GM Settles Class Action Lawsuit

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Law Office of D. Hardison Wood

General Motors (GM) announced last week that they were settling a class action lawsuit involving approximately 90,000 Saturn vehicles resulting from the VTi transmissions which seem to fail prematurely.

Owners of the aforementioned vehicles will be given a percentage of their expenses, based on vehicle mileage when the transmission failed and whether the car was purchased new or used. Read the Story

GM had touted that this transmission was more efficient that others. What we have been seeing lately in our practice is with the "more efficient" cars - there appears to be a bending of the federal standards for vehicles in this attempt to become more efficient. And that seems to be leading to many products liability issues due to injuries from these vehicles. 

 

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More Potential Car Fires Leads to Recall

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Law Office of D. Hardison Wood

Car fires are much more common that some may think. And frankly, quite often, there is truly a defect in the automobile that caused them. This time the recall involves more GM cars. According to the report GM is recalling 857,735 vehicles, including

2007-2008 model year Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT, GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL and Saturn Outlook; 2006-2008 Hummer H2, Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne; and the 2008 Buick Enclave

According to the report, federal safety regulators said there was a potential for a short circuit in the wiper system which could lead to electrical malfunctions, smoke or raise the potential for a car fire.


In  another GM recall...

88,809 2008-model year Buick Enclave, and 2007-2008 model year GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook SUVs in 28 states and Washington, D.C

are being recalled. That recall is due to the fact a buildup of snow and ice can cause a restriction in the windshield wiper movement and cause the motor to detach from the windshield arm.

If you have been hurt by a product defect in your automobile, the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood would like to discuss your matter with you.
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Vehicle Recalls

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Law Office of D. Hardison Wood
Below are a few  safety defect and non compliance notices received in the month of May 2008. The entire report may be accessed here.
False Park:
    GM IS RECALLING 26 MY 2008 SATURN VUE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 6T70 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION CASE SIDE BORE THAT HOLDS THE PARK PAWL PIVOT PIN MAY HAVE A CASTING POROSITY. THIS CONDITION, COUPLED WITH NORMAL OPERATING STRESSES, COULD LEAD TO FAILURE, ELIMINATING THE ABILITY TO SECURE THE TRANSMISSION IN 'PARK' POSITION.

Brake Failure:
    CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,585 MY 2007-2008 JEEP WRANGLER, RIGHT HAND DRIVE ONLY, VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND REAR BRAKE TUBES. Consequence:
PROLONGED BRAKE TUBE CONTACT COULD WEAR A HOLE IN THE TUBE AND CAUSE A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.


Engine Bolt:
VOLVO IS RECALLING 102 MY 2008 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT BOLTS TO THE ENGINE MOUNT.Consequence:
THE ALUMINUM BRACKET FOR THE ENGINE MOUNT COULD BREAK DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE CLAMPING FORCE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SUB-FRAME, ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN A REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE OR STALLING OF THE ENGINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

These are just a few examples of the  vehicle recalls  in the month  of May,  there  were many more.we  encourage you to read the entire report.
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GM recalls- Fires

Posted on March 23, 2008 by Law Office of D. Hardison Wood
There has been yet another car recall because of a threat of fire. This time it involves GM Buick Regals and Pontiacs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — General Motors has recalled 207,542 1997-2003 Buick Regal GS and Pontiac Grand Prix GTP models with 3.8-liter supercharged V6 engines over a risk that they could catch fire. The recall includes a strong warning not to park the vehicles "in a garage, carport or other structure" to avoid the risk of fire.

"Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking," says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the recalls summary on its Web site. "If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel." Other documentation adds that "most cases have occurred five to 10 minutes after the vehicle has been turned off."

The NHTSA reports that the problem has caused 267 fires to date and six injuries, five of which are minor. There are no fatalities associated with the problem. Read more
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