Congress May Block Feds From Reselling Recalled Cars

Less than one year after one of the country’s largest car dealers was busted for reselling recalled cars, lawmakers in Congress want to stop Uncle Sam from following the same practice.

Legislation recently passed in the House would prohibit the General Services Administration from reselling cars that are subject to recalls. The GSA is an independent agency that oversees the management and facilities for much of the federal government. It is also responsible for handling a huge fleet of government vehicles that are often sold at auction when no longer needed by the feds.

“When consumers buy cars from the federal government, they should not have to worry that the vehicles may be defective,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), a sponsor of the measure said after it was passed as part of an appropriations package amendment. “But by auctioning off recalled cars the GSA is putting American lives in jeopardy. My amendment would require the GSA to ensure the safe operating condition of their vehicles before they sell them to consumers.” 

The legislation comes some four years after a TV news report showed that GSA was auctioning cars with a wide range of defects that had been the subject of recalls but never brought in for repair. Those defects spanned from airbag problems to unexpected engine stalling, according to Spotlight on America.

Last year, a separate report showed that AutoNation was also unloading recalled cars on unsuspecting buyers. About 11 percent – or one in nine – of the cars sold by AutoNation are subject to recalls for defects that have not been addressed, US PIRG Education Fund and the Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety Foundation said.

How the California Lemon Law Protects Car Owners

The recent reports on recall resales highlight a larger problem: Many cars leave the factory floor with serious defects that put people’s safety at risk. Recalling them later down the road leaves does little to eliminate the danger.

The California lemon law is designed to protect car owners in the Golden State by requiring manufacturers to perform certain repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also requires a manufacturer to buy back a vehicle that it is unwilling or unable to fix.

Consult a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you are a car owner or lessor who is haggling with a car manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.

At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We are dedicated to getting the people we represent the compensation they deserve and we have a strong track record of success.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.