Car owners in Pennsylvania should be aware that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration may recall a vehicle if there is a manufacturing or design issue that makes the vehicle unsafe in some way. When this occurs, owners of the recalled vehicles can go to dealerships and have the defective parts replaced or repaired at no cost.
In some states, it falls on the dealerships to notify vehicle owners of recalls. In several states, the manufacturers, even in states in which doing so is not mandatory, will notify consumers. However, there are many vehicle owners who will not be notified of pending recalls and must depend on the NHTSA and its website, which has a record of all pending recalls.
The majority of dealerships provide recall remedies fairly easily and speedily. If a vehicle owner goes to a dealership or mechanic who refuses to conduct the necessary remedy, the owner should contact the NHTSA or the manufacturer. Having the defect corrected may be essential to ensuring that the vehicle can be operated safely.
There are many cases in which a vehicle may not work as it should, regardless of the number of repairs it undergoes. These vehicles are referred to as lemons, or vehicles that have a defect that significantly hinders or prevents operation. In order for the vehicle to be classified as a lemon, the defect must have been present when the vehicle was purchased.
An attorney who practices consumer protection law may advise clients about which legal steps to take to recoup losses that stem from purchasing defective vehicles. The attorney may engage in litigation on behalf of a client to hold negligent parties, such as car dealerships, financially liable for misrepresentation.