Illinois Lemon Law Blog

Auto-related complaints were quoted as the top issue by consumers and consumer protection agencies for the second year in a row, in this 2010 complaint survey conducted by these three government agencies. These auto-related complaints include misrepresentations in advertising or sales of new and used cars, lemon buy backs and used cars with faulty repairs. These auto-related complaints also include misrepresentations regarding the leasing and towing disputes of the used cars. The Consumer Federation of America (CFA), the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA), and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI) collectively looked at more than a half million complaints in 18 different states, in a 2010 complaint survey conducted by them.

Every State has passed a Consumer Fraud Protection Act and, so has Illinois. The Illinois Consumer Fraud Protection Act allows Illinois used car consumers to fight the fraudulent companies who use deceptive business practices. Provisions in the law permit the consumer to recover triple damages and attorney’s fees and costs.

Some of the activities which violate the Illinois Consumer Fraud Acts in the United States:

• The use by any Illinois used car business of any “unconscionable commercial practice, deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise or misrepresentation” in connection with the sale or advertisement of an Illinois new or used car
• Willfully conceal, suppress or omit important facts about an Illinois used car
• Failure to provide an exact copy of a contract to the Illinois used car consumers
• A towing or an auto storage company charging excessive or discriminatory rates for the Illinois used or new car
• An Illinois used car dealer’s failing to disclose a known defect in the vehicle
• A used car dealer’s misrepresentation in the sale of the Illinois used car
• An Illinois used car dealer’s failure to provide a state required warranty
• A used car dealer’s failure to re-purchase a vehicle after unsuccessful attempts to repair it
• Advertising an Illinois used car for sale without the store being able to honor the sales quantity or price
• Used car dealers baiting an Illinois car consumer into purchasing or leasing but switching the deal to an Illinois car, he does not afford

The Illinois Lemon Law and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act

Fraudulent Illinois used car dealers may sell you damaged cars and this deceptive practice is rampant in the automotive industry. The most common two deceptions are the odometer is rolled back in the vehicle or an Illinois used car is given a temporary cosmetic face-lift to make it merchantable.

The Illinois Lemon law and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act provide protection for consumers who purchase or lease cars which cannot be fixed or cannot be fixed quickly. According to these laws, if the Illinois new or used car is subjected to at least three unsuccessful repair attempts during warranty period and the problem hampers the use and decreases the value or safety of the car, the consumer can file a suit.

The Illinois Consumer Fraud Act covers most transaction sales and leases to an Illinois consumer but does not apply to products or services purchased with the intent of re-sale. If a business violates the consumer protection laws, the consumer is entitled to damages three times the value of actual loss, his Illinois attorney’s fees and costs incurred. If a consumer is not successful in proving his loss, reasonable legal fee is still recoverable. This provision helps a consumer to retain an attorney to sue a company for a violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act.

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Illinois lemon law Attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

In case your Illinois lemon law claim is not honored by the state lemon law, you may seek the same protection under a federal law, the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. The Magnuson-Moss Act is a Federal Trade Commission Act that is intended to increase the enforceability of warranties and protect consumers. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act was designed to protect consumers from deceptive warranty practices. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act extends the Illinois new and lemon used car consumers’ protection and resolves warranty complaints.

Remedies for breach of warranty can be obtained as given in 810 ILCS 5/2-718 and 810 ILCS 5/2-719 of the Act. Under 810 ILCS 5/2-719, the contract may provide for remedies in addition to or in substitution for those provided in the UCC and may limit the Illinois new or used car buyer’s remedies, unless the limitation is unconscionable.

Implied Warranty for the Illinois new and lemon used car for the suitability of its use

When a conflict of warranties arises:

• An implied warranty of fitness of the Illinois new and lemon used car would void an inconsistent express warranty
• An express warranty to replace defective parts would void the inconsistence in the warranty of merchantability of the Illinois new and lemon used car
• Both express or implied warranties of an Illinois new or used car are considered to be consistent with each other and cumulative
• If both the express or implied warranties appear irrational
• The parties involved would determine the dominance of a given warranty of the Illinois new or used car

Who are the others who can get affected by the breach of warranty for the Illinois new and lemon used car

All family members and guests of the Illinois new and lemon used car buyer can get affected by the breach of express or implied warranties.

How does a breach of warranty for the Illinois new and lemon used car affect the safety and the revenue in a family

According to the Illinois Supreme Court, the UCC warranty provisions govern the ‘economic loss’ through decrease of the market value, money spent on repairs and replacement parts and lost revenue. These can be recovered only under a breach of warranty, while personal injuries can be recovered in tort.

The provisions as given in the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act for enforcement of rights and remedies are read by the Illinois lemon law attorneys in conjunction with those rights, remedies and defenses given in the Uniform Commercial Code. An Illinois lemon law attorney also takes into consideration, lemon laws and other state laws used to create special rights and remedies for the Illinois new and lemon used car consumers. The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act even applies if the defect in the Illinois lemon used car is eventually repaired but took a very long time to do so.

Information given above is not intended as legal advice. You may continue your lemon law claim or any other contention with your automobiles by contacting Illinois Lemon Law Attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

The FTC Used Car Rule (16 §455) for the Illinois used lemon car

The FTC Used Car Rule came into effective on the 9th of May, 1985. The FTC Used Car Rule covers all used vehicles barring a few motorcycles and leased vehicles bought by the lessee and applies to those Illinois used car sellers who have sold at least five used vehicles the previous year in the State of Illinois.

The ‘Buyer’s Guide’ for an Illinois used car buyer

According to the used car rules set by the FTC each Illinois used car must carry its window a ‘Buyer’s Guide.

The ‘Buyer’s Guide should provide the following cautions to the Illinois used car buyer to:

• Ask the dealer if an independent inspection of the Illinois used car is permitted before the buy
• Check if the Illinois used car is covered by a warranty
• Check any warranty coverage and of the terms and conditions of any warranty
• Ask the Illinois used car dealer to put all his verbal promises in writing
• Ask what an ‘as is’ sign actually means
• Check if the Illinois used car is covered by implied or express warranties if the car carries a sticker with ‘as is/no warranty’ sign
• Check the term of coverage and the percentage share of the Illinois used car dealer for cost of the repairs
• Check with the Illinois used car dealer for the availability and terms of service contracts if any
• Check for a list of defects that may occur in the Illinois used car in the mechanical and safety systems of the Illinois used car

Other guidelines by the Buyer’s Guide for the Illinois used car sale

The Buyer’s Guide must conform to changed clauses of the Illinois used car deal for the warranty coverage

• An Illinois used car purchase must be accompanied by a Buyer’s Guide
• As a reference for the contract, the Buyer’s Guide overrides any contradicting provisions in the contract
• The color, size and wording in the Buyer’s Guide must corroborate to those specified in the Rule
• The Buyer’s Guide and the contract language must be available in both Spanish and English
• No shorthand phrases are used in an express warranty for the Illinois used car

The FTC Used Car Rule for the Illinois used car dealer

The FTC Used Car Rule bars an Illinois used car dealer from:

• Misrepresenting the mechanical state and the terms of any warranty offered with the Illinois used car on sale
• Misleading an Illinois used car buyer that the car on sale comes with a warranty
• Avoiding to disclose the terms of any written warranty offered in an Illinois used car sale

Violation of the FTC Used Car Rule is a violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

Since the FTC Used Car Rule was in part promulgated under the federal Magnuson-Moss Act, violating the Used Car Rule (15 U.S.C. §2309b) is as equivalent to the violation of the Magnuson-Moss Act. Violating the FTC Act is actionable under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, 815 ILCS 505/1 et. seq.

The provisions as given in the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act for enforcement of rights and remedies are read by the Illinois lemon law attorneys in conjunction with those rights, remedies and defenses given in the Uniform Commercial Code. An Illinois lemon law attorney also takes into consideration, lemon laws and other state laws used to create special rights and remedies for the Illinois new and lemon used car consumers. The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act even applies if the defect Illinois lemon used car is eventually repaired but took a very long time to do so.

