile technology to Saab’s Chinese owners. According to GM, Saab’s third quarter results showed that it is not in the best interest of GM shareholders to continue investing time and money into the company. While Saab Cars North America has suspended warranty coverage on vehicles, GM says they will continue to cover any warranty remaining on Saab vehicles sold under GM ownership. This includes any 2009 and earlier model vehicles sold in the US and Canada.
Saab Cars North America has told owners of newer vehicles to keep receipts of all related warranty work or services performed until further notice. They said they are suspending the processing and payment of all claims, including recalls, towing, certified pre-owned coverage and no-charge maintenance until further direction from Saab Automobile AB, and that any unsold vehicles still sitting on dealers lots will be sold “as is”.
Saab has not filed for either Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which would lead to the liquidation of the company, or for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which would result in the reorganization of the company under court supervision and protection from creditors.
Ford Shift Interlock Switch Problem
Ford is recalling certain 2011-2012 F-Series pickup trucks, for a problem with the brake shift interlock switch. The interlock switch may allow the driver to shift out of “park” without pressing the brake pedal. The vehicle could lunge forward unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash and and injury to pedestrians and other vehicles nearby. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. The vehicles involved in the recall include:
- 2011-2012 F-150
- 2012 F-250
- 2012 F-350
- 2012 F-450
- 2012 F-550 Heavy Duty
Federal Bill Increases Recall Fines
Automobile manufacturers, dealers, rental companies and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have lost their fight against a federal bill that will significantly increase automaker fines for companies who delay automobile recalls. Currently, the maximum fine is just over $17 million, but once the bill goes into effect, the fines could go as high as $200 million. According to groups opposing the bill, “The increases are completely out of proportion to the current penalty structure for manufacturers under the Consumer Product Safety Act.” The bill was introduced in response to unintended acceleration recalls by Toyota in 2009-2010. Even though Toyota vehicles were cleared of electronic flaws causing unintended acceleration, the company ended up paying maximum fines for recall delays.
Other provisions of the bill include an increase in the maximum fine for odometer fraud; new regulations for vehicle pedal placement and push-button ignition; an improved recall database and website; and an anonymous complaint hot line for auto workers, dealers and mechanics to report vehicle safety problems.
California Lemon Law Buybacks
Here at the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, we represent our clients to the highest legal standards. With over 24 years of helping California consumers, we have successfully represented thousands of clients throughout the state in all types of lemon law cases, with all vehicle manufacturers. We are especially proud of the fact that in more than 9 out of 10 of these cases we are able to reach satisfactory settlements without litigation, making the settlements fast and stress free for our clients. The high standards we have set to represent only those clients with legitimate lemon law claims means that we do not compromise our integrity or reputation. Our goal is not to be the “largest” lemon law firm in California, but to continue to be the best. Below is a list of some of our most recent success stories where we helped consumers get settlements for their lemons:
- 1. 2005 Ford F250: Full buyback – Antioch, CA – 82,988 miles
- 2. 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid: Full buyback – Modesto, CA – 44,462 miles
- 3. 2007 GTI VW: Cash & Keep – San Jose, CA – 38,148 miles
- 4. 2006 Ford F250: Full buyback – Simi Valley, CA – 80,375 miles
- 5. 2011 Jaguar XK: Full buyback – Tarzana, CA – 6,472 miles
- 6. 2010 Chevrolet Equinox: Cash & Keep – Wilcox, CA – 26,855 miles
- 7. 2008 Jaguar XFS: Cash and Keep – El Dorado Hills, CA – 36,662 miles
- 8. 2010 Nissan Altima: Full buyback – San Bernardino, CA – 17,591 miles
- 9. 2008 Chevrolet Silverado: Cash and Keep – San Jacinto, CA – 91,280 miles
- 10. 2007 Chevrolet Aveo: Full buyback – North Hollywood, CA – 40,391 miles
- 11. 2008 BMW 535i: Full buyback – Los Angeles, CA – 28,407 miles
- 12. 2011 Ford Mustang: Full buyback – Pearblossom, CA – 9,870 miles
- 13. Kia Spectra: Full buyback – San Jose, CA – 57,504 miles
If you are in California and feel that you may have a lemon, contact our lemon law offices, or fill out our Lemon Law Case Review, for a FREE consultation.
Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)
- California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
- California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
- California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
- California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
- California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
- California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500
Toyota and BMW Share Technology
An agreement between BMW and Toyota, will have the two automobile makers collaborating on environmentally sustainable technology in the auto industry. BMW will supply Toyota with 1.6 and 2.0 liter engines for their struggling European line, and both companies will work together to develop car battery technology for electric and hybrid vehicles. The alliance will increase efficiency, reduce costs, and allow vehicles to be brought to market more quickly. Because BMW and Toyota operate in different segments of the market, it is unlikely they will encountering competitive conflicts.
