General Motors Recalls 680,000 Vehicles Over Defective Wipers

General Motors is recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles over a defect that could make them difficult to drive in wet weather.

The windshield wipers on certain 2014 to 2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles could fail, the company recently told federal regulators.

“The ball joints in the windshield wiper modules of these vehicles may experience

high corrosion and wear that could result in the separation of one or more ball

joints from their sockets during wiper operation, GM said in a defect notice. “If a ball joint were to separate, one or both of the windshield wipers could become inoperative.”

That is a recipe for disaster.

“If one or both of the windshield wipers become inoperative, it could limit the driver’s visibility under certain operating conditions, which may increase the risk of a crash,” GM said in the notice.

The company said it plans to notify the owners of recalled cars by early May. It will ask owners to bring their vehicles to a local dealer for inspection and repair.

The recall is the latest in a string for GM and its car owners. The company recently called back certain new Hummer electric vehicles over faulty tail lights.

Last year, GM recalled roughly 15,000 vehicles because of a fuel pump defect that the company said could result in cars stalling unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. GM more recently called back some 95,000 sport utility vehicles, citing a defect that could cause their seatbelts to become inoperable.

California Car Owners: Know Your Legal Rights

GM is not an outlier. The world’s largest auto manufacturers routinely issue recalls, citing a wide range of defects and malfunctions that threaten the safety of everyone on the road. They often announce these recalls long after the cars have been sold to unsuspecting buyers.

The good news for car owners in the Golden State is that you do not have to wait for a recall to get defective vehicles fixed. California’s lemon law gives you some important rights and protections. 

Also known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the lemon law generally requires carmakers to do a wide range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also obligates automakers to buy back cars that they cannot or refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, along with financing fees and other related costs.

The law allows car manufacturers to offer to replace a malfunctioning vehicle, instead of buying it back. It is up to the owner to decide whether to accept or reject this alternative arrangement, however. 

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.