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Illinois lemon law Attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) announced that it would conduct a voluntary safety recall of more than 110,000 hybrid vehicles in the United States, Japan and Europe over faulty transistors in electrical power control boards. The US market is the most affected, with the Japanese auto giant recalling 45,500 units of its Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles which is because their hybrid system’s Intelligent Power Module may not have been put together properly. This most recent recall affects certain vehicles from MY 2006 and 2007. Roughly 3,000 of the same vehicles are also being recalled in Canada, according to a Toyota spokesperson. Toyota is also recalling 11,164 vehicles of the same model in Japan for the same defect. According to a Toyota spokesperson, the recall will cover roughly 15,000 vehicles in Europe.

This voluntary safety recall is over the issues related to:

• The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the Hybrid System Inverter which contains a control board with transistors
• Certain transistors on the control boards in some of the subject vehicles which were inadequately soldered
• Certain transistors which could be damaged from heat caused by large current spikes during high-load driving

If this were to occur:

• Various warning lamps illuminate on the instrument panel
• In most cases the vehicle will enter a fail-safe driving mode, resulting in reduced power
• As a result of reduced power, the vehicle can be driven for short distances only
• In limited instances, the power supply circuit fuse could blow if the transistor is damaged
• In the worst case, the hybrid system will stop and the vehicle will coast to a stop if the fuse blows

Toyota is currently working on procuring the necessary parts for replacement. Toyota doesn’t have the parts it needs to fix its latest problem, but once it does, it will notify individual owners of the recall, most likely in mid-July for free inspections and repairs. In the Interim, owners of the involved vehicles will be notified of the recall by first class mail in mid-July, 2011. Once the sufficient replacement parts are procured, Toyota will send a second owner notification by first class mail. It will advise owners of the affected vehicles as to which authorized Toyota dealer has to be contacted to have the IPM inspected and get it replaced if necessary, at no cost to the owner.

Earlier this month, more hybrid car buyers were hit with bad news. More than 100,000 Priuses are being recalled worldwide over a steering problem. Meanwhile owners of the hybrid cars should check Toyota’s database with their vehicle identification number (VIN) for information if their cars are among those being recalled.

Toyota recalled about 14 million vehicles since 2009

According to the New York Times:

• By 2011 February, Toyota had recalled a total of about 14 million vehicles since 2009, largely over the issues of accelerator pedal
• In April, Toyota recalled 214,000 RAV4s and 94,000 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles for airbag sensor problems
• Toyota recalled 51,000 of its Tundra trucks to inspect their rear drive shafts
• Some Toyota hybrids could stop in their tracks because of an electrical problem leading to a blown fuse

The latest global recall is yet another blow for the company struggling to restore its reputation. It has recalled millions of vehicles since 2009 over safety defects and paid the US authorities nearly 50 million USDs in penalties. Earlier this month Toyota recalled around 139,000 vehicles globally, including 106,000 first-generation Prius hybrid vehicles, over a problem with their steering system.

Information given above is not intended as legal advice. You may continue your lemon law claim or any other contention with your automobiles by contacting Illinois lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

A car is one of the most common consumer buys. Purchasing a car is one of the most expensive propositions most of us make after a house. Even if we buy a car almost every five or ten years, we cannot boast that we know everything about the car we purchase. As the years are passing, an average car is becoming increasingly complex due to the technology growth that is occurring in the auto industry by leaps and bounds and we are at a loss with so many systems and processes to comprehend. And the models of the cars available in the market today are mind boggling, to start with. This puts us all in a state that we come to heavily rely on the advice and mercy of a car salesperson. That is why we need the intervention of lemon laws, in case we are taken out on a long ride over a lemon car.

If you are living in the state of Illinois and has bought yourself a car in the state of Illinois, there are two principal laws the protect you with your investment in the car.

The Illinois lemon law

• The Illinois New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act, commonly known as the Illinois lemon law protects consumers who buy or lease new cars, pickup trucks, and vans in Illinois
• The Illinois lemon law deals with the warranties manufacturers and dealers provide
• The Illinois lemon law offers consumers a remedy if a dealer or manufacturer fails to honor its written warranties

The Illinois lemon law – Cars eligible for protection

The Illinois lemon law covers:

• New cars, pickup trucks, vans under 8,000 pounds and recreational vehicles purchased in Illinois
• A new vehicle if it is leased for at least four months
• The vehicles which are used at least 40 percent of the time for personal, family, or household use

The Illinois lemon law – How long is your car protected?

