Dodge Warns of Challenger, Charger Wheel Problem
» Posted December 9, 2019 • Resources | Share This Post
When you spend all of that money buying a new car, you kind of expect the wheels to work.
Dodge is recalling less than 200 vehicles that were equipped with the wrong front wheels and tires, The Drive reports. That poses a significant safety defect for everyone on the road, according to the company.
“Vehicles built with an incompatible front wheel and brake package may not have adequate clearance between the tire inner sidewall and the suspension steering knuckle, potentially allowing contact of these components,” Dodge said in a defect notice. “Contact of the front tire inner sidewall to the steering knuckle could result in tire damage and a sudden loss of tire air pressure.”
“A sudden loss of tire air pressure can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning,” the company added.
Dodge began alerting the owners of 173 Challengers and Chargers covered by the recall of the defect in November. Each of the cars was manufactured at Dodge’s Ontario, Canada plant between May 28 and Sept. 25, 2019. The company is offering to inspect and repair the vehicles at no cost to owners.
This is not the first time that Dodge has had to issue a recall to handle serious defects long after cars leave the factory floor. The company in November also recalled some 30,000 minivans because of faulty seatbelts Dodge said couldn’t be trusted in the event of a collision.
Legal Rights for California Car Owners
The Dodge recalls are just some of the latest examples of new cars hitting the road with significant defects that pose serious safety hazards. The good news for car owners in California is that the state’s lemon law offers some important protections.
The Song-Warranty Consumer Warranty Act requires carmakers to repair vehicles while they are under warranty and to buy back vehicles that the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price and other related expenses. The manufacturer can instead offer to replace the vehicle, but it is up to the owner to decide whether to accept that alternative.
The law also requires the carmaker to pick up any legal fees that an owner incurs enforcing his or her rights.
Talk with an Experienced California Lemon Law Lawyer
If you’re a California car owner driving a lemon, it is vital that you consult an experienced lawyer to consider your rights and options.
The California lemon law attorneys at the Bickel Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. We understand the significant stress that can come with haggling with car dealers and manufacturers. Our lawyers work aggressively to resolve these cases for the people that we represent and we have a strong track record of successful results for our clients.
Our offices are conveniently located in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.
