Volkswagen Fire Risk Leads to Hybrid Vehicle Recall

Volkswagen is the latest major auto manufacturer with a vehicle fire problem on its hands.

The company is recalling some 100,000 hybrid vehicles around the world, Reuters reports. Inadequate engine cover fastenings pose a fire risk in the recalled cars, according to VW.

“A loose engine design cover may come in contact with hot surfaces in the engine compartment,” VW told U.S. regulators in a defect report. “This may lead to melting of the cover material. Melted material that may come in contact with extremely hot surfaces (such as the exhaust turbocharger) could lead to a fire in the engine compartment.”

The recall covers some 42,300 VW Passats, Golfs, Tiguans and Arteons worldwide. VW brands Audi, Seat and Skoda are also recalling vehicles over the same defect.

The company expects to alert owners of recalled cars in the U.S. by mid-May. Owners will have to make two trips to a local dealer: the first to get faulty engine design covers removed and the second to get a new engine design cover when they are available.

Four other major car manufacturers have recalled electric cars in the last 16 months, citing battery problems that pose fire risks: General Motors, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced that it is investigating those recalls to determine whether automakers are handling them properly.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that VW has had to call back vehicles over serious defects.

The company recently announced that it is recalling some 46,000 Audis whose fuel gauges may be inaccurate. Volkswagen said in January that it was recalling some 300,000 Audi sport utility vehicles because of an engine defect, which it told regulators increases the risk of a crash.

How the California Lemon Law Protects Car Owners 

The good news for many car owners in California is that you do not need to wait for a recall to have faulty and defective vehicles fixed.

The California lemon law requires auto manufacturers to do various repairs on cars while they are under warranty. Formally known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the lemon law also forces manufacturers to buy back (or replace, in some cases) covered vehicles that they cannot or refuse to fix.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback requirement kicks in. That is one of several reasons why it is important to seek the advice of an experienced lemon law attorney. The lemon law requires car manufacturers to pick up the tab for certain legal fees incurred by owners while enforcing their rights.

Talk 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.