If the warranty on your new or used car has already expired, the Illinois lemon law DOES NOT apply.

• The Illinois lemon law applies to any written express warranty on the vehicle for one year or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first
• The manufacturer or dealer must repair a vehicle in accordance with the warranty if the defect or problem is covered by the warranty
• The manufacturer or dealer must repair a vehicle in accordance with the warranty if the owner reports it within the warranty period or 12 months after delivery of the vehicle, whichever comes first
• As long as the problem is reported within the warranty period, the manufacturer or dealer must make repairs, even if the warranty subsequently runs out

The Illinois lemon law – Special provisions for cars with serious problems

The Illinois lemon law has special provisions for vehicles with serious problems i.e., the real lemons, as the following:

• If the dealer or manufacturer is unable to repair a vehicle’s problem after a reasonable number of attempts, the buyer or person leasing the vehicle has a right to go to the manufacturer’s arbitration program or to court and seek a replacement vehicle or a full refund of the purchase or lease price

What constitutes a reasonable number of attempts at repairs depends on the problem

A reasonable number of attempts at repairs is:

• Four or more unsuccessful attempts to correct the same problem
• More than one unsuccessful attempt to correct a problem that causes a complete failure of the steering or braking system and the defect is likely to cause serious injuries or death
• Any attempts at warranty repairs that cause the vehicle to be out of service for repairs for 30 or more business days

The Illinois lemon law – When is your car not eligible

• The Illinois lemon law does not apply to problems that do not substantially impair either the use or market value of the car
• The law does not cover problems resulting from abuse, neglect, or unauthorized alterations to the car

The Illinois Used Car Warranty Law

• The Illinois Used Car Warranty law covers the power train of used vehicles
• The Illinois Used Car Warranty law covers the power train including the engine block, engine head, internal engine parts, oil pan, gaskets, water pump, intake manifold, transmission and internal transmission parts, torque converter drive shaft, U-joints, rear axle and its internal parts and rear wheel bearings
• According to the Illinois Used Car Warranty law, a retail automobile dealer in Illinois is liable for a portion of the cost of repairs on power train components for 30 days from the date of delivery
• According to the Illinois Used Car Warranty law for cars up to two years, the dealer is liable for 50 percent of the cost of repairs
• Cars which are over two years, but not three years yet, carry a 25 percent liability to the dealer
• Cars between three and four years old require 10 percent coverage by the dealer
• The Illinois Used Car Warranty law does not cover cars older than four years

The Federal Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule – The Federal Used Car Rule

There is a Federal Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule that requires a dealer to properly represent the:

• Condition of a used vehicle
• Terms of the warranty offered, if any

The warranty applies only if the consumer buys from a used car dealer

• Any used car business person selling more than five used cars a year is considered a dealer and is required to get a license from the State of Illinois
• A person who sells more than five used cars a year without a license from the State of Illinois is still a dealer

The Illinois Used cars marked ‘as is’ and No Warranty

Any vehicle offered for sale by a dealer must be clearly marked “as is – no warranty”, if no warranty is offered. The dealer must also disclose the history of the vehicle if it affects the buyer’s decision to buy it.

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Illinois Lemon Law Attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

You buy a brand new dream car in Illinois. This new dream machine of yours would, instead of hitting the road, spend its time and your money in an auto repair shop. If this scenario appears to be your story, time you took advantage of the Illinois lemon law.

Here are a few questions most frequently asked by a car consumer in Illinois and the answers he must take cognizance about.

How would I know if my new vehicle is a lemon?

According to the Illinois lemon law a new vehicle is a lemon if:

• It has a nonconformity that substantially impairs its use, market value or safety
• The same nonconformity is not repairable by the dealer or manufacturer in at least four repair attempts
• The vehicle is out of service for a total of 30 or more business days

What are the vehicles that are covered under the Illinois lemon law?

The Illinois lemon law covers:

• New Cars purchased or leased
• Light trucks and vans under 8,000 pounds
• Recreational vehicles, excluding their trailers
• Vehicles in their first 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first
• Vehicles purchased in Illinois

What are the vehicles that are NOT covered under the Illinois lemon law?

The Illinois lemon law DOES NOT cover:

• Used cars
• Altered or modified vehicles
• Motorcycles and boats

How does the Illinois lemon law work?

