Security Fix Doing Little to Slow Down Hyundai, Kia Theft Rates

PublishedMay 9, 2023

The software Hyundaiand Kiareleased nearly three months ago to prevent vehicles built without engine immobilizers being stolen has so far not made a dent in theft rates, the Associated Press reported May 9.

The AP analyzed data from seven U.S. cities, which it said shows the number of thefts is, in fact, still growing. Only Denver reported a decline in the theft rate of Kias and Hyundais compared to 2022---23%---but its rate is still high.

Part of the issue is the slow rollout; only about 5% of eligible Kias and 6% of Hyundais have received the update, the AP said.

The trend began in

NC Auto Repair Shop Owner Sentenced for Coding 15K Vehicles to Avoid Emissions Inspections

PublishedMay 2, 2023

Jamal Saymeh, 59, of Charlotte, NC, was sentenced May 1 to a year and a day in prison followed by two years of supervised release for fraudulently coding more than 15,000 vehicles that would have otherwise failed the required state emissions inspection, a violation of the Clean Air Act.

Saymeh was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney, who also ordered Saymeh to pay a $1.2 million fine and $82,026 in restitution to the State of North Carolina, announced Dena J. King, U.S. attorney for the Western District of North

Louisiana Woman Sentenced for Staged Auto Collision Scheme

PublishedApril 26, 2023

Lois Russell, 63, of Gibson, LA, was sentenced April 20 after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced.

According to court documents, on March 27, 2017, Russell conspired with Tanya Givens, John

Ford Wins Appeal Against $1.2B Lawsuit Over Truck Fuel Economy Claims

Written by Sebastien Bell, CarScoops
Published April 24, 2023

Fordhas defeated an appeal in a case that accused it of deceiving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to inflate the MPG numbers of its pickup trucks. The court ruled the agency’s authority is greater than individual states’ in determining fuel economy.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati ruled against a class of plaintiffs, who claimed the automaker had misled the EPA by intentionally miscalculating factors used in certifying MPG numbers. The case relates to 2018-2020 F-150s and 2019–2020 Rangers, as reported

Tesla Wins Autopilot Trial Related to CA Car Crash

Written by Steven Loveday, InsideEVs
Published April 24, 2023

A jury in California determined Teslawasn't at fault for a crash that involved Autopilot. The jury concluded the safety system didn't fail, and the car's airbags also worked properly. Essentially, the message here was drivers can't blame the car if there's an issue they should have handled.

Tesla has offered Autopilot as a free feature for many years, though it has evolved via different hardware and over-the-air software updates. While its name suggests it may drive the car for you, it's really a suite of advanced driver-assist systems like you'll find in many of today's cars.

Tesla

Parents Sue Kia After Teens Killed in Stolen Crashed SUV

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published April 24, 2023

A New York KiaSportage crash that killed four teens and injured two others was allegedly caused by Kia even though the 2021 Kia Sportage was stolen and traveling 100 mph when it crashed into a wall.

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by two mothers of two of the deceased teens who claim the crash would not have occurred if Kia would have installed engine immobilizers in the Sportage.

According to the lawsuit: "An engine immobilizer is a critical piece of electronic security technology that serves as a crucial tool in minimizing the risk of vehicle theft. Immobilizers

Avis Sued for Reporting LA Woman’s Rental Car as Stolen

Written by Steven Symes, Motorious
PublishedApril 20, 2023

Ramona Gutierrez, a single mother and full-time Uberdriver in Los Angeles, said Aviserroneously reported the car she'd rented as stolen, leading to her getting pulled over and detained by the Los Angles County Sheriff’s Department, so she’s suing the rental car company.

According to Gutierrez, on March 22, she was driving on the freeway in a vehicle she rented from Avis because her personal vehicle was in the shop, when she was pulled over by six sheriff’s department vehicles. She claimed deputies held her at gunpoint, slamming her to the ground and roughly

Man Sentenced for Drug-Trafficking was Laundering Money Through CT Auto Repair Shop

PublishedApril 19, 2023

William "Willy" Valerio-Palermo, 37, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in East Hartford, CT, was sentenced April 13 by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment for trafficking acetylfentanyl, a fentanyl analogue.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut, made the announcement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, law enforcement received information that Valerio was trafficking kilogram-quantities of fentanyl and was using his Hartford auto

Ford Super Duty Roof-Crush Lawsuits Consolidated

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published April 14, 2023

Fordtruck roof class action lawsuits are being consolidated in a Michigan federal court under the case name, In re Ford Super Duty Roof-Crush Litigation.

Class action attorneys began filing Ford truck roof lawsuits following a $1.7 billion jury verdict against Ford in the wrongful deaths of Melvin Hill, 74, and his wife, Voncile Hill, 62.

The deaths occurred in a 2014 Georgia rollover crash of a 2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty truck.

The crash was allegedly caused by a blown tire installed by a Pep Boys service center,

Ex-Tesla Worker Awarded $3.2M in Race Bias Case After Refusing $15M

Written by Dan Mihalascu, InsideEVs
Published April 5, 2023

A Black former Teslacontract worker who refused a payout of $15 million last year in damages for severe racial harassment has been awarded $3.2 million by a federal jury in San Francisco.

Owen Diaz, who worked as a elevator operator at Tesla's factory in Fremont, CA, sued the automaker in 2017 for violating a California law that prohibits employers from failing to address hostile work environments based on race or other protected traits. The first jury awarded Diaz $137 million in damages.

In June 2022, U.S. District Judge William

Tesla False Forward Collision Warnings Cause Lawsuit

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published March 20, 2023

A Teslafalse forward collision warning lawsuit alleges vehicles activate warnings when there are no forward objects or impending crashes.

The plaintiff contends his Model 3 forward collision warning system has activated false warnings while driving through parking lots and when turning at intersections. The "loud and obtrusive" false warnings create unnecessary panic while driving which creates unnecessary safety risk.

According to court documents: "Plaintiff Joshua Santiago brings this Class Action Complaint on behalf of himself and other consumers who

Some Ford Dealers Leaving EV Sales Program

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published March 20, 2023

Forddealers are beginning to push back and drop out of the Model e EV sales program, launched by the Detroit-based automaker last year in hopes of encouraging dealerships to carry, sell and deliver EVs. It has not gone according to plan for some.

Ford saw success when it first launched the program, reporting about two-thirds of U.S. dealerships decided to opt in.

The program features two tiers. The first is called Certified, and gives Ford locations the ability to service the company’s electric cars and does not require as much of an initial cost---$500,000. However, there was a limit on the

Tesla Accused of Monopolizing Repairs, Parts in Consumer Lawsuit

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati
Published March 15, 2023

Teslais facing a lawsuit from customers who allege the company’s monopoly in maintenance, repair services and replacement parts has led to high prices and long waiting times. 

On March 14, a class action antitrust lawsuit was filed in San Francisco federal court on behalf of Virginia M. Lambrix, the owner of a Tesla Model S. In the lawsuit, Lambrix said owners of conventional cars have several options for maintenance and repairs. They can even perform repairs and maintenance themselves. The complaint said traditional car repairs can also use OEM parts or

California Man Fraudulently Buys Supercars, Goes to Prison

Written by Steven Symes, Motorious
Published March 1, 2023

A man in California has been sentenced to 4.5 years in federal prison for fraudulently using COVID relief funds to buy exotic supercars and luxury rides.

Mustafa Qadiri, 42, was sent to prison, fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $2,861,050 in restitution, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Qadiri was given $5 million for a business that was a “sham.” Instead of using the relief funds for their intended purpose, he provided a lavish lifestyle for himself, buying a LamborghiniAventador, Ferrari488 GTB and Bentley

Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Mercedes-Benz Sunroofs Explode

By David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
PublishedFeb. 28, 2023

A Mercedes-Benzexploding sunroof lawsuit alleges panoramic sunroofs suddenly shatter under normal driving conditions and without objects striking the glass.

The Mercedes-Benz sunroof class action lawsuit alleges drivers are startled when the sunroofs explode and rain shards of glass onto occupants.

The allegedly defective sunroofs are installed in these vehicles:

• 2011-present Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• 2014-present Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
• 2011-present Mercedes-Benz

Louisiana Men Sentenced for Staging Accidents to Defraud Insurance, Trucking Companies

PublishedFeb. 20, 2023

John Diggs, 62, of Thibodaux, LA, and James Williams, 68, of Gibson, LA, were both sentenced Feb. 14 to 10 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Lance M. Africk after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, arising out of staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans.

The announcement was made Feb. 16 by U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court records, Diggs and Williams conspired with passengers Lois Russell and Tanya Givens to stage an

Missouri Residents Plead Guilty to $1.2 Million Insurance Fraud Conspiracy

PublishedFeb. 20, 2023

Two Columbia, MO, residents pleaded guilty in federal court Feb. 14 to their roles in a $1.2 million insurance fraud conspiracy that involved false claims of injuries suffered in car accidents.

Latoya Marie Brown, 37, who also lived in the Kansas City, MO, area, and Cedrick Shawndale Goldman, 46, each pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epp Jr. to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

By pleading guilty, Brown and Goldman admitted they were part of a conspiracy that

‘Unexpected’ Donation Helps OK Family Tied Up in Legal Battle After Losing $1000s to Unfinished Repairs

Written by Kaylee Olivas, KFOR
Published Feb. 3, 2023

A Yukon, OK, family told KFORin December they were out thousands of dollars in parts and labor after the auto repair shop they were working with closed before finishing repairs, but after Jan. 31, they have a new sense of relief.

After News 4 aired the Tomko family's story Dec. 26, Dent Source co-owner Bobbi

Mechanic in Fight for Auto Body Shop’s Legal Name

Written by Kevin Ozebek and Darcelle Hall, 7 News Miami
Published Feb. 1, 2023

A South Florida man spent years building his auto body business, but he said it was all taken from him after he got sick.

Repairing cars has always been in Julio Concepcion’s blood.

“My whole life, since I was a toddler, I was just always handling my grandfather’s tools, and I mean, I was raised around it,” Concepcion said.

So opening up his own body shop in Opa-Locka, FL, in 2013 was the fulfillment of a dream.

...

PA Woman Rejects Auto Companies' Attempts to Dismiss Claims

By Nicholas Malfitano, Pennsylvania Record
Published Feb. 1, 2023

Counsel for a Western Pennsylvania woman who suffered third-degree burns over 70% of her body in a motor vehicle crash more than two years ago has refuted denials of liability from two of the defendants named in the subsequent litigation.

Payton Renee Balogh of Homer City, PA, first filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 20 versus Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda Motor of America, Inc. in Irvine, CA, Starter Cars in Altoona, PA, and Sutliff Auto Group of Harrisburg, PA.

The suit said

Seattle City Attorney Sues Kia, Hyundai for Lack of Anti-Theft Technology

Written by Bill Kaczaraba, My Northwest
Published Jan. 30, 2023

Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison has filed a lawsuit against Kiaand Hyundaifor the lack of anti-theft technology in some cars.

“Kia and Hyundai chose to cut corners and cut costs at the expense of their customers and the public. As a result, our police force has had to tackle a huge rise in vehicle theft and related problems with already stretched resources,” said Davison.

Carvana, Illinois Reach Settlement Agreement

PublishedJan. 25, 2023

A settlement agreement was reached Jan. 24 between Illinois and online used-car retailer Carvana, which admitted to violating state law and agreed to abide by new restrictions aimed at protecting consumers.

Illinois was the first state in the nation to suspend Carvana's license in May 2022.

The settlement was announced by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

"The admission by Carvana demonstrates what we knew all along: that Carvana was violating the law in a manner that was harmful to Illinois consumers," Giannoulias said. "Under my administration, I will do everything to ensure that proper

Colorado Car Thieves Slapped with 90-Count Indictment

Written by Steven Symes, Motorious
Published Jan. 24, 2023

Five people accused of stealing just under $1 million worth of cars and other property in Colorado have been slapped with a 90-count indictment after a grand jury convened in December. 

