Corvettes Recalled Over Front Trunk Issue

When you are driving a car, it helps to be able to see where you are going.

General Motors is recalling more than 7,000 Chevrolet Corvettes because of a software defect, the company recently told federal regulators. The problem is that drivers can still reach max speeds when the latch on the cars’ front trunk lid is open, potentially allowing the lid to fly open and block drivers’ views.

Despite the recall, GM points out that audible chimes and visual indicators on the cars’ display panels will still alert drivers when the latch is open.

“If drivers ignore the vehicle’s visual and audible warnings that the front trunk lid is open, they can drive the vehicle in that condition at speed, which could increase the likelihood that the wind force is sufficient to inadvertently flip open the hood,” GM said in a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

“If the hood is open (i.e., the primary and secondary latches are not engaged) while driving at speed, the hood could flip open and obstruct the driver’s forward view, increasing the risk of a crash,” GM added.

The recall covers certain 2020 Corvette sports cars. The company said it would begin notifying the owners of recalled cars in early October. 

GM said it will fix the issue with the software that prevents the cars from going faster than 26 miles per hour when the latch is unhitched. The company is also planning to fix key fobs to reduce the risk that front trunks are inadvertently opened.

Once notified, they can bring their vehicles to a local dealer for a software update or opt for an over-the-air update.

How a California Lemon Law Lawyer Can Help

This is not the first recall for GM. The car company, combined with every major auto manufacturer, recalls millions of vehicles per year because of a wide range of defects that pose serious safety risks.

For car owners and lessors in California, the state’s lemon law provides some important protections against malfunctioning vehicles. The law requires car manufacturers to perform repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces the company to buy back cars that the company is not willing or unable to fix.

If you are a California car owner or lessor who is stuck with a malfunctioning vehicle or locked in a dispute with a manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law lawyer can help. A lawyer will work with you to 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 work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve.

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 lawyer today.