To get the Illinois lemon law work:

• The consumer must contact the designated manufacturer representative for the lemon vehicle

How does a designated manufacturer representative for my vehicle help me under the Illinois lemon law?

Under the Illinois lemon law:

• This designated representative will ONLY forward the required information and forms to you
• The Illinois lemon law claims cannot be initiated directly through the dealer

Is there a time frame for filing my claim under the Illinois lemon law?

• The time period in which an Illinois lemon law complaint has to be filed is 12 months from the date of purchase of the lemon vehicle

Can I proceed under the Illinois lemon law through my car dealer?

• Illinois lemon law claims cannot be initiated directly through your car dealer
• Many a consumer has lost his Illinois lemon law protection because he waited longer than 12 months from the purchase date of your lemon vehicle

How do I go about filing my claim under the Illinois lemon law?

• Never ever believe that you can proceed under the Illinois lemon law through your dealer
• It is extremely important that you file your Illinois lemon law claim with your designated representative before your right to do so expires
• The time period in which an Illinois lemon law complaint has to be filed is 12 months from the date of purchase of the lemon vehicle

What compensations can I expect for my lemon vehicle under the Illinois lemon law?

Under the Illinois lemon law you can expect one of the following compensations:

• A replacement vehicle of similar value
• The manufacturer buys back your vehicle from you, less the value for miles driven

Do I have any other recourse if I fail to get protection under the Illinois lemon law?

If you fail to get protection under the Illinois lemon law there are:

• Other Federal and Illinois laws that deal with contracts and warranties for new products or cars
• Before deciding on a particular course of action, you are required to consult a lemon law attorney
• The Illinois lemon law attorneys can discuss various alternatives and determine the best course of action for getting your consumer protection against your lemon vehicle

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Illinois lemon law Attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

Buying the first car is a very exciting ritual for almost all of us as long as it does not include the cumbersome business of purchasing auto insurance or extra warranties. As new car owners we would find the cost of insurance annoyingly high.

However, purchasing an auto insurance with the lowest possible premium is not as difficult as it appears. Many car insurance companies actually compete to woo us with offers of discounts and you can take advantage of all these offers when you buy your car and pay the lowest possible premiums.

Before you have made a decision on a car, research thoroughly to compare the prices of different cars. Once you have identified the most likely buys based on the cost and features, short list them and call your current insurance along with other new insurance companies for their insurance quotes to compare the premiums offered by them for the cars you have short listed. Prices of car insurance vary according to the price of a car, its safety record, cost of repairs and its vulnerability to thieves.

Never ever pause an insurance coverage even if you migrate from one insurance company to another for the same vehicle: While you are switching policies, make sure that your vehicle is kept insured all along. If you tend to forget making payment on the premium, the insurance coverage lapses and rates increase.

Keep a close watch on your credit record: Insurance companies correlate bad credit and the likelihood of making a claim and they will have no qualms checking your credit score to determine insurance rates for you.

Use your car only if you are in absolute need to use it: Many Insurance companies offer a low-mileage discount for drivers who have a short commute over a few miles each year, so try not to go on long drives.

Always seek a high deductible on your car insurance: Increasing your deductible is one of the easiest ways to reduce your car insurance premiums. Make sure that you will have enough money to pay the deductible, even if you hope not to get into an accident.

Take advantage of the discounts available with the insurance process: You will be entitled to a discount on your premiums if your car has modern technological features like extra anti-theft and safety features like anti-lock brakes. You will be entitled to a discount on your premiums if you have taken a defensive driving class and good grades as a current student.

If you are a safe driver you will be automatically entitled to a low price on your car insurance: Always drive carefully to avoid accidents and tickets. Bad driving raises your insurance rates or even lead to a non-renewal of your car insurance policy. While too many speeding tickets can cause a problem, involving in an accident typically raises your insurance by 40%.

Car insurance rates vary with locations, so you may consider transferring your residence. This idea may not sound very practical but auto insurance rates differ from one location to another because of the rate of incidence of car accidents or thefts. Generally, car insurance rates tend to be low in rural areas.

Loyalty to the same insurance company for multiple insurances can get you a good discount price on your car insurance. Majority of the insurance companies offer a discount for combining car, homeowners and renters insurance as single insurance providers.