That’s a big step in helping to deter future car thefts in a state which has seen a decade of increases in the crime, including a 31% increase from 2020 to 2021.

According to law enforcement, Nathaniel Tsosie, Craig Keltner, Justin Jameson, Andrea Wettig and Dustin James operated a car theft and burglary crime

GM Takes Racketeering Case Against Stellantis to Supreme Court

Written by Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press
Published Jan. 20, 2023

General Motorswasn’t content with an appeals court decision dismissing its racketeering case against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, now known as Stellantis, so it’s asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in.

GM’s case, which dates to a filing in federal court in Detroit in November 2019, is tied to the long-running corruption scandal that sent former top UAWleaders and former auto executives to prison and led to a conviction for FCA US, Stellantis’ U.S. operating arm, and an independent monitor for the union. The UAW was not named as a defendant in

Court Rules Rivian, Lucid May Sell Vehicles Direct to Consumers in Illinois

Written by Seyfarth Shaw, JD Supra
Published Jan. 20, 2023

On Dec. 19, an Illinois state trial court issued an order dismissing, with prejudice, a complaint filed by the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association (IADA) and numerous individual franchised dealers against Rivian, Lucidand the Illinois Secretary of State.

Rivian and Lucid are EV manufacturers that sell their vehicles direct to consumers rather than through franchised dealers. In 2021, the Secretary of State granted Rivian and Lucid motor vehicle dealer licenses allowing them to sell their vehicles directly in Illinois.

In their complaint,

Honda Idle-Stop Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Engines Stall

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Jan. 17, 2023

A Hondaidle-stop class action lawsuit alleges the feature is dangerous because the vehicle fails to start once the engine shuts down.

While the plaintiff asserts the idle-stop systems make the vehicles defective, Honda markets the technology as a way to save money on fuel.

"The Honda idle-stop feature maximizes your fuel efficiency when your vehicle is idling," Honda marketing says. "If you're stationary for more than two seconds, such as in stop-and-go traffic, the engine will shut off; many of the vehicle's functions, such as the A/C, will continue to power on

Tesla Phantom Braking Class Action Lawsuit Includes Model 3, Model Y

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Jan. 17, 2023

A Teslaphantom braking class action lawsuit alleges 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y vehicles suddenly brake even though there are no objects in the road.

The Tesla vehicles are equipped with Autopilot, a feature allegedly rushed to market before the technology was safe.

The Tesla phantom braking lawsuit also alleges the automatic emergency braking (AEB) is defective and was sold to consumers as a safety feature.

Yet the ...

Ford Shifter Cable Bushing Recalls Failed, Alleges Lawsuit

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Jan. 13, 2023

Several Fordshifter cable bushing recalls have led to a class action lawsuit that alleges nearly 3 million vehicles are at risk of rolling away.

The Ford shifter cable bushing lawsuit was filed by New York plaintiff Sergio Diaz and Illinois plaintiff Retha Connors.

The plaintiffs do not claim their vehicles had any problems with the shifter cable bushings.

But both owners assert recall repairs offered by Ford will not fix their vehicles.

According to the class action, Ford issued multiple shifter cable bushing

Carvana, Michigan Reach Deal that Leaves Used Car Megastore Without License in State

Written by Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press
Published Jan. 11, 2023

Used-car megastore Carvanasaid Jan. 11 it is back to "business as usual" in Michigan, but state officials say not quite because the company's Novi location is no longer a licensed dealership. But Michigan car buyers can make a purchase with Carvana online and get a car.

Carvana and the state reached a settlement as part of an ongoing dispute over the state's assertion that Carvana committed violations of the Michigan Vehicle Code, which Carvana admitted to doing.

In early October, state officials suspended the license of the

Subaru Files Motion to Dismiss Fuel Pump Lawsuit

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Jan. 10, 2023

A Subarufuel pump lawsuit should allegedly be completely dismissed because