Archive for April, 2009

Apr 29 2009

Auto-Recalls: Saab, 9-5, 2007

Published by Lemon Law under Vehicle Recalls

Build Dates : July 01, 20061 - June 30, 2007
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V160000

Date Owner’s Notified: 20081125
Date Received by ODI: 20080409
Date Added to Databse: 20080409

Manufacturer’s Involved: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: E080101/15204

Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 57389

Summary:
Saab is recalling 57,389 my 2002-2008 9-5 series vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, “occupant protection in interior impact.” during compliance testing, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard’s requirements.

Consequence:
In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.


Remedy:

Dealers will install a-pillar trim with improved energy-absorbing capability free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2008. Owners may contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.

No responses yet

Apr 29 2009

General Motors Recalls Defective Vehicles

Published by Lemon Law under General Articles

General Motors is recalling more than 275,000 cars and sport utility vehicles to fix a problem with the vehicles’ automatic transmission.Company officials say the recalled vehicles don’t comply with federal regulations regarding transmission braking, theft protection and rollaway prevention. On some of these defective vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged; the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. If that happens, the driver might move the gear to “park” and remove the ignition without realizing that the transmission gear is not actually in the park position. This could result in the driver not being able to restart the vehicle or the vehicle rolling away without warning. There is no question that these are extremely dangerous auto product defects that could potentially lead to a serious auto accident. Hundreds of people are injured each year in the United States because of vehicle transmission defects. With these defective GM vehicles that go into “false park” mode, rollaway accidents could occur resulting in serious injury or even death.

In January, the Associated Press reported that many popular models of GM trucks and SUVs were liable to lose their power steering as drivers make slow turns into parking lots. These steering defects have forced GM to settle many lawsuits and even led one state police force to label the condition as a “hazard.” However, GM has not issued a recall and is not even admitting the steering defects exist.When it comes to auto product defects, denial runs deep in the auto industry. No auto maker likes to admit that their products are defective. These types of product defects are symptomatic of a serious lack of quality control within the company. And consumers should not suffer for it.

No responses yet

Apr 29 2009

Auto-Recalls: Saab, 9-5, 2006

Published by Lemon Law under Vehicle Recalls

Build Dates : June 01, 2005 – July 31, 2006
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V160000

Date Owner’s Notified: 20081125
Date Received by ODI: 20080409
Date Added to Databse: 20080409

Manufacturer’s Involved: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: E080101/15204

Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 57389

Summary:
Saab is recalling 57,389 my 2002-2008 9-5 series vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, “occupant protection in interior impact.” during compliance testing, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard’s requirements.

Consequence:
In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.

Remedy:
Dealers will install a-pillar trim with improved energy-absorbing capability free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2008. Owners may contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.

No responses yet

Apr 28 2009

Responsibility for Defective Motor Vehicles

Published by Lemon Law under General Articles

As a rule most motor vehicles are safely designed and carefully manufactured. Some, however, are carelessly made or improperly designed.The laws governing responsibility for defective motor vehicles and what must be proven in court to establish liability vary from state to state. The parties who may held liable include:

The vehicle manufacturer

The manufacturer of defective component parts such as tires, hoses etc.

The dealer, if the vehicle was purchased from a dealer

There exist several different reasons for holding a party liable for harm caused by a motor vehicle defect. The most important three common legal theories for finding someone liable are breach of warranty, negligence, and strict liability. A manufacturer or vehicle dealer, but not an individual who is not in the vehicle sales business, may be liable for breach of express or implied warranty if the vehicle is not fit or safe to be operated as intended. A breach of warranty may occur if there was an error in the design of the vehicle, if a particular vehicle was put together poorly, or if the components installed on the vehicle did not perform properly. However, it is possible for a seller and buyer to disclaim all warranties during a vehicle sales transaction. A manufacturer or a dealer may be held liable for negligence if the vehicle was not manufactured according to specifications, if it contained a design defect, or if the installed components were inadequate. Negligence may also apply if a vehicle was marketed improperly, such as if a vehicle is shown in advertisements driving at a higher rate of speed than is safe for that vehicle.Strict liability does not require an injured party to show that the manufacturer or seller of a product was negligent. The injured party needs to show only that the product was unsafe.

No responses yet

Apr 27 2009

Auto-Recalls: Saab, 9-5, 2005

Published by Lemon Law under Vehicle Recalls

Build Dates : April 01, 2004 – October 30, 2005
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V160000

Date Owner’s Notified: 20081125
Date Received by ODI: 20080409
Date Added to Databse: 20080409

Manufacturer’s Involved: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: E080101/15204

Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 57389

Summary:
Saab is recalling 57,389 my 2002-2008 9-5 series vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, “occupant protection in interior impact.” during compliance testing, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard’s requirements.

Consequence:
In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.

Remedy:
Dealers will install a-pillar trim with improved energy-absorbing capability free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2008. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.

No responses yet

Apr 27 2009

What to do when your used vehicle appears to be a lemon?

Published by Lemon Law under General Articles

A growing number of states have extended Lemon Law coverage to include used vehicles. Many used cars are sold with the remainder of the manufacturer warranty in place. A qualified Lemon Law Attorney can review your information to determine whether or not your vehicle can fall under either your state or the federal warranty  law.   Each time you take your vehicle in for repair, an invoice and record is generated by the dealer to verify the particular repair or service that was performed. It is important that when you pick up your vehicle from the repair facility, you request a copy of the repair order, or repair invoice. If you do not have copies of all the repair orders, your dealer can provide you with a “warranty history report” which should show the date and result of each repair visit. It is best to talk to one of our attorneys before you take your car in for more repairs, though in the majority of cases if the vehicle needs to have the repair performed in order to make it drivable or safe, you should take it in for another repair. The more attempts that are made to repair a defect or problem that exists for your vehicle or product, the stronger the case becomes in most instances. Never leave the repair facility without getting a copy of an invoice or repair order for your records. However, if the dealer lied to you, misrepresented the vehicles prior history, or dealt with you in a dishonest manner, you could be the victim of fraudulent or deceptive sales practices. Federal and State laws offer protection and remedies for violations; including monetary damages.

No responses yet

Apr 26 2009

Auto-Recalls: Saab, 9-5, 2005

Published by Lemon Law under Vehicle Recalls

Build Dates: June 01,2004 – October 31, 2005
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 07V087000

Date Owner’s Notified: 20070613
Date Received by ODI: 20070307
Date Added to Databse: 20070308

Manufacturer’s Involved: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 07052

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 94377

Summary:
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.

Consequence:
Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.

Remedy:
Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on June 13, 2007. This is an expansion of previous recall campaigns - see 04v557 and 06v126. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.

No responses yet

Apr 26 2009

If my car does fall under a Lemon Law what am I entitled to?

Published by Lemon Law under Law Updates

Depending upon the facts of your case, you could be entitled to a cash settlement, a partial or total refund of the purchase price, or a new or replacement vehicle also known as a “buy back” or a “repurchase.” As each vehicle or product’s repair history is so different, it is best to have a qualified lemon law attorney review all the repair orders and receipts to determine the best way to proceed. Our goal is to get you the most favorable resolution possible for your lemon law claim. However if your case isn’t covered by your state’s Lemon Law, you may, depending on various factors. For example, there is a Federal Lemon Law which may apply, and there are other state laws that may apply to your situation as well.

No responses yet

Apr 22 2009

Auto Recalls: Saab, 9-3, 2005

Published by Lemon Law under Vehicle Recalls

Build Dates : June 01, 2004 - March 31, 2005
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 05V236000

Date Owner’s Notified: 20060317
Date Received by ODI: 20050519
Date Added to Databse: 20050525

Manufacturer’s Involved: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 15019 / 05057

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 68654

Summary:
Certain sport sedan and convertible passenger vehicles were produced with a vacuum pipe check valve for the brake booster that may fail from exposure to elevated temperatures. This could result in sudden loss of power brake assist, usually with little or no warning.

Consequence:
If this condition were to occur when minimum stopping distance is required, a crash could occur.

Remedy:
Dealers will install a new redesigned check valve. The recall began on march 17, 2006. Owners should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.

No responses yet

Apr 22 2009

If my vehicle qualifies under the Lemon Law Presumption do I automatically get the choice of a new vehicle or a refund?

Published by Lemon Law under General Articles

No. The manufacturer can still prove in arbitration or in court that your vehicle does not qualify under the presumption. They can make any of these arguments:

The manufacturer or dealer has not had a “reasonable” number of attempts to repair the problem; or The problem does not substantially affect the vehicle’s use, value or safety to you; or

The problem was caused by abuse; or

The problem has been repaired; or

The problem never existed; or

The problem is not covered by the warranty.

If the problem only happens once in a while or is difficult to diagnose, an additional repair attempt may be considered “reasonable”. However, the law places the burden of proving the need for an additional repair attempt on the manufacturer. The arbitrator or judge decides whether the manufacturer ha had a “reasonable” opportunity to make the needed repairs.

No responses yet

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