The “Lemon Law” in North Carolina requires that auto manufacturers repair defective vehicles in North Carolina “within a reasonable number of attempts”. One of the ways that the auto manufacturers can succeed in complying with Lemon Law in NC, is to expeditiously inform consumers when a recall applies to their defective vehicles in North Carolina. The Government Accountability Office released a report this summer that concluded about 1 in 3 vehicles subject to recall are never fixed. The GAO took the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to task, saying the “NHTSA has not consistently used the data it collects to identify which factors make some recalls more successful than others.”
Hundreds of recalls are issued each year – warning consumers of potentially dangerous or costly defects in thousands of vehicles. North Carolina lemon law attorneys understand your rights in such cases. If a defect is significant enough – or if attempted repairs are not successful – the Lemon Law in NC states that you are entitled to compensation, which may include a new vehicle, and your attorney’s fees paid.
Defective vehicles in North Carolina can put your family at risk and may lead to unnecessary costs. For most of us, the purchase of a new vehicle is among our most significant investments. When significant mechanical issues or cosmetic issues arise, and a dealer fails to act in good faith, the North Carolina New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act, NCGS 20-351 (common referred to as NC Lemon Law) offers you protection under the law.
The GAO found that only about 70 percent of vehicles that were recalled were ever properly repaired. The organization also found dealer concerns involving inadequate communications from the manufacturer and an inadequate supply of repair parts. Also at issue was the letter the NHTSA used to notify consumers; evidence suggests letters that include the vehicle’s VIN number and notification of the severity of the defect were more likely to be taken seriously by consumers.
And too many consumers were unfamiliar with the primary means of conveying notices of defects: SafeCar.gov.
The government watchdog also found that manufacturers need to modify how they issue recall notices, so that consumers are better informed and more motivated to seek repair.
The following changes would better assist consumers in dealing with dangerous or defective vehicles:
-The government should modify requirements for defect notification letters, which should include the world URGENT in large letters and the VIN number of the recalled vehicle, or something similar.
-Create a VIN search function for consumers on SafeCar.gov so that an owner can search for his or her specific vehicle to see if there is a recall or if the vehicle has been returned to the manufacturer as a Lemon. This would be a big help for consumers.
-The NHTSA needs to better utilize data on recall rates to look for patterns or trends that could assist in establishing best practices.
If you believe issues with your new car purchase should be covered under the Lemon Law in NC, contact Soboleski Law for a free consultation. Call 828-285-8888
