HONDA INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS NOT ENTERTAINING ANYONE

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Recently Honda customers are complaining in increasing numbers of problems arising from faulty Navigation / Infotainment systems and may soon reach class action lawsuit status. We have also been made aware of charging issues (for the “Clarity” electric vehicle) also exhibiting faults. There are numerous online forums filled with customer complaints about these defective infotainment systems and charging systems, affecting 2018-2019 Honda Pilot, Honda Odyssey and Honda Clarity.

Common complaints from owners of these Honda vehicles report that the Infotainment (“IVI”) system does not function as advertised. Bluetooth issues arise, cameras and sensor systems can become totally non-responsive, resulting in owners being unable to take advantage of these features. These defective systems lock up, cause system hang-ups / screen freezes / screen blanking, and a mountain of frustration for end-users.

What is unfortunate is Honda’s apparent lack of willingness to own up to the problem or be able to properly diagnose and provide a fix for these issues. In many reported cases, Honda technicians simply do not know how to proceed to properly diagnose or fix the problem. Entire systems have been replaced, to no avail. This has gone so far as to result in a downgraded rating from Consumer Reports regarding the 2018 Honda Odyssey which is “No Longer Recommended” due to “much-worse-than-average reliability, with problems including the infotainment display freezing and losing all functionality.”

Could this be another instance of faulty software / lack of proper testing?

Please remember: if you have a vehicle AND it is under the manufacturer’s warranty, you are entitled to fair treatment and getting the problem fixed in a timely manner. In many cases, the manufacturer will repurchase your vehicle, and may even have to pay civil penalties and or reimbursement of your expenses. It helps to understand your rights as a consumer, and the California Lemon Law expert is here to help you or someone you may know who is in this situation. If your vehicle is not functioning properly and is under warranty, you have rights under the law that you need to thoroughly understand. Call us today for a free, no charge consultation at 916-672-8443.

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Driverless Cars Freaking you out?

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Driverless Cars Freaking You Out?

 

Would you get in a vehicle controlled by driverless car technology? https://www.techradar.com/news/driverless-cars-explained  Nearly 75% of drivers, in all age groups, have no confidence in driverless cars that implement all aspects of driving.  But cars that assist drivers with blind spot monitoring, lane departure and forward collision warning systems have grown support with consumers and researchers.  They just don’t like the idea of a computer taking full control of a car.

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/autonomous-cars-human-drivers-still-required.shtml

 

And research has shown that only 13 percent of consumers would feel safe in a driverless car.

70 percent of men would not feel safe on the roads where a self-driving car was being operated.  The same question was asked of women, and 83 percent of them said they wouldn’t feel safe.

 

AAA says the data indicates that media reports of crashes involving autonomous technology, i.e., blind spot monitoring, lane departure and forward collision warning systems, haven’t sold consumers on the idea of a driverless car.

 

There have been some well-publicized deaths involving semi-autonomous technology in Telsa and Uber vehicles.  These events have also caused consumers to distrust a driverless car.

 

 

 

Please remember : if you have a vehicle AND it is under the manufacturer’s warranty, you are entitled to fair treatment and getting the problem fixed in a timely manner. In many cases, the manufacturer will repurchase your vehicle, and may even have to pay civil penalties and or reimbursement of your expenses. It helps to understand your rights as a consumer, and the California Lemon Law expert is here to help you or someone you may know who is in this situation. If your vehicle is not functioning properly and is under warranty, you have rights under the law that you need to thoroughly understand. Call us today for a free, no charge consultation at 916-672-8443.

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Toyota Cracking Up?

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A recent class-action lawsuit against Toyota Prius 2016-2017 cars alleges that the windshields have defects that cause visibility problems and safety issues.  The owners of these cars claim that the chips and cracks in the glass cost them hundred of dollars to replace the windshields with the ones that are as defective as the originals.

 The plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit claim that Toyota  routinely denies warranty coverage for cracked windshields by blaming the damage on road debris and rocks.  But some claim that the windshields crack while the cars are parked.  Typically the cost to replace the windshields have been between $400 and $800 and even more to fix front camera systems once the old windshield are removed.

