Flying Steering Wheel Badges Spark Fiat Chrysler Recall
» Posted August 17, 2020 • Resources | Share This Post
Car steering wheels tend to work best when pieces of them are not flying off and striking drivers and passengers. That is why Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling more than 900,000 vehicles.
FCA says the cars are being recalled because steering wheel badges are prone to fly off in the event that an airbag is deployed. The “driver airbag emblems” could potentially injure people inside a vehicle, according to the company.
“A loose or detached emblem or emblem retainer can become a potential projectile during a crash with DAB deployment, which may result in occupant injury,” FCA said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The recall covers the 2008-2010 Chrysler Town & Country, 2008-2010 Dodge Caravan and the 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro. Owners of recalled cars can bring them to a local dealer to have a new airbag installed, free of charge.
The company plans to begin notifying owners of recalled vehicles in late August. FCA is aware of at least “14 injuries potentially relating to this issue,” it told NHTSA.
Legal Rights for California Car Owners
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that FCA has recalled vehicles as a result of serious safety issues. The company announced last year, for example, that it needed to take another look at some 300,000 Dodge Darts because of a gear selector issue that could cause the vehicles to unexpectedly roll away.
FCA is hardly alone. Major car companies have made a habit of notifying car owners about serious defects long after their vehicles leave the factory floor. Those defects can put everyone on the road at risk.
That is where the California lemon law comes in. The law requires car manufacturers to make a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also obligates manufacturers to buy back cars that the company either cannot or will not fix. In those situations, the company is required to reimburse the car owner for the purchase price, as well as any financing fees and other related costs.
The law permits a manufacturer to instead offer to replace the detective vehicle, but it is up to the owner to decide whether to accept this alternative arrangement.
Speak With a California Lemon Law Attorney
If you are feeling stuck with a malfunctioning vehicle or are locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over repairs, it is imperative to seek the assistance of a seasoned lawyer.
At the Bickel Law Firm, California lemon law attorney Brian Bickel and his team 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 attorney today.
