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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.

https://www.facebook.com/jtchong007/timeline/story?ut=20&wstart=0&wend=1512115199&hash=2496248153847596282&pagefilter=3

Welcome back to our Blog. This week, we’d like to examine those particular automobile manufacturers which stand out in either highest or lowest number of safety recalls. In this study, we are not focusing on any one particular manufacturer; rather, the industry as a whole. What follows is a recap and executive summary of information presented by the research done by Woburn, MA based automotive research firm iSeeCars, and subsequently presented on www.boston.com.

According to iSeeCars, the industry average during this 31-year period was 1,115 vehicles recalled per 1,000 vehicles sold. (Some vehicles were recalled for multiple reasons). For the report, NHTSA’s recall data for each manufacturer from January 1985 to September 2016 was reviewed, then a ‘recall rate’ was derived by dividing the total number of vehicles affected by the number of new vehicles sold during the same period.

The iSeeCars report had mixed news for German automaker Volkswagen Group. The good news is that Volkswagen’s luxury car brand, Porsche, saw the lowest recall rate during a 31-year review of recall activity by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The bad news is Volkswagen’s non-luxury brand had the highest recall rate during the same period. Porsche had 531 recalls per 1,000 new vehicles sold between 1985 and 2016, while Volkswagen had 1,805 recalls per 1,000 vehicles sold during that same period. The report does not include recalls related to Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scandal, which will likely worsen Volkswagen’s rating.

The report also had some bad news for Tesla, a relative newcomer among automakers. Tesla had the highest rate of ‘severe’ (those problems that could cause death, injury, collisions, fire, or accidents) recalls. However, the report also had several bright spots for Tesla. iSeeCars found that the electric automaker was the most proactive of all companies because it initiated recalls based on its own findings.

Here’s how the 18 major vehicle brands ranked according to their recall rate between between January 1985 and September 2016, from lowest to highest: Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, KIA, Tesla, Mazda, GM, Subaru, Toyota, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Ford, Volvo, BMW, Hyundai, Honda, Volkswagen.

Please recall what we’ve stated in previous blogs: 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 vehicle gets bought back by the manufacturer, and they 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.

Our business is growing and our mission is simple: to educate you, fellow consumers, about the “Lemon Law”, and how it protects those who have found themselves stuck with that new car, truck, RV, motorcycle, etc, that just isn’t performing up to expectations. Stay in the know, visit this site often and let us know if we can be of assistance. The initial consultation is free, and if you’re having a problem, it is well worth a few minutes of your time to understand your rights and how you can get the help you need.

Source : https://www.boston.com/cars/cars/2016/11/01/the-automakers-that-have-the-best-and-worst-recall-rates

Welcome back ! Lately, electrically powered cars seem to be in the news daily, and certainly seem to be gaining in popularity. One of the newest and most talked-about car companies is of course, Tesla. Let’s take a look at early reviews of the Tesla ‘Model 3’, which is Tesla’s first ‘mass-market’ electric vehicle. What follows are the initial reviews of those who have experienced the product.

The positives : The Model 3’s handling is reported to be somewhat “stiffer” than that of the pricier Model S, and that it feels “quicker” and was easier to maneuver. Owners have praised the car’s handling and acceleration. In addition to the overall feel, turning radius is also more nimble. Whereas the Model S requires about three lanes width to accomplish a “u-turn”, the 3 can do it comfortably with two. Some premium features of the X are definitely missed but that’s to be expected for $40k less.

Problem areas : Some owners have reported that the car’s biggest problem so far concerns similar issues we have seen with other Tesla models : Inconsistent door operation. The front driver-side door doesn’t close as easily as it should, and does not properly latch, as we have seen in prior models. Other owners report malfunctions with the Model 3’s Bluetooth features. Problems reported include the fact that the car is constantly connecting to smartphones via Bluetooth every few minutes, resulting in the car ‘waking up’ and unfolding the mirrors – all day long.

The positive responses the Model 3 have received so far are good news for Tesla — which has struggled to meet its production goals for the vehicle. For Tesla to meet their intended market-capitalization goals (regardless of model), the company will have to find success among consumers who can’t afford Tesla’s high-end vehicles. Solving the Model 3’s production issues and working to fulfill the car’s preorders in a somewhat timely manner would be a good first step.

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.

Our business is growing and our mission is simple : to educate you, fellow consumers, about the “Lemon Law”, and how it protects those who have found themselves stuck with that new car, truck, RV, motorcycle, etc, that just isn’t performing up to expectations. Stay in the know, visit this site often and let us know if we can be of assistance. The initial consultation is free, and if you’re having a problem, it is well worth a few minutes of your time to understand your rights and how you can get the help you need.

Source : https://www.businessinsider.com