attorney general contact who handles vehicle recalls

by Mr. Willis Ondricka 7 min read

What is the dealership’s responsibility for removing recalls?

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What happens if a manufacturer refuses to conduct a recall?

Jan 11, 2022 · Auto loans or payments — File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Car warranty — Contact your state's attorney general. But, if you bought a used car from a private owner, the warranty may not be valid. Safety of your car, child car seats, or tires — File a complaint with the Department of Transportation.

Who is responsible for corrective action in a recall campaign?

Jan 03, 2017 · NastLaw founder Dianne Nast has been appointed to the executive committee in the lawsuit against General Motors for defective ignition switches. Our attorneys have decades of experience in vehicle recall litigation for components such as: Tires. Airbags. Accelerators. Ignition switches and more. General Motors Ignition Switch Lawsuit Update.

What is an automobile recall?

Consumer Product Recalls. The Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually.

How to file a complaint against a car dealer?

If you have a complaint about your car, file it with the dealer, lender, or manufacturer. If you don't get results, you can contact a state or federal government agency. If your complaint is about: 1 Deceptive car ads or dealers — File a complaint with your state consumer protection agency and the Federal Trade Commission . 2 Auto repair shops — File a complaint with your state consumer protection agency. 3 Car rentals — File a complaint with your state consumer protection agency and the Federal Trade Commission. 4 Auto loans or payments — File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 5 Car warranty — Contact your state's attorney general. But, if you bought a used car from a private owner, the warranty may not be valid. 6 Safety of your car, child car seats, or tires — File a complaint with the Department of Transportation.

What to do if you bought a used car from a private owner?

Auto loans or payments — File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Car warranty — Contact your state's attorney general. But, if you bought a used car from a private owner, the warranty may not be valid. Safety of your car, child car seats, or tires — File a complaint with the Department of Transportation.

Do lemon laws apply to new cars?

Most states have some form of a lemon law to protect car buyers. These laws tend to only apply to new cars. Check with your state's consumer protection office to see if they also cover used cars. Each state has its own requirements, but common factors to qualify as a lemon include:

Who initiates recalls?

Recalls are generally initiated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) or by the vehicle manufacturer once they have discovered a defect in the design or manufacturing of part or all of a vehicle. Any party to the product’s distribution chain may be held liable for product defect.

When is a recall necessary?

A recall of a vehicle becomes necessary when: The vehicle or car part does not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard; and. There is a safety related defect in the vehicle equipment.

What is a motor vehicle defect?

In regards to a lawsuit or a car defects recall, a motor vehicle defect usually refers only to those flaws which create safety hazards. Or, those flaws that may result in the injury of the operator or passengers. Aesthetic flaws such as a botched paint job or a misplaced decal are usually not the subject of a vehicle defects claim.

What are the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards?

Federal motor vehicle safety standards are responsible for setting the minimum performance requirements for those parts of cars that will most likely affect the operation of a vehicle. This includes but may not be limited to brakes, tires, steering wheel, or lighting.

Who is liable for product defects?

Any party to the product’s distribution chain may be held liable for product defect. Some examples of who could be held liable, and therefore may issue a recall, include: The product’s manufacturer, as previously mentioned; The party responsible for assembling or installing the defective product;

What are the defects that could lead to a recall?

In addition the defects already discussed, a few more common defects that may lead to a recall include: Air bag deployment defects; Vehicle steering parts that break or malfunctions causing a possible loss of control; Wiring flaws and fuel leaks that could potentially cause fire; Faulty or defective tires;

What happens if a car is recalled?

If your vehicle or part of your vehicle is recalled, the manufacturer is required by federal law to notify all registered owners and purchasers by first class mail. They must do so by using state vehicle registration information in order to locate the owners.

How many people died in traffic accidents in 2009?

In 2009, approximately 30,000 lives were lost on our Nation’s highways Although 30,000 reflect a 28% decrease in traffic fatalities since 2006, much can still be done to address this issue on our Nation's highways Traffic crashes are the primary cause of debilitating injuries in the United States and the number one killer of Americans under the age of 34 In addition to staggering emotional costs, the annual economic loss to society because of these crashes, in terms of worker productivity, medical costs, insurance costs, etc , is estimated at more than $230 billion Clearly, there is a need for dramatic improvement in motor vehicle safety Getting unsafe vehicles off the road is integral to improving safety and saving lives.

What is a safety defect?

Generally, a safety defect is defined as a problem that exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment that: poses an risk to motor vehicle safety, and. may exist in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacture, or items of equipment of the same type and manufacture.

What are some examples of safety related defects?

Examples of defects considered safety-related. Steering components that break suddenly causing partial or complete loss of vehicle control. Problems with fuel system components, particularly in their susceptibility to crash damage, that result in leakage of fuel and possibly cause vehicle fires. Accelerator controls that may break or stick.

What is the purpose of the NHTSA recall booklet?

The purpose of this Motor Vehicle Safety Defects and Recalls Booklet is to answer the most commonly asked questions about how and why recall campaigns are initiated, and to inform consumers of their rights and responsibilities when a vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment is recalled . In these pages, you’ll discover how to report a safety-related problem to NHTSA, as well as how participation by citizens like you helps to keep motor vehicles as safe as possible. See the following section for comprehensive answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) NHTSA receives on recalls.

What is critical vehicle?

Critical vehicle components that break, fall apart, or separate from the vehicle, causing potential loss of vehicle control or injury to persons inside or outside the vehicle. Wiring system problems that result in a fire or loss of lighting.

What is an airbag?

Air bags that deploy under conditions for which they are not intended to deploy. Child safety seats that contain defective safety belts, buckles, or components that create a risk of injury, not only in a vehicle crash but also in non-operational safety of a motor vehicle.

Can a manufacturer challenge a recall?

Yes. Once the agency has made a final decision of a safety-related defect and ordered a manufacturer to recall, the manufacturer may challenge that order in a Federal District Court.

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In 2016, a record-high 53.2 million vehicles were recalled in the United States. More than 50 million cars have been recalled in each of the past three years, a stunning fact considering auto recalls over the previous two decades have ranged between 10.2 million and 30.8 million. Many of these recalls were associated with two prominent defects:

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