The Consumer’s Friend received a report of the new BMW keyless system having a dangerous problem: it is unable to sense you are out of the area and far from your vehicle. This can lead to the BMW’s engine being left running for hours unattended. The consumer reported that he got out of his new…
We have been receiving complaints about windshield light “refraction” issues for some models of Toyota Prius. These may result in good Lemon Law claims in California, where Toyota will have to buy-back your Toyota Prius. Contact us for a free Lemon Law assessment
Though many owner’s manuals suggest an airbag be replaced after a certain number of years, few consumers actually do this. And the reason is understandable–replacing an airbag can cost $1,000 or more. In its November 2013 issue, Consumer Reports stated “there doesn’t seem to be much need to [replace old air bags]. The Insurance for…
Car buyer victims of ‘yo-yo’ financing Typical Scenario: Consumer buys car and takes possession of it on a Sunday. During the application process, he provided the dealer with his financial details, including recent pay stubs, while the dealer filled out his application for financing. The consumer signs a sales contract and drives away in the…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the nation’s authority on vehicle-related safety. NHTSA ‘s new SaferCar app provides important information to help consumers make informed safety decisions involving your vehicle. Features include: · 5-Star Safety Ratings: Buy safe by looking up a vehicle’s crash test ratings and comparing ratings for different vehicles. · Recalls…
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced its plans to require automakers and motorcycle manufacturers to provide consumers with a free online tool that will enable them to search recall information by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) starting next year. Many manufacturers already do this, but some don’t — like…
At car dealers across the United States, loans to subprime borrowers are surging – up 18 percent in 2012 from a year earlier, to 6.6 million borrowers, according to credit-reporting agency Equifax Inc. And as a Reuters review of court records shows, subprime auto lenders are showing up in a lot of personal bankruptcy filings,…
Auto lending is up, which has brought concerns about whether risky loans are driving the trend. A new analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York finds new auto loans to borrowers with low credit scores have indeed risen, but are still well below the levels seen during the credit bubble years leading up…
A Florida consumer hit “Straight Talk” prepaid phone co-founders Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and TracFone Wireless Inc. with a putative class action Monday claiming the service promises unlimited data service that is actually subject to several undisclosed restrictions
A federal jury recently handed down the largest award ever given to an individual consumer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act in a suit against Equifax, an awakening verdict for companies that trade on consumer data, which are now more likely to face similar suits. The award consisted of $180,000 in actual damages and $18.4…
