Lemon Law for California

Toyota is recalling 50,000 units of its 2003 model Sequoia. In December 2008 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation based on 50 complaints from the SUV owners about sudden unexpected braking or slowing. The investigation broadened even later in April 2009. Toyota says “these vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety”. No injuries were reported. However, the automaker decided to have a recall to show its readiness to cooperate.

“Toyota is committed to investigating customer complaints more aggressively and to responding quickly to issues we identify in our vehicles. As a result, we are voluntarily launching this recall to ensure that as many 2003 Sequoias as possible are serviced to the full satisfaction of our customers,” the company official assures.

Toyota will upgrade the software for electronic stability control system. The company will start sending notifications in the end of May. The Japanese automaker reports it has already fixed half of the recalled vehicles under warranty.

Toyota has had several recalls so far and was fined $16.4 million by the US safety regulators. The company does its best to meet both the standards of the safety regulators and the demand of the customers.

However, if you think your Toyota is a lemon, don’t hesitate to learn if it qualifies as a California Lemon Law Case. We are ready to provide free consultation.

Build Dates: December 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010

Vehicle Make/Model: Ford/Mercury Mountaineer
Model Years: 1998-2010

Recalled on: April 20, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: N/A
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component: SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER
Potential Number of Units Affected: 33,256

Summary:

Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 Fusion, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, and Mercury Milan and Mountaineer vehicles manufactured between December 15, 2009 through February 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 202, +Head Restraint, +the recliner gear plate teeth may be out of dimension specification which could result in limited pawl to gear plate tooth engagement.

Consequence:

In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy:
Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 30, 2010.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the German automaker Porsche are recalling the luxurious Porsche Panamera due to a defect in the seatbelt.

It is estimated that the recall will affect 11,300 units of 2010 models Panamera S, 4S and Turbo sedans.

As the notification from the NHTSA said “If the front seats are adjusted towards an extreme position…it is possible that the function of the locking mechanism of the seat belt mount can no longer be guaranteed.”  This can cause the seat belt to open and if there is a crash, it “may not provide adequate protection for the seat occupant, which may increase the risk of injury or death.”

An additional locking element will be installed in the dealerships to resolve the safety issue.

The recall had a very bad impact on the brand, as the Porsche Panamera was supposed to get the automaker into a new level, making it more competitive than other four-door coupes like the  Maserati Quattroporte or Mercedes-Benz CLS.

Build Dates: August 7, 1997-January 4, 2010
Vehicle Make/Model: Toyota/Sienna
Model Years: 1998-2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V160000
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC
Component: STUCTURE
Potential Number of Units Affected: N/A

Summary:
Toyota is recalling certain model year 1998 through 2010 Sienna Passenger vehicles manufactured between August 7, 1997 and January 4, 2010, currently registered in or originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The subject vehicles are equipped with the spare tire stowed under the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated in the cold climate regions of the United States where road salt is frequently used, water splashed backwards with high concentrations of the road salt can reach the spare tire carrier and corrode the spare tire carrier assembly cable.

Consequence:

The cable may break due to excessive corrosion and the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Remedy:
The manufacturer has not yet provided NHTSA with a remedy and notification schedule.

Build Dates: November 11, 2009- March 8, 2010
Vehicle Make/Model: Toyota/Lexus 2010 GX 460
Model Years: 1998-2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V160000
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC
Component: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Potential Number of Units Affected: 9400

Summary:
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Lexus GX460 passenger vehicles manufactured from November 16, 2009 through April 8, 2010. If the vehicle is driven through a sharp turn at high speed, the vehicle may skid in a sideways direction.

Consequence:
Under certain conditions the vehicle could roll over and a crash could occur.

Remedy:
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles by reprogramming the vehicle stability control free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 33,256 vehicles for an identified problem with front-seat recliners. The recall will include Mercury Milan sedans, several Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, Mercury Mountaineer SUVs and even the best selling Fusion.

The defective Ford vehicles of the year model 2010 were built between December and February. Ford told the problem with the seat was discovered later. But actually because of the problem some of the vehicles fail to meet the requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standard.

The NHTSA has reported “In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury”.

Ford said it didn’t get any data on injuries or accidents due to the issue. The automaker will notify the car-owners by April 30.  The affected seats will be replaced by manual seats without the defect free of charge at the dealerships.

Earlier this year Consumer Reports identified a problem of a loss of braking power in Fusion. This was followed by an announcement from Ford. The companies told it would fix the software in the Fusion and Mercury Milan, so that the drivers don’t get the feeling of the brakes have lost stopping power again.

Note: A vehicle recall doesn’t mean the car is a lemon.

Do not hesitate to call our Los Angeles Lemon Law Firm in case you have any questions or any cases to be examined.

Purchases might not be always successful even the big ones, for instance, cars. You might have spent a lot of money on a vehicle, which turns out to be not working. Taking it to the manufacturer does not always help. They might have several attempts to repair it but still no results. A lot of money spent but you ask someone else to drive you to work every morning. In this case your car might be a lemon., a vehicle that continues to have a defect which affects the use, value or safety of the car.

In this case, California Lemon Law can help you obtain your rights. Based on it, you can get a refund or a replacement, even file a case against the manufacturer.

You will need an experienced California Lemon Law Attorney. Usually, they are eager to provide a free consultation and a case evaluation.

Remember than you will need to provide them all information on your vehicle:

• Title of the vehicle
• The Model year and manufacturing dates
• Mileage
• Dealership Information
• Warranty details
• The number of repair attempts and it’s documentation
• The number of days when the car was in shop

Make sure you keep all vehicle-related documentation: financing documents, correspondence with the dealership and the manufacturer, repair orders and warranty documents.

In case of success all fees and the litigation expenses will be paid by the car manufacturer. The experienced California lemon law attorney will help you get a refund or a car replacement.

Being a California Lemon Law Firm providing service in Los Angeles, Glendale, Sherman oaks and Burbank, we would be happy to help you with your lemon law case.

Build Dates: N/A
Vehicle Make/Model: Buick/Terraza, Chevrolet/Uplander, Pontiac/Montana
Model Years: 2005-2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V110000
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: BRAUN CORPORATION
Component: SUSPENSION: REAR
Potential Number of Units Affected: 5375

Summary:
The Braun Corporation has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 General Motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans. During conversion, the driver or passenger side trailing arm modification may not have been adequately welded.

Consequence:
A squeaking or clunking noise may develop. The trailing arm bushings may prematurely wear and the trailing arm may fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy:
Dealers will inspect and will have a supply of retrofit parts available to remedy the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during April 2010. 

Toyota Sienna known for showing one of the best crash test results is being recalled by the producer.

Toyota Motor Corporation announced on 16^th of April it is going to recall 870,000 Sienna minivans in the United States and Canada. The vehicles recalled are of model years 1998-2010.

The recall covers 600,000 vehicles in U.S. and 270,000 in Canada.

The reason for the recall is the fact than in some of the cold states of the countries, the vehicles can be impacted by corrosion of the carrier cable from the long term exposure to road salt. This in its turn can cause the spare tire to drop into the road.

The automaker is currently working on the remedy for the vehicle owners. However, the customers can consult with their dealers and have their cars inspected to find any defect.

Toyota also informs that the owners outside of the cold states will get a separate notification and will go through the same process if necessary.

Toyota will pay a $16.4 million fine to the U.S. Safety regulators. Despite the fact that the Japanese automaker could appeal the decision of the U.S. Department of Transportation about the fine, Toyota agreed with the sum. The settlement between the two parties is going to be signed on April 19, Monday, in Washington.
Earlier the department announced that it had collected enough evidence to prove Toyota delayed the recall process for vehicles with malfunctioning pedals and acceleration. It was proved that the automaker knew about the acceleration problems and the safety issues those could cause.
Paying the fine might seem as Toyota is accepting responsibility for hiding safety defects. However, the company insists it didn’t withhold the safety information on purpose.
However, the things don’t calm down with Toyota with that.
The automaker still faces more than 100 lawsuits concerning fraud and personal injury due to acceleration problems. It has a combined litigation coming up on May 13. 2010. Attorneys mentioned they plan to use the fine as evidence during the litigation.
The matters in Toyota are even worse with the Consumer Reports labeling Lexus GX 460 as a “Don’t Buy”, which made the company to stop the sales of the model.