Ford will be recalling over 26,000 trucks for a component in the brake light switch that does not comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standards. The multifunction switch shipped with a sub-component (slider) could become deformed resulting in the loss of turn signals, tail lights, hazard warning flashers and brake lights. Loss of any of these lights could increase the chances of an accident. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. The vehicles involved in this recall include:
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Seven Steps To A Good Lemon Law Defense
If you think you own a lemon these are the 7 most important defenses to create a good lemon law case to help to get your car repurchased.
- Bring your car in early. At the first sign of a manufacturing problem get a repair order from an authorized dealer. If the manufacturer buys your car back, the lower the mileage of the first repair, the lower will be the use fee deduction, and the greater the amount you may get back.
- Always get a copy of the work order when you leave the vehicle; and always get a copy of the actual completed repair order when picking up the vehicle. Be sure the work order accurately shows your complaints. If the problem recurs, even if only 5 minutes later, get a new and separate repair order. Do not let the dealer add on to the earlier one. If possible, have the technician write on the repair order that they verified your complaint.
- Be consistent in your complaints. The California lemon law states that the manufacturer must be allowed a reasonable number of repair attempts to fix the same problem. So be sure that the way your complaint is written on the repair order shows that you are describing the same problem.
- Check the technical service bulletins or TSBs. These are issued by manufacturers for common defects for your specific year and model. Usually the dealer will not tell you about TSBs, unless you ask. Even if they tell you none exist, make sure that your request is written on the repair order. Check our website at calemonlaw.com to see the current technical service bulletins for your car.
- Watch out for bad advice. Dealer service personnel are not lawyers. They may give you bad advice about the California lemon law which may affect your decision about how to handle your problem. If you have a question call us. Don’t be swayed by remarks that you are the cause of your car’s problems, like you don’t know how to use the brakes, or the NAV system, or it’s because you live on a hill, or you are using bad gas. These are just excuses for a problem the dealer doesn’t know how to fix.
- Watch out for arbitration. Some manufacturers suggest that you have to go through arbitration before you can use the California lemon law. That is not true! In fact, it can be very dangerous because the ruling of an arbitrator has the same effect as if it were a decision made in a court of law. And if the ruling is against you, it could then become considerably more difficult to later win your case.
- The final step is to call our offices for a free consultation as soon as you think you have a lemon. And in most cases we will not charge you any fees for handling your lemon law case. So call us today at 888 ex lemon or 888-395-3666 or complete the short submittal form on our website calemonlaw.com.
Life is too short to live with a lemon, especially if we may get rid of it for you and get you your money back. We look forward to hearing from you.
- California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
- California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
- California Lemon Law in Fresno: 559-382-0359
- California Lemon Law in Long Beach: 562-282-9909
- California Lemon Law in Oakland: 510-545-9083
- California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
- California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
- California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
- California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500
- California Lemon Law in San Jose: 408-681-8033
Honda Recalls ST1300 Motorcycles
Honda is recalling certain ST1300 motorcycles because they could experience a loss of brakes. When the rear suspension of the motorcycle is repeatedly bottomed out, the rear brake reservoir hose may become damaged leading to a brake fluid leak. The rider will experience a loss of rear brake performance and could eventually lose braking power completely. The motorcycles involved in this recall include:
- 2008-2010 ST1300 motorcycles built between November 2007 to May 2010
- 2008-2010 ST1300A motorcycles built between November 2007 to April 2010
- 2009 ST1300PA Police motorcycles built between November 2008 toDecember 2009
Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Ford Recalls Sedans For Fuel Tanks
Ford has announced a recall that will involve certain 2007 Ford Five Hundred and 2007 Mercury Montego Sedans built between September 5th -11th, 2006, for problems with the fuel tanks. The welds between the fuel tank and the filler neck were not done properly which could affect the strength of the joint. In the event of a rear impact, the welds could break allowing fuel to leak out and possibly cause a fire if there is an ignition source. Owners can expect to start receiving their recall notice starting August 15, where dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. Anyone wanting more information on the recall can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 .
