Lemon Law for California

Build Dates : 08 April, 2008 – 07, November, 2008

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 09V043000

Date Owner’s Notified: 2009-02-13
Date Received by ODI: 2009-02-04
Date Added to Database: 2009-02-04

Manufacturers Involved: MAZDA MOTOR CORP
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 5209A

Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 29000

Summary:

Mazda is recalling 29,000 My 2009 Mazda 6. The outer door handles may stick which may prevent the door from latching. This situation may allow the door to open while the vehicle is in motion.

Consequence:

Driving the vehicle with the door unlatched could lead to an unbelted occupant being ejected and could result in death or injury.

Remedy:

Dealers will inspect the door handles and if necessary repair or replace the handles free of charge. The recall began on February 13, 2009.

CA Lemon Law is a great boon for the purchasers of lemon vehicles when dealing with the manufacturers. According to this law if a vehicle is determined to be a lemon then the manufacturer must either purchase the vehicle back from the buyer or replace it with the vehicle of equal or greater value.

There are qualifications that must be met to be covered under the CA Lemon Law. First of all, the vehicle (new or used) must be under warranty and be in a condition that impairs its use or can cause injury or even death to the driver and the occupants of the vehicle. If a reasonable number of attempts have been made to repair your warranted vehicle but you are still dealing with the problem, then you can qualify. Of course, you must have proof (documentation) that you’ve tried to get the defect repaired.

Perhaps there have been so many repair attempts that the vehicle has been out of service for a long time. The California lemon law states that the warranted vehicle must have been in the repair shop for at least 30 days (not necessarily consecutive).

To qualify under this law the purchased vehicle should be used for personal use only and not for business purposes. Business vehicles do not qualify under the California lemon law.

Build Dates : 16 June, 2008 – 30 September, 2008

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 09V349000

Date Owner’s Notified: 0000-00-00
Date Received by ODI: 2009-09-08
Date Added to Database: 2009-09-09

Manufacturers Involved: MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: MITSUBISHI AMERICA
Manufacturer Campaign Number: SR-09-004

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 6903

Summary:

Mitsubishi is recalling model year 2008-2009 Lancer Evolution, Ralliart, and Sportback Ralliart vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines. The manner in which the fuel return pipe is attached to the engine, in combination with frequent vehicle operation at certain engine revolutions, may result in a resonance that, if continued over time, may cause a stress crack to develop at the fixed portion of the fuel pipe.

Consequence:

If this stress crack develops, fuel leakage may occur. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Remedy:

The fuel return pipe will be replaced with a new part and two additional attachment brackets will be installed to better control fuel pipe vibration. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in October 2009.