Lemon Law for California

Build Dates: 0000-00-00 - 0000-00-00
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V284000
Date Owner’s Notified: 0000-00-00
Date Received by ODI: 2010-06-25
Date Added to Database: 2010-06-25
Manufacturers Involved: MONACO COACH CORPORATION
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: Manufacturer Campaign Number:
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Potential Number Of Units Affected: 1960

Summary:

Kongsberg power products systems I, Inc., “KPPS” is recalling on behalf of Monaco coach certain model year 2008-2010 Motor Homes manufactured after April 2007 and equipped with pneumatic and hydraulic adjustable brake pedal assemblies supplied by KPPS. The drive pin which secures the brake pedal arm to the balance of the assembly may become disengaged, this may cause a reduction in vehicle braking and/or cause the brake pedal to move out of position and interfere with throttle pedal function.

Consequence:

A reduction in braking or interference with the throttle pedal could result in a crash.

Remedy:

KPPS will provide a clamp assembly kit along with installation instructions free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before July 15, 2010.

Each year nearly 150,000 cars turn to be lemons, i.e. cars that have repeated, unfixable problems. Every state has some type of “lemon law” that regulates the cases when one acquires a lemon car. To take advantage of these laws, you should know what qualifies as a lemon and how to get a refund or replacement car.

In order to qualify as a lemon, the car must

(1) have a substantial defect that occurred within a certain period of time or number of miles after the car was bought.

(2) not be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

A “substantial defect” is a problem covered by the warranty that significantly impairs the car’s use, value or safety, such as faulty brakes or steering. Minor defects such as loose radio knobs and door handles do not meet the legal definition of “substantial defect.”

As with most legal definitions, the line between a “minor” and a “substantial” defect is not clear enough. Some not so evident conditions, such as defective paint jobs or horrible smells, have been found to be substantial defects.

In all US states, the substantial defect must occur within a certain period of time (usually one or two years) or within a certain number of miles (usually 12,000 or 24,000). The defect must not be caused by abuse.

The dealer or manufacturer is allowed to make a “reasonable” number of attempts to fix the problem before your car is considered to be a lemon. To be protected under your state’s lemon law you must meet one of the following standards

•    If the defect is a serious safety defect, involving brakes or steering, it must remain unfixed after one repair attempt.

•    If the defect is not a serious safety defect, it must remain unfixed after three or four repair attempts (the number varies by state).

•    If the vehicle is in the shop a certain number of days (usually 30 days in a one-year period) to fix one or more substantial warranty defects, it may fit the definition of a lemon.

Although most state lemon laws apply to new car sales only, a few states have lemon laws that also cover used cars.

Build Dates : 20 Jule 2009- 14 September 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V066000
Date Owner’s Notified: 2010-03-23
Date Received by ODI: 2010-02-25
Date Added to Database: 2010-02-25
Manufacturers Involved: MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: Manufacturer Campaign Number: SR-10-001
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: EXHAUST SYSTEM: MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Potential Number Of Units Affected: 2307

Summary:

Mitsubishi is recalling certain model year 2010 Galant vehicles. The automatic transmission oil cooler pipe assembly on some vehicles may have insufficient plating to prevent corrosion, if the pipe should develop a hole due to corrosion, automatic transmission fluid leakage may occur.

Consequence:

ATF in the presence of an ignition source may result in a potential fire hazard.

Remedy:

Dealers will have the aft oil cooler pipe assembly inspected. If insufficient plating is found during inspection, the dealer will replace the aft oil cooler pipe assembly with new parts containing appropriate anti-corrosion plating. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during March 2010.

Toyota is recalling nearly half a million cars, most of which are large sedans sold in the U.S. The reason of the recall is problems that may cause the steering wheel to lock up.

The recall was announced on Thursday and affects 412,000 vehicles in the U.S. — 373,000 Avalon sedans and 39,000 Lexus LX 470 SUVs.

Toyota has been suffering a “recall crisis” since October, when it announced a recall of 5.3 million cars and trucks to fix floor mats that can trap pedals and cause unintended acceleration. Since then a number of recalls have followed, from sticky gas pedals to braking problems with the Prius hybrid to rusting frames in the Tacoma pickup.

With Thursday’s recall the number of Toyota’s recalls equals to about 9.5 million of cars and trucks in the U.S. since October. That means Toyota has recalled about 39 percent of vehicles it has sold in the U.S. since 1998.

The Avalons recalled in the U.S. range have improper casting of the steering lock bar — the component that locks the steering wheel when the vehicle is shut off — that can cause a crack to form on the surface.

With the lapse of time, the crack can expand, which can cause the steering wheel to become difficult to unlock when stationary. As Toyota said in some circumstances, the problem can cause the steering wheel to lock up during driving.

Toyota will fix the Avalon steering problem by replacing the steering column bracket, which houses the lock bar.

For the Lexus LX 470, Toyota is recalling the 2003-2007 model years for fixing a different steering shaft problem, which might cause loss of steering control. As the company said no accidents have been reported from the problem.

In August customers will receive letters asking them to bring their cars to dealers for both repairs.

Toyota is also recalling another 6,750 vehicles in Japan, a sedan called the Pronard, for a problem that is similar to that experienced by the Avalon.

Currently Toyota also faces more than 200 lawsuits in the U.S. for accidents that involve defective automobiles, the lower resale value of Toyota vehicles and a drop in its stock value.

For details on your rights and options in case your vehicle is recalled, contact CA lemon law attorney Mr. Margarian.

Build Dates : 0000-00-00 - 0000-00-00
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 10V240000
Date Owner’s Notified: 2010-06-11
Date Received by ODI: 2010-06-04
Date Added to Database: 2010-06-04
Manufacturers Involved: General Motors Corp.
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall:
Manufacturer Campaign Number:
Component: Electrical System
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 1365070

Summary:

GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; model year 2008-2009 Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system “HWFS”. A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board “PCB” electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on HWFS modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device’s thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the HWFS fluid chamber.

Consequence:

It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.

Remedy:

Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on June 11, 2010.

Build Dates : 1 May 2008 - 9 September 2008
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 09V037000
Date Owner’s Notified: 2009-03-16
Date Received by ODI: 2009-01-30
Date Added to Database: 2009-01-30
Manufacturers Involved: BENTLEY MOTORS LTD
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: Manufacturer Campaign Number: RE09/01
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 27

Summary:

Bentley is recalling 27 May 2009 Continental Flying Spur and Continental Flying Spur speed vehicles. There is the potential for the center rear seat belt upper guide bracket to distort in the event of a frontal impact. This distortion could result in the centre rear seat occupant traveling further forwards than the design intends.

Consequence:

In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy:

Dealers will replace the seat belt guide bracket free of charge. The recall began in February 2009.

To learn your rights in case your car has been recalled, contact CA lemon law attorney Mr. Margarian.

Over a dozen models are recalled due to windshield-wiper fluid system defects

General Motors China recalls a number of auto models sold in China due to flaws in windshield-wiper fluid systems. The GAQSIQ (General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine) said in a statement that the recall will start from July 26, without disclosing the number of vehicles affected.

As the GAQSIQ announces, a defect in a heated windshield-wiper fluid system, which helps to prevent frost on the windshield in winter, could lead to fires in some cases. GM will remove the system for the recalled vehicles.

The models involved include Cadillac DTS, the Hummer H2, Buick Lucerne 2006-2009, Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT made between 2007-2009, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, Saturn Outlook, as well as the Chevrolet Traverse made in 2009.

This is the second GM recall in China over the past two months. On June 8, the company recalled 1.5 million vehicles because of defects in the windshield wiper system.

And earlier this year, GM China also announced a recall of Cadillac CTS models made between 2003 and 2007, which involved 7,942 vehicles sold in the China market.

GM sold a total of 1.83 million units in China last year, increasing 66.9% from the previous year.

For learning your options and rights in case of auto recall, please feel free to contact our CA lemon law attorney Mr. Margarian.

Build Dates: 08 January, 2010 - 13 February

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 10V200000
Date Owner’s Notified: 0000-00-00
Date Received by ODI: 2010-05-11
Date Added to Database: 2010-05-11
Manufacturers Involved: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
Manufacturer’s Responsible for the Recall: Manufacturer Campaign Number: K08
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 40131

Summary:
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Charger, Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a wireless ignition node “win” module exhibiting a binding condition of the solenoid latch.

Consequence:
The result of the defect could lead to a condition where the key may be removed from the ignition switch “win module” prior to placing the shifter in park. This could result in the potential for unintended vehicle movement and could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy:
Dealers will inspect and replace the win module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during July 2010.

The risk of getting a lemon is higher when you are eager to buy even a slightly used car. Not to end up with a lemon, try to have a little car knowledge.

1. Before you decide to buy a car, first of all research vehicle reliability reports online for the different models you are interested in. Learn what other people say is the best vehicle in the type you are interested in. Also take into consideration what others think is the worst. Before you ever go shopping, on the lot or online, decide what type of vehicle you want and what models you will look at.

2. If you are eager to have more information about that car you’re considering, then check all four of the federal government’s databases for any recalls or service bulletins or safety investigations and owner complaints on the exact model vehicle. Service bulletins are notes that the manufacturer sends out to their dealerships to inform them about problems that have been discovered in particular model vehicles and how to try and fix them.

3. Federal law require every used car on any dealer’s lot to have placed in the window this one page form that clearly discloses whether the car is being sold “as is” or with a warranty. The car dealer is claimed to fill it out correctly. and to hand over a copy of the form to the buyer in the sale. When a motor vehicle is sold “as is” it could mean that you have no recourse against the selling dealership if problems or defects arise later on. Normally, problematic cars are those that are often sold “as is” so be careful.

You might often hear the term certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles and wonder what the difference between a used car and CPO is.

Actually, in both cases the cars have once belonged to someone. To make used cars more attractive for potential buyers, the manufacturers came up with the idea of certifying used cars and renaming them pre-owned or pre-driven. This meant that before being sold, the cars would be inspected and fixed.

There are two types of certified pre-owned vehicle programs: certified pre-owned factory-backed programs and certified pre-owned dealer-backed programs. Choosing a manufacturer’s certified vehicle program might be more reliable, as the car would be better tested and fixed. Also, the program would work across the country and may come with some side offers. Besides, the program can be more reliable, as the dealership can be closed down after some time and the dealer-backed certified pre-owned vehicle program could no longer work.

Certified pre-owned cars are in better conditions for sure. However, buying a certified pre-owned car doesn’t mean you can’t end up with a lemon. If you keep on having the same problem with a vehicle for a long time and that can’t be fixed, and if you start having doubts about the car being a lemon, do not hesitate to contact a Los Angeles Lemon Law firm, where experienced California lemon law attorneys can give you a free consultation and case evaluation.