Carmageddon Urgeds LA Residents To Stay Home
The 405 freeway will be closed this weekend for about 53 hours as highway crews demolish the Mulholland Drive bridge. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villarigosa, urges residents to “stay home” as the work threatens to impede traffic near the Interstate, making some roads almost impassible. Motorists intent on commuting will see 61 buses added to the city’s transit system, and the subway systems will be prepared for higher ridership traffic. Other services offered include nonstop flights, offered by JetBlue, from Long Beach Airport to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, promoted as the “Fly Over the 405 promotion”, and Briles Wing and Helicopter Inc, will have charter flight services offering trips from Van Nuys Airport to either Los Angeles International or Santa Monica airports. For people or groups planning unauthorized runs of the closed freeway, the Los Angeles Police Department will be on hand to intercept this traffic. The closure, labeled as ‘Carmageddon’, hopes to lessen Los Angeles traffic in a $1.03 billion freeway widening project that will accommodate new carpool lanes by building a bigger bridge 200 feet to the south of the Mullholland bridge.
Californians Turn To Domestic Cars
Historically, imported vehicles have dominated the market in California, but a recent trend is seeing more and more consumers turn to domestic auto makers when replacing their old vehicles. Companies like Ford, Chrysler and GM have improved their sales in the state last year with the introduction of new models of small cars and compact SUV’s. The improved reliability, fuel economy, advanced electronics and added luxury options are starting to give domestic brands an advantage over once popular rivals like Honda and Toyota. Some of the more popular vehicles being sold in California are GM’s Chevrolet Volt , Cruze and Camaro, and Ford’s Fiesta, Focus and Fusion. The growth in California is important to local car dealers who have experienced sluggish auto sales for almost three years now. Some analysts, however, question whether traditional buyers of Japanese cars are switching to domestic brands, or just waiting for depleted inventories to be replenished.
Dodge Ram Trucks Recalled For Steering
Chrysler has announced a recall for some Dodge Ram pickup trucks because the left tie rod ball stud could fracture. The problem has been reported to occur during low speed maneuvers during tight turns. If the stud should break while driving, a loss of directional stability will be noticed in the left hand front wheel. The vehicles involved in this recall are:
- 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500 4×4
- 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 4×4
- 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4×2
- 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4×4
- 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 that may have received the defective part during normal service
Dealers will inspect and replace the left outer tie rod and perform a front end toe alignment as required. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule, but owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
GM Sonic Built In America
There is a myth in the auto industry that auto manufacturers can’t build subcompact cars in the United States because the costs of building the vehicle are just too high. The Honda Fit is built in China and Brazil, the Mazda 2 is built in Japan and Mexico, the Toyota Yaris is built in Japan, and even the Ford Fiesta is built in Mexico, to name a few. General Motors hopes to dispel this myth with one of the only subcompact cars built in America, the “Sonic”. In an agreement between Detroit and the United Automobile Workers (UAW), GM has been building the Sonic in a revolutionary designed plant in Detroit.
Modeled after some of their most efficient plants in Germany and Korea, GM has spent millions to renovate their Orion plant that nearly closed two years ago. Newly trained workers and state of the art equipment offers cost saving efficiency, in house suppliers reduce inventory costs and increase productivity, and the factory itself is one of the company’s greenest. It produces less waste and reduces energy costs by using methane gas from neighboring landfills to power some operation. While renovated factory has been a major factor in cutting costs, an agreement between GM and the U.A.W., allowed GM to cut labor costs as well, reducing the overall production costs significantly.
According to GM’s head of labor relation, “We wanted to prove we could do it and had to proceed with an open mind. The entry-level wage structure was an important enabler, because the smaller the car the less the margin.” The U.A.W. said the union considered the significance of a competitive subcompact to G.M.’s overall product lineup. The Sonic is the first subcompact that G.M. has tried to build in its home market since the Chevrolet Chevette almost 40 years ago, so it is important that the union compromise in order to prevent manufacturing jobs to overseas employers.
