Category Archives: California Lemon Law

Missing Air Bags Put Consumers At Risk

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In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did a study over concerns of injuries and fatalities resulting from air bags not deploying during an auto accident. The most common reason for them not deploying was found to be that they were not there to begin with. During this five year study, an average of 51 vehicles a year were found to be missing air bags. Many of these cars came from rental companies who purchased fleets of vehicles and omitted them as a way to save money, while others were re-salvaged vehicles where the air bags were never replaced.

In many cases, dealerships are unaware that the vehicles they are selling do not have airbags. There are several things consumers can do to make sure this safety feature has not bee omitted.

  • When starting s vehicle look for an air bag indicator light. It should momentarily light and then go out. If the light never comes on, remains on, or flashes, there could be a problem with the system.
  • Have a trusted certified mechanic inspect the system before purchasing the vehicles.
  • Visit the CarFax website to check for airbag deployments that have been reported.
  • Fleet cars with deleted side curtain airbags have an option code “AK-5 (delete head curtain side impact airbags) located on a label under the carpeting in the trunk.
  • A number 5 in the seventh position in the vehicle identification number could also could mean a deleted side airbag.

DIY California Lemon Law

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do it yourself california lemon law attorneyWe live in a “Do It Yourself” society. With the internet at our finger tips, we can find information that instructs us on how to get rid of a stain from a favorite shirt all the way up to doing major renovations on a home. But, just because the information is out there doesn’t mean that the outcome of your DIY project is going to have the success you intended. When it comes to the Lemon Law, it is best to leave it to the professionals.

Lemon Laws differ from state to state, and while the information is out there, the legal “jargon” can be misleading and confusing if you do not have legal experience. Most automobile manufacturers have a team of attorneys who fight lemon law claims every day. They will use all the loop holes and strategies they know to ensure that the consumer claims are dismissed. The fact that a consumer has gone out and hired a lawyer for their claim, shows the car companies they mean business. Even if the automobile turns out to not qualify as a lemon, an attorney can work with the manufacturer to offer compensation and get the vehicle repaired.

The main reason a consumer may not use an attorney for a lemon law claim is to prevent paying legal fees. Most state lemon laws say that in a successful l lemon law claim, the vehicle manufacturer pays all attorney fees. An experienced lemon law lawyer will be able let you know if the claim is worth pursuing and can offer a no cost, no obligation case evaluation. If the case has merit, they will represent you knowing that the chances of a buyback or settlement are good and that their fees will be paid by the car manufacturer.

Based on our experience, attorney negotiated settlements have a higher success rate than one’s negotiated by consumer’s alone, and many times cases are resolved without going to court. The time and frustration of fighting a lemon law case on your own is not guaranteed and not worth it. You have nothing to lose by consulting a Lemon Law attorney before you try to “do it yourself.”

Automobiles More Reliable According To J.D. Power

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You wouldn’t know it from all the recalls making the headlines lately, but according to J.D. Power and Associates, vehicle dependability has improved since last year. According to the report, automakers have been successful in reducing problems in traditional areas but have had a rise in issues with newer technologies and features. Today’s automobiles have less engine, transmission, steering and braking problems, but new features like entertainment, navigation and tire pressure monitoring systems still have many bugs that need to be worked out. Between 2009 and 2011, annual improvement for the industry has averaged 6 percent, which is slightly lower than historical rates of 8 percent each year.

The Vehicle Dependability Study is used by vehicle manufacturers to help design and build better vehicles. It also helps consumers make informed choices when purchasing a new or used vehicle. Click on the graph below to see the automakers ranking of problems per 100 vehicles.

automobile dependibility report

Hyundai Elantras Recalled For Airbag Sensors

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hyundai elantra airbag sensor recallHyundai has announced two recalls for faulty airbag sensor systems that could lead to the airbags inflating with too much force or when they are not required causing injury to occupants.

  • The first recall involves certain 2007-2009 Elantra vehicles manufactured between July 2006 to November 2008. Under certain circumstances the the connector for the front passenger weight sensor may become contaminated. This could lead to the airbag deploying during impacts that do not require the airbag, or deploying with too much force for the weight of the occupant. In order to fix the problem, dealerships will install a protective cover over the connector to prevent contamination.
  • The second recall involves certain 2007-2008 Elantra vehicles manufactured between July 2006 to August 2007. The drivers seat has a track position sensor that determines how much pressure is used to deploy the airbags according to how close the driver is to the airbag. The air bag control module may receive an unstable signal that may lead to the the airbag deploying at a pressure that is too high or too low for the position of the seat. The recall will have dealers reprogramming the airbag control module to deploy at the proper pressure.

Some vehicles will be affected by both recalls. Hyundai will begin sending out recall notices to Elantra owners starting in April. Anyone wanting more information on these recalls can contact Hyundai’s customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.

Spiders Causing Problems In Automobiles

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A recent recall by Mazda for their Mazda6 vehicles have owners bringing in their cars for spiders that spin a web in a fuel line causing a blockage in the line. Reports released by Honda and Hyundai also warn dealers to keep an eye out for the problematic spiders. Honda said they have known about the spiders since issuing a Technical Service Bulletin back in July of 2009. The spiders have been crawling into a vent pipes createing blockages, but the only symptom Honda drivers have seen is the check engine light coming on.

The yellow sac spider is indigenous to most northern states in the U.S. and accounts for a large percentage of spider bites in America. For most people the bites are only an irritation, although in some cases they cause a more severe reaction.

Ford Announces Two Truck Recalls

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Ford has issued a recall for certain 2010 Ranger trucks manufactured from October 15, 2009 to May 19 2010 for a problem that could lead to an engine fire. A fuel line in the area of the throttle body shield may not have a protective cover installed properly The edge of the shield may contact the fuel line and chafe through resulting in a fuel leak. Dealers will inspect for fuel line and trim the shield back to give proper clearance.

Ford will also be recalling certain vehicles manufactured between October 25, 2010 to November 20, 2010 for body control modules (BCM) that could develop an electrical short which could lead to a fire. The vehicles recalled for this problem includes:

  • 2011 FORD F-150
  • 2011 FORD F-250
  • 2011 FORD F-350
  • 2011 FORD F-450
  • 2011 FORD F-550
  • 2011 FORD EDGE
  • 2011 LINCOLN MKX TRUCKS

Owners wanting more information may contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Honda Recalls Fit For Engine Problems

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Honda Fit Recalled for Engine ProblemsHonda has announced a recall that will affect about 100,000 2009-2010 Fit vehicles in the United States and almost 700,000 Honda vehicles world wide. The problem is being blamed on a spring in the engine that can break over time causing engine noises, stalling and potential engine damage. Owners of recalled vehicles will be notified by the manufacturer starting early March. You can find out if the recall applies to your vehicle by going online to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009 and selecting option 4.

Second Row Seats Recalled On 2011 Ford Explorer

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2011 ford explorer rear seat recallFord has announced a recall involving some 2011 Explorer Trucks with second row 60% seating with manual recliner mechanisms. These trucks, built between July 15, 2010 to December 13, 2010, may have components that are not built to the proper dimensional specifications. As a result, they fail to conform to the the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard seating systems, and may not provide the required strength during an accident.

Ford will notify owners staring February 14, where dealers will repair the seats free of charge. Owners wanting more information may contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety hotline at at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .