Toyota Sienna Sliding Doors Class Action

Lemon Law, Toyota , ,

 

A class action law suit has been filed against Toyota for defective automatic sliding doors in 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna minivans.  The lawsuit alleges that a problem with the doors prevents them from latching shut.  The doors can open automatically, on their own, even when the vehicle is in motion, representing a dangerous and potentially fatal situation.  Conversely, the defect can also cause the doors to be stuck shut, trapping occupants in the vehicle.

 

That problem involves sliding doors with motor circuits that can become overloaded, causing the fuse malfunction. With an open fuse, the door could open while driving if the door latch is in an unlatched position.  Although Toyota has issued a recall for the doors, they have provided no repair solution.  Consumers are advised to disable the power mechanism in the doors and just operate them manually.  Since many buyers of minivans view power sliding rear doors as a key and essential feature, forcing owners to operate the doors strictly manually represents a significant inconvenience and devaluation of the car.

 

 

The class action lawsuit alleges that Toyota has been aware of the sliding door defect since before 2013. It claims Toyota was privy to the complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as far back as 2011.  Still, Toyota continued to sell the affected Toyota Siennas without taking steps to fix the defect or notify its customers, the plaintiffs say. The company did not issue a recall for the problem until November 2016.

 

The Toyota Sienna Sliding Door Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Tonya Combs et al v. Toyota Motor Corporation et al, 2:17-cv-04633, in the California District Court.  Here, is a description of a fix for certain models, though you should check with your dealer.

 

 

If you are experiencing problems with the sliding doors on your Toyota Sienna, call us for a Free Consultation to discuss your claim

Nissan Air Conditioning Problems

Lemon Law, Nissan

Owners of various Nissan models including Rogues and Leafs have suffered through repeated air-conditioning failures, finding their air conditioning continually blows hot air and will not cool.  Beyond inconvenience, the malfunction can be dangerous in some environments as overheated cars cannot be cooled.

Consumers are being told by Nissan dealers that a new condenser would fix the problem, that there was no problem at all, or are being given various other explanations and excuses.  Still their A/C remains non-functional.

What are the symptoms?

Air conditioning blows hot air, even with the engine running, after a sufficient period of time, and with all fluids topped off.

What are attempted fixes?

  • Recharge refrigerant.  Replacement of most air conditioning components requires complete evacuation of the air conditioning system with a refrigerant recovery machine. Once components are re-installed, the technician will remove all air from the system in preparation for recharging the system with new refrigerant.
  • Replace entire A/C compressor
  • Check for leaks along the entire air conditioning system

 

Lemon law lady

 

If you have had ongoing problems with your Nissan air conditioning, you may be entitled to compensation for vehicle problems, repair costs, and other damages.  The Law Office of Howard Gutman has been fighting for consumer rights against car manufacturers for more than 30 years.

Call (973) 598-1980 for a free consultation.  We handle most claims on contingency with no payment required unless we secure a settlement.

GM Recalls 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500s

General Motors, Uncategorized

General Motors has recalled almost 700,000 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500s and 2014 GMC Sierra 1500s  for a potentially dangerous steering defect.

These trucks’ power steering assist (“EPS”) can cut out, especially during low speed turns, and then return suddenly.  This may result in a loss of control of the vehicle.  Additional symptoms of the problem may include other electrical systems cutting out and warning light indicators going off.

The loss and sudden return of EPS assist typically happens within a one second period and is caused by an electrical/software issue.

The recall follows National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report #17V414 on General Motor’s Electronic Power Steering assist on this make and model vehicle.  NHTSA said the fault occurs when the system voltage drops below 8.8 volts for more than one second, or during low-speed turn. EPS assist is disabled until voltage returns to 9 volts for a minimum of 40 milliseconds, at which point EPS assist returns.  According to GM the underlying problem is a defect in the EPS module software.

GM’s fix is to reprogram the EPS module.  Consumers can also call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-432-8782 for assistance. GM’s number for this recall is 17276.

 

Call for a free consultation

Have you done all that and are getting nowhere with GM?  If you are having steering problems with your 2014 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra, you may be entitled compensation.  Call the Law Office of Howard Gutman for a free consultation on your claim.

Dodge Dart Transmission Problems

Lemon Law , ,

A class action lawsuit was filed regarding problems with 2013-2016  Dodge Dart manual transmissions.  The problem lies with the clutch failing to engage the gears, resulting in potentially serious and dangerous problems.

Vehicles

  • 2013-2016 Dodge Dart vehicles equipped with a Fiat C635 manual transmission that cause their vehicles’ clutches to fail and stick to the floor.

 

Symptoms

  • Plaintiffs claim the “clutch pedal loses pressure, sticks to the floor, and fails to engage/disengage gears. As a result, the Class Vehicles exhibit stalling, failure to accelerate, and premature failure of the Clutch System’s components, including the clutch master cylinder (“CMC”) and reservoir hose, clutch slave cylinder (“CSC”) and release bearing, clutch disc, pressure plate, and flywheel (the “clutch defect”).”

 

Underlying Causes

  • The clutch defect is caused by the degradation of the clutch reservoir hose, which releases plasticizer and fibers, causing contamination of the hydraulic fluid that bathes the components of the Clutch System.
  • As a result, the contamination causes the internal and external seals of the CMC and CSC to swell and fail.  According to Plaintiffs, when fluid in the hydraulic system becomes contaminated, all of the components that have been exposed to the contaminated fluid must be replaced and any steel tubing must also be thoroughly cleaned with brake cleaner and blown out until dry to ensure that none of the contaminants remain.
  • Plaintiffs also claim an additional defect in the CSC which exacerbates the problems with the Clutch System. FCA designed its CSC as an assembly composed of an aluminum body with a clipped-on plastic base whereas other manufacturers’ slave cylinders are composed of a single, solid cast aluminum component which creates a rigid base.

 

Call the Law Office of Howard Gutman at 973-598-1980 for a free consultation on your Dodge Dart claim
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