Toyota Recalls Prius, C-HR for Risk of Engine Fire

Toyota Motor Corp. recently announced it is recalling over 1 million of its flagship Prius and C-HR vehicles because of a risk of engine fire. Find out if your vehicle was affected, and what to do if it was.

Jeep Cherokees Recalled for Fire Risk

Defective manufacture of vehicles can put drivers at risk of serious injury, even death. Especially when there is fire risk, mechanical issues or software problems turn new vehicles in to a risky proposition without the car buyer even knowing it. Sometimes, though, auto manufacturers find a product defect before anyone gets hurt. That’s what happened with the 2018 Jeep Cherokees recalled for fire risk earlier this month. 

2016 Set Recall Records as Auto Manufacturers Ignore Quality

2016 clocked in at the highest number of recalls in recent decades – both in number of recalls and number of vehicles affected. One report says it’s because auto manufacturers ignore quality and can’t put a number on the cost of non-compliance.

"US Pilot Program Targets Unfixed Recalls"

Does your vehicle have a recall issued for it? One in four vehicles on American roads today do. Now a US pilot program in Maryland is targeting those unfixed recalls by providing additional notices to drivers. Find out if you are affected, and what to do if you have unfixed recalls on your vehicle.

1 in 4 U.S. Vehicles Subject to Recall, Study Finds

Is the car you are driving safe? If yours is one of the 63 million vehicles subject to recall across the country, you and your family could be taking an unnecessary risk.

Samsung Recall Headaches Go Beyond Smartphones to Washers

Just weeks after electronics manufacturer Samsung was forced to abandon its Galaxy Note 7 smart phone, the company is announcing another recall. This time, the company is recalling 2.8 million washing machines because of a risk of injury.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Explosions Prompt Recall

Imagine bringing home a brand new smartphone, plugging it in to charge, and having it explode or catch on fire. That’s what happened to over 30 buyers of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7. Now Samsung has halted sales and instituted an unofficial recall worldwide.

Volkswagen Takes Steps to Settle Diesel Emissions Fraud Claims

Last year, Volkswagen admitted it had cheated on diesel emissions tests in Europe and the US. Now the auto maker has entered into a provisional agreement with the US government and auto owners' attorneys to pay up to $14.7 billion in a first step to settle claims worldwide.

Star Trek Actor's Fatal Accident May Involve Jeep Recall

The sudden and tragic death of Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin took social media by surprise last week. The accident may be connected to a recall on his Jeep Wrangler, which demonstrates how important it is not to ignore recall notices.

Fiat Chrysler Recalls 1.1 Million Cars for Transmission Problems

2016 is promising to continue the trends of intense automotive regulation and massive recalls. On April 22, 2016, Fiat Chrysler announced a recall of over 1.1 million vehicles. The transmission problems have been tied to 24 injuries already, and more could be on the way.

NHTSA Investigates Ford F-150 Brake Failure

Federal regulators are investigating claims that Ford F-150s, one of the most popular vehicles in the nation, is prone to defective brake failure. The investigation stems from many recent complaints, some involving crashes.

Why Consumers Shouldn't Rely on the Better Business Bureau

Whether you are looking for a reliable service provider or trying to choose the best product among a field of options, you may be inclined to look to the Better Business Bureau to help you choose. A new report from CNN Money explains why that might be a bad idea.

A CNN Money investigation recently revealed more than 100 businesses facing serious legal trouble from government regulators, but still maintained at least an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau. Here's a sample of the companies that made the list:

• Recall Failures: Stove manufacturer Electrolux failed to issue recalls for ovens it knew malfunctioned causing flames to shout out of them, causing facial burns. The company paid a $750,000 fine to the Department of Justice in May 2014. BBB Rating: A+
• Discriminatory Lending: Provident Funding Associates, a mortgage broker, charged African-American and Latino borrowers higher interest rates and fees based on their race. They faced a lawsuit from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Justice. The company paid $9 million in damages to borrowers. BBB Rating: A+
• Abusive Collections Practices: Drive Time harassed borrowers and their friends and families with excessive phone calls at inappropriate times, and even at work. It also sent false information to credit bureaus. The lender paid $8 million in civil penalties and provided free credit reports to affected borrowers. BBB Rating: A-

What did all these companies have in common that let them maintain their high ratings? For one, they are all paying members. In 2013, the BBB had nearly 400,000 paying members, resulting in nearly $200 million in revenue. “Accreditation” is something that companies can purchase through membership fees.

The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit company with a set of internal criteria that it uses to rate companies – both members and non-members. But even when the BBB issues “red flags” against a company, it can still maintain a high rating based on long-time membership. Companies can also receive higher ratings for addressing complaints through the BBB system than for any other factor – including not having any complaints at all.

At the same time, government lawsuits and penalties may have such a small impact that a company can maintain an A rating while paying regulators thousands of dollars in fines. Consumer protection lawsuits rank even lower: they aren't a factor at all.

The Better Business Bureau isn't a consumer protection agency. Instead it is in the business of offering paid endorsements to companies, even in the face of regulatory penalties. Don't get fooled by their ratings. Make sure you know whether any review is paid for before you put your money on the line.

Dani K. Liblang is a consumer protection attorney at The Liblang Law Firm, P.C. She represents consumers against businesses that would take advantage of them. If you have been injured by a product defect or are facing harassing debt collections, contact The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., today for a free consultation.

Britax Recalls Child Safety Seats for Harness Defect

Britax, a top child safety seat company headquartered in South Carolina, recently announced a recall on its ClickTight Convertible safety seat after a report found problems with the harness. The defect could affect over 200,000 products, rendering them completely useless to protect infants and children.

Ford Announces Ignition Recall

Last month, Ford Motor Company issued a recall for 433,000 vehicles. Hoping to avoid the same problems that plagued General Motors and Takata, the auto-maker issued its recall before anyone had reported accidents or injuries.

Safety Administration Calls Out Fiat Chrysler

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has called Fiat Chrysler to appear at a public hearing tomorrow, July 2, 2015, to address safety concerns. The administration says the Michigan auto maker didn't issue recalls fast enough to address key safety issues.

The NHTSA is in charge of monitoring automotive manufacturers selling cars in the United States to make sure they build their cars safely and respond to reports of defects appropriately. But according to the NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler hasn't done either. According to a public notice released ahead of tomorrow's hearing:

"NHTSA has tentatively concluded that Fiat Chrysler has not remedied vehicles in a reasonable time and has not adequately remedied vehicles."

At the public hearing, Fiat Chrysler will have to answer how it met its duty to send vehicle owners notice of safety issues and recalls. At issue are 22 safety campaigns, including 20 different recalls applying to 11 million vehicles. The recalls cover everything from ignition switches to fuel tanks, air bags to axles. Some of the safety issues could affect the way Fiat Chrysler vehicles steer, brake, and handle.

This isn't the first time that the NHTSA has called Fiat Chrysler out for safety issues. After the administration sent the automaker 12 pages of questions earlier this year, Fiat Chrysler provided over 5 million pages of safety documents. The manufacturer asserts that this documentation eliminated the need for any hearing. According to Fiat Chrysler spokesperson Eric Mayne:

"The initiatives described in our response to NHTSA's Special Order reflect a deep commitment to thorough investigation and the timely remedy of safety defects. . . . While this commitment has helped FCA US LLC achieve positive results, we will not be satisfied until we firmly re-establish the trust our customers place in us."

But the mountain of documents does not explain why Fiat Chrysler failed to notify owners of safety concerns within the 60 day window provided by the NHTSA. In one case, notices in an air bag recall were over five months late. In at least 2 recalls, notices have yet to go out at all.

If the NHTSA isn't satisfied with Fiat Chrysler's responses at the Washington hearing scheduled for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, the administration could require the automaker to pay over $700 million in fines and to replace or buy back defective vehicles.

By failing to provide prompt recall notices to its auto owners, Fiat Chrysler put millions of drivers at risk. Accidents caused by these defective vehicles could cost motorists thousands of dollars, and even their lives.

Attorney Dani K. Libliang of The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., is an auto accident attorney with a passion for protecting the victims of automotive defects. If you or someone you know has been in a serious auto accident, contact The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., today for a free consultation.