Every year, Consumer Reports magazine issues a ranking of the most reliable cars based on an intricately tailored set of criteria. The magazine analyzes data from a combination of cumulative tests on automakers’ models and predicted reliability based on reader responses. The magazine’s 2009 findings produced some surprising insights that may run counter to public thought.
Japanese and Korean cars dominate in reliability, with 36 of the top 48 highest reliability scores. All Hondas and Acuras scored above average reliability, while larger companies like Toyota and Nissan produced very few vehicles scoring below average. American brands Dodge, Cadillac and Chrysler rounded out the bottom of the pack.
Perhaps the most unexpected finding from the study was that many luxury brands proved less reliable than more affordable models. Inexpensive small cars and mid-sized family sedans proved to be the most reliable vehicles by category. Luxury brands BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz fell within the bottom third.
Although cars are never guaranteed to run flawlessly, many states have consumer protection laws to protect and help those who have been sold a sub-standard vehicle. Consumers should seek the guidance of an experienced California lemon law attorney to educate them about their rights. If you suspect you’ve been sold a lemon, call the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver for a free consultation about your case at 866-49-LEMON.
The intricate workings of an automobile are hardly common knowledge. Mechanics go through many hours of training, acquire certifications for a variety of automotive tasks, and strive towards understanding the intricate workings of automobiles so that we can rely on their good judgment when diagnosing vehicle problems. Unfortunately, dishonest auto mechanics can place consumers in the precarious position of operating vehicles that they think are safe when in fact they are not.
According to a bclocalnews.com article, an automobile service station was recently cited by police as providing inaccurate vehicle inspection results. Reportedly, the service station was passing vehicles, declaring them free of mechanical defects, when the vehicles were actually in states of disrepair. In some cases, the vehicles should not have been placed back on the road after inspection. Examples of mechanical defects disregarded during the police investigation included fluid leaks, malfunctioning headlights, defective seatbelts, failing tires, and other conditions that were considered detrimental towards protecting the well being of passengers and motorists.
As a consumer, it is important to know that auto repair shops are required to give you a detailed invoice for their work and be honest regarding the condition of your vehicle. Furthermore, mechanics and auto shops have an obligation to properly diagnose vehicle problems, and appropriately repair those problems when asked to do so. If this does not occur, consumers have the right to take legal action.
For more information on how to protect your rights as a consumer when it comes to auto repair fraud, please contact skilled Southern California car repair fraud attorney Howard D. Silver at the Law Offices of Howard D. Silver. Call 866-49-LEMON today for a free consultation.
Dealing with problems that require repeated repairs can be a great burden to a car owner. Not only can it result in substantial financial costs, but also inconvenient trips to the mechanic. What most consumers aren’t aware of is that these underlying problems can be the result of manufacturer errors, and thus the responsibility of the car companies to fix.
Upon discovery of a problem that won’t go away, car companies have a few options for how to proceed. A recent Fraud-News.com story mentions that companies will most commonly issue a product recall or extend warranty coverage for the problems. However, defective vehicle recalls and extended warranties may not be well publicized, and consumers may be unaware that they are entitled to these benefits.
If you suspect that a recurrent problem with your vehicle is related to a product defect, contact the car manufacturer and request its Product Service Publication index. If your problem is listed on the index, request the related technical service bulletin to determine whether the company covers your vehicle’s repairs. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Center for Auto Safety, which also keep records of safety-related automobile recalls.
Manufacturers have a duty to ensure that all of their products meet a certain quality standard before being put on the consumer market. If you have recently purchased a vehicle with recurring issues, you may be entitled to compensation for repairs, a replacement vehicle, or your money back. Call lemon law California attorney Howard D. Silver for a free consultation about your case: 866-49-LEMON.
The recent spate of Toyota safety recalls has gripped the nation over the last several months, and jeopardized Toyota’s industry reputation. Vehicle safety is vigorously policed by organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and strict requirements are placed on car manufacturers to announce any product defects resulting in safety hazards to consumers.
However, defects that affect only product quality, and don’t pose any significant safety risks, often fly under the radar. Car companies will typically issue a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) when a problem is recurrent for a particular model. These bulletins notify technicians to look out for these problems. A TSB-affected repair will often be free under warranty.
Although TSBs rarely escalate to full-blown safety recalls, consumers may question the quality of a vehicle with multiple reported TSBs.
NHTSA keeps records of all TSBs. So far this year, AutomoBlog.net reports that the Kia Forte has registered the most bulletins, with 15 as of June 11th. The GMC Terrain and the Mercedes S-Class followed with 14 and 13 registered TSB’s, respectively.
A high number of registered TSB’s does not necessarily indicate a poor-quality car. Often these models represent new territory for a manufacturer, and will improve as the company learns from its mistakes. For example, the Kia Forte was Kia’s first attempt to market directly to younger buyers with a more modern design aesthetic.
If your recently purchased car seems to require an abnormally high number of repairs, the issues may be caused by a defect registered with a TSB and should be covered by the manufacturer. If you think you are entitled to money for past repairs, call the California lemon law lawyers at Howard D. Silver for a free consultation about your case: (866)-49-LEMON.
