Consumer Reports’ 2011 annual car reliability survey, seems to mimic JD Power & Associates annual automobile quality study, by reporting that the overall quality of 2011 vehicles has dropped. Ford, suffering the biggest drop, went from 5th to 23th spot, the biggest drop for any major automaker in Consumer Reports’ 2011 Annual Auto Survey. According to the report, the new Ford Explorer, Fiesta, and Focus all had below average reliability, but the problems were attributed to new technologies like the new MyFord Touch infotainment system and the new automated manual transmission. Chrysler had better results with its new Chrysler 200 (formerly Sebring) sedan, the redesigned Dodge Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. Of the 91 Japanese models for which Consumer Reports collected data, 96%, were rated average or better in predicted reliability. These vehicles, however, offered little in new technology from previous models.
Tag Archives: California Lemon Law
NHTSA To Address Distracting Auto Technology
The focus of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) is to set minimum safety performance requirements for motor vehicle equipment. They protect drivers against unreasonable risk of crashes due to the design, construction, and performance of a vehicle and they set minimum standards for protection in the event of an accident. But when it comes to the design of electronic systems, automobile manufacturers have historically been on their own.
Back when electronic systems were relatively simple automakers followed voluntary guidelines which called for displays to be high enough that drivers can scan the road while viewing displays, and that interfaces be simple enough so drivers don’t take their attention away from the road. But, today’s automobile interfaces have become considerably more complicated and even though car makers tell drivers to pay attention to the roads, they continue to pack their vehicles with infotainment systems that encourage multitasking. Today’s high tech features allow the driver to entertain and navigate as well as stay connected through their phones, e-mail and social media. According to automobile industry officials, “You can’t stop drivers from multitasking and becoming distracted. By giving motorists built-in connections that are simpler and less distracting than portable devices, we are making the roads safer.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood disagrees. He calls distracted driving “a deadly epidemic,” and feels federal authorities should set some safety standards. And they are. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is developing its own set of guidelines, to be released this fall. They will address visual and manual distractions and hope to eventually set guidelines for voice controls and portable devices.
Thailand Floods Affect Auto Production
Floods in Thailand are threatening to affect automotive production for auto makers and suppliers, such as Toyota, Honda, Ford, Mitsubishi, and Michelin. Work in many of Thailand facilities will be halted through to November 5th, affecting production in Japan, the U.S., Canada, South Africa, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. It is expected that it will take months before the water recedes and residents can start to rebuild. The disaster comes shortly after Japanese car makers return to full production after the March earthquake and Tsunami shut down factories in Japan.
New California Lemon Law For Used Car Buyers
A new California lemon law bill, signed into law September 28, will give used car buyers more protection than ever before. The law, effective starting July 2012, will require all used and new car dealers to check the vehicle identification number (VIM) against a federal database. This database will have a more comprehensive list than existing commercial services because than law will require all states, insurance companies, salvage yards and junkyards to provide information on vehicles written off in a flood, fire or accident. The system is used by state motor vehicle departments and police, and is open to the public for a small fee.
California Lemon Laws And Small Business Vehicles
A recently settled lemon law case in California is making it easier for small business owners to exercise their lemon law rights when it comes to vehicles used primarily for the business. Currently the law states that cars and small trucks purchased for personal use are covered under the law, but vehicles used primarily for business, weighing 10,000 pounds or more are not included. In the aforementioned case, the business owners trucks weight was under 7,000 pounds, but because the fully loaded weight was 10,000 pounds it did not qualify under the California lemon law. After a four year battle, courts finally sided with the business owner, saying that the vehicles actual weight and not the fully loaded weight, is what counts. This case will set the precedent for auto makers and future lemon law cases in California involving small business owners and their trucks used primarily for their business.
Flooded Vehicles Complicate The Lemon Law
Any time there is major flooding in an area, the increase of flood damaged vehicles on the market also increases. Many of these these vehicles have been picked up by “middle men”, who take them to states unaffected by flooding, and unload them. Consumers looking to buy a vehicle may not suspect a vehicle as being flood damaged, and because they have been quickly “unloaded”, obvious sings may not be noticed right away. But, “Water Leaves Lasting Damage!” When problems start to arise, there is no protection for a flooded lemon. As soon as an auto manufacturer knows the vehicle has been flood damaged, it is difficult to get it bought back under the lemon law.
Your best bet is to avoid buying these vehicles all together. Here are a few tips to help you avoid buying a flood damaged vehicle.
- Moisture and Dirt: Moisture and gritty dirt in lights, the glove compartment, console, under seats and under the hood are a good sign the vehicle has been flooded. Many of these vehicles have been cleaned up and dried out, but missed areas is a good give away.
- Moldy Smell: Carpets and seats take a long time to dry out and it doesn’t take long for odors to appear. You may also notice fuel and oily smells that may have gotten into flood waters.
- Mismatched Interior Components: Mismatched components, could be a sign that parts may have been changed in a hurry after the vehicle was pulled from flood waters.
- Malfunctioning Electrical Devices: The electrical components will be the first thing affected by flood water. Corrosion on connections and water damage on electronic circuit boards could lead to electrical system glitches or systems not working at all.
- Get The Vehicle Inspected: Even if your don’t suspect the vehicle of flood damage, you should still get the vehicle inspected. A trained technician knows what to look for and will notice anything odd about the vehicle.
- Get The Vehicles History Report: Finding a vehicles history report is as easy as entering the vehicle identification number (VIN), but it is not a guarantee the vehicle has not suffered water damage. Look for signs that the car has recently been titled in multiple states, especially if it has been recently titled out of flood areas or into areas where damage disclosures don’t exist.
If you suspect a vehicle has been involved in a flood, “Don’t Buy It!”. It could take a while before problems start to show up, and the price of replacement costs not covered under warranty could far outweigh the “great deal” you got when you purchased the vehicle.
August Car Sales Up In August
The slowing economy has left consumers wary about making big item purchases, but according to a recent auto data report, automobile sales in August rose almost 8% from a year ago and 1.2% from last month. All of the large automakers have showed sales gains for the year to date, except for Honda and Toyota, whose dealers have struggled to keep inventory since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan early this year. Shortages of small, fuel-efficient cars, like the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus, have also lead to increased prices on both new and used hybrid, electric and compact cars.
G.M. said it remains confident that industry sales will top 13 million vehicles this year, back to 2008 levels, when 13.2 million were sold in the United States. They intend to step up production by adding overtime shifts to plants that build the Chevy Cruze, in an attempt to fill the compact car void plaguing the auto industry. Ford said it hopes to increase its overall production by 9% in the fourth quarter from what is was in 2010.
But analysts feel the automakers are “playing chicken” with the economy. Stockpiling extra inventory while consumer confidence declines could lead to too much inventory and price reductions that could end up hurting the industry in the long run.
How To Choose The best Lemon Law Firm
California lemon law specialist Kurt Delsack gives some pointers on how to find the best lemon law attorney. The most important decision in winning your lemon law case is choosing the right attorney. Many law firms offer lemon law services, but only experienced lawyers dedicated to the lemon law will be able to resolve your case fast and efficiently. The law offices of Delsack & Associated have been around since 1987 and are dedicated exclusively to the practice of the California lemon law. If you are in California and think you have a lemon vehicle call 1.888.ExLemon (888.395.3666) or fill and submit the lemon law form and see if you qualify under California’s lemon law.