 Toyota says the arguments will not hold up according to the law, even though more than 200,000 2016-2017 Prius cars could be affected by the lawsuit.  With regards to the claims about design defects involving the windshields, Toyota states the new vehicle warranty omits design defects in Toyota’s written warranty concerning “materials and workmanship.”

 

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 Please remember : if you have a vehicle AND it is under the manufacturer’s warranty, you are entitled to fair treatment and getting the problem fixed in a timely manner. In many cases, the manufacturer will repurchase your vehicle, and may even have to pay civil penalties and or reimbursement of your expenses. It helps to understand your rights as a consumer, and the California Lemon Law expert is here to help you or someone you may know who is in this situation. If your vehicle is not functioning properly and is under warranty, you have rights under the law that you need to thoroughly understand. Call us today for a free, no charge consultation at 916-672-8443.

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Tesla Results and Model 3 Production Update

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Tesla, the American automobile company known for it’s sleek, all-electric vehicle product line, is in the news again. This week,  the Company announced its Q1 results, which were received largely as a mixed bag:  Tesla’s first quarter adjusted net loss widened to $3.35/share as revenue grew 26% to a record $3.4 billion, slightly better than consensus.  However, 2nd half profitability is possible if the company can achieve productions targets of new models, particularly the “Model 3” sedan.

Therefore, investors are primarily focused on Tesla’s ability to ramp up Model 3 production.  Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has stated that they are targeting production of 3,000 vehicles per week soon, and 5,000 vehicles per week two months from now. The 5,000 unit target has been in place since February.  Production of the Model 3 was halted earlier this year at the Fremont, CA factory, in an attempt to re-tool and prepare the factory for the higher production levels.  As many in the industry have noted, this is no simple task.  Robotics play a key role in optimizing production levels, but so do human workers.  Tesla seems to be searching for the right balance between the two, having stated earlier that they had placed too much emphasis on automation.  They’ve not been shy in touting that the company would soon implement restructuring to cut costs and simplify its processes.

We’re cheering the success of this iconic American automobile company.  However, we know all too well the consequences of ramping up production without thorough QA process :  defects !  Hopefully, Tesla will be able to reach its production targets while avoiding a surge in product safety defects or other quality problems.

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Please remember :  if you have a vehicle AND it is under the manufacturer’s warranty, you are entitled to fair treatment and getting the problem fixed in a timely manner.  In many cases, the manufacturer will repurchase your vehicle, and may even have to pay civil penalties and or reimbursement of your expenses. It helps to understand your rights as a consumer, and the California Lemon Law expert is here to help you or someone you may know who is in this situation.  If your vehicle is not functioning properly and is under warranty, you have rights under the law that you need to thoroughly understand. Call us today for a free, no charge consultation at 916-672-8443.

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Chevrolet Bolt Experiencing Power Loss Issues

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General Motors, maker of the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle, has been forced to issue a “customer satisfaction bulletin” to address an apparent low voltage cell condition that may cause a power loss during operation.
Although GM further explains that it’s not (yet) a recall, they are advising owners to contact their dealership for – you guessed it – a software update.

The Chevy Bolt utilizes 350V Lithium Ion batteries. As these batteries develop the problem, the power may be reduced in some of these vehicles due to the low voltage occurrence.  The result: possible false battery charge information and inaccurate power readings.
Bolt owners have been advised to maintain a minimum charge level of 30% or more in order to avoid power loss and shutdown problems. The software update apparently provides drivers more advance notice of low voltage conditions so that drivers may safely get the car off the road. GM has yet to announce a permanent fix to the problem.
Some owners have reported that the problems are ongoing, the resultant loss of power presents a safety hazard, and that the problems have been ongoing for several months.
If you are a Bolt owner and have experienced problems such as those described above, please contact our office for a free consultation. Please remember : if you have a vehicle AND it is under the manufacturer’s warranty, you are entitled to fair treatment and getting the problem fixed in a timely manner. In many cases, the manufacturer will repurchase your vehicle, and may even have to pay civil penalties and or reimbursement of your expenses. It helps to understand your rights as a consumer, and the California Lemon Law expert is here to help you or someone you may know who is in this situation. If your vehicle is not functioning properly and is under warranty, you have rights under the law that you need to thoroughly understand.

 

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