Consider the age of your car to avoid unnecessary insurance for its coverage: If your car is already old, buying a collision insurance or comprehensive insurance for it is not a wise decision. As a rule of thumb, if your old car is worth less than 10 times the premium, you should drop this type of coverage and save money.

Have an independent agent as your personal insurance expert: An independent agent generally has very good relationships with many an insurance company. He would be highly obliged to shop for you for an insurance policy. The same guy would also be handy as your personal insurance expert you can always fall back on. He can be of immense help in customizing your car insurance needs so that your car is adequately covered.

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Illinois lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

Last Wednesday Ford Motor Co. issued two new recalls for more than 30,000 vehicles over potential electrical issues and fuel leaks. One recall was to reinspect certain vehicles recalled in late December over faulty software. Ford assures its consumers that there has not been a report of any fires or injuries caused the by the issues.

According to the NHTSA:

• The Ford Motor Co. is voluntarily recalling about 35,000 vehicles in the US and Canada over possible electrical shorts and fuel leaks that could cause fires
• The Ford Motor Co. is voluntarily recalling about 25,000 of its 2010 Ranger pickup trucks for possible fuel line leaks in the engine compartment
• The Ford Motor Co. is voluntarily recalling about 9,100 Edge cross over SUVs, Lincoln MKX and Super Duty pickup trucks are also being recalled due to body control modules that were not properly inspected during an earlier recall
• The Ford Motor Co. is voluntarily recalling about 23,688 2010 Ford Ranger trucks with 2.3L engines to inspect a fuel line for chafing
• The vehicles with the defective engine fuel line may contact another part and may chafe, resulting in a fuel odor, a potential fuel leak and fire hazard

According to Ford Motor Co, there have been no reports of any fires or injuries related to the issues of faulty software. Owners of the affected cars will be notified in mid-March and advise them to take their vehicles to dealers for repairs.

Ford Motor Co is also conducting a second recall of certain 2011 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles. These vehicles were inspected under a recall announced in late December by Ford Motor Co. Ford Motor Co. in December recalled 14,737 vehicles to inspect the body control module of the said vehicles. The vehicles could have developed an electrical short which in turn may result in a fire. According to Ford Motor Co, the vehicles that are being recalled for a second time used Ford’s Integrated Diagnostic System. This Integrated Diagnostic System had a custom software routine to read the suspect Body Control Module serial number (BCM).

What makes this Integrated Diagnostic System software faulty?

According to Ford Motor Co:

• Based on the serial number, the BCM was neither affected nor replaced
• The custom software routine was not reading the correct set of characters
• It was also not able to identify a BCM that required replacement

In late January, while monitoring the repair rate for Ford’s recall, the company’s customer service division identified a lower than expected replacement rate for the BCM. According to a Ford spokesman, there have been no reports of fires related to both the recalls. The recall also includes 2,000 Ranger trucks in Canada, and 1,100 2011 models in Canada.

This is the third recall the auto maker has issued in the last one month. Ford recalled 280,000 F-150 pickup trucks to repair faulty door handles in early February followed by a second F-150 pickup recall for potential airbag problems. 144,000 of the pickups are affected by the airbag safety recall. According to the Ford Motor Co. the figure of 144,000 F-150 pickups in the US and Canada accounted only to a small fraction of the 1.3 million trucks the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wanted to be recalled.

The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reviewing Ford’s plan and will decide whether the 144,000 F-150 pickups recall is adequate or it can actually get Ford to recall all the vehicles it wanted recalled. Ford has agreed to recall 135,000 vehicles so far, but NHTSA wants Ford to recall all 1.3 million F-150 pickup trucks. There were more than 260 airbags reported to have deployed without warning, in F-150 pickup trucks.

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Illinois lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

If you think that the most stolen cars are the top luxury and fancy cars, you are grossly mistaken. Actually the most stolen cars are old cars. In the year 2010, around 100,000 cars stolen in the US have not been recovered. One reason for the low rate of the recovery of stolen cars is that thieves are professional and getting increasingly savvy. The stolen cars are stripped for parts and sold on the black market which makes the recovery of stolen cars harder.

Why are old cars targeted by thieves?

• Old cars are easy to to break into. Unlike the newer models they have less technology to alarm the owners
• Older cars are less likely to be garaged with the newer arrivals displacing them
• Older cars are are always valued for their parts
• Older cars from poorer neighborhoods are more vulnerable to car thieves from the same neighborhoods

If the older car is a pickup truck, the thief can steal bigger items from other cars. It is alleged that 62% of the stolen cars were uninsured. According to a most recent National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report, the 1991 Honda Accord is the second-most-stolen vehicle, followed by the 1989 Toyota Camry. In the fourth position, is the 1997 Ford F-150 as the highest-listed pickup truck and the most stolen domestic-branded vehicle. The other domestic brands on the list were also trucks, the 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 and the 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup. Other perennial favorites among the car thieves are the Acura Integra and Nissan Sentra. According to the NICB, car thieves continue to target these older vehicles because they provide the best market for stolen vehicle parts.

Simply because the most stolen cars are old models and less expensive as the ’94 Accord DX in good shape is that is worth about $1,700, it doesn’t make your newer car any more immune from theft than the older ones.

To avoid having your car stolen you can use a word of caution as mentioned below:

• Always lock your car as a simple deterrent to car thieves
• Do not leave it running unattended, to avoid inviting car thieves to drive off with your car
• Do not entice a thief by leaving important documents or paperwork that can lead to your identity theft
• Never leave a spare key in your car
• Park in well-lit, ideally guarded public place when running errands and when at home
• A car will be safer in a garage than it is in a driveway or at a curb
• Consider installing a car alarm
• A visual warning device, such as a blinking light, is a better deterrent
• Thieves can not steal a car they cannot start. Smart keys or a fuel cut-offs system/engine immobilizer can add security
• For advanced protection, install a GPS or radio frequency tracking system in your vehicle to help police find it
• Keep windows closed when you are away. A narrow opening can be an invitation for the car thieves to unlock the door with a wire hanger
• Don’t exhibit valuables or expensive electronic devices in plain sight as an invitation to car thieves

The above instructions are not meant as legal advice. You may persist your lemon law claim or any other issue with your automobiles by contacting Illinois lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.

How do you plan to increase the resale value of your car?

The secret is to keep your old car as good as new. A car is our most expensive investment. A new car tends to depreciate as soon as it leaves the showroom and continues to do so even after it is older than two years.

However, it should not inhibit us from being proud of it. We tend to take pride in showing it off to our friends, colleagues, and of course while on road. This is possible as long as a car is kept in top condition. When we keep our car shining like new car it adds value to itself without our knowing it. You would not be surprised if somebody makes a passing remark about its supposed value close to the show room price.

By taking good care of your car you not only are increasing its resale value, saving on bigger repairs but you are also extending its performance. If you are strongly inclined to owning a newer edition or other brand you might consider selling it as a used car. Your old car fetches you a very good price if you keep it in top condition.

Here are some useful tips that will help you keep your car looking new:

• Steer clear of impending dents, scratches and damages on the road.
• Keep a proper breaking distance
• Keep to the right
• Drive slowly on roads with loose stones or lots of sand
• Give larger trucks and vehicles a wide berth

Choose your parking spots carefully:

• Avoid parallel parking whenever possible
• Only use lots with angled spots or wide straight-in spots
• Steer clear of ‘compact only’ spots as it is very difficult to maneuver your car in
• Learn lessons from newer cars that show dents and scratches
• Watch out for the beaters
• Avoid parallel parking on acute slopes
• Choose to park at the highest point if the parking lot is sloped
• To prevent spoiling the finish of car paint, scalloping, peeling and fading avoid parking it in direct sun
• Do not rest items on the hood, roof, or trunk while loading your vehicle to prevent scratches on the finish

Wash your car frequently:

• Remove grime and corrosion-causing acid-rain deposited frequently by hand wash
• Fresh tar and pine sap bake into the finish so remove them as soon as possible

When washing:

• Use proper soap for car washing
• Rinse from the top down

The directives given above are not intended as legal advice. You may pursue your lemon law claim or any other dispute with your automobiles by being in communication with Illinois lemon law attorneys of Krohn & Moss Ltd., or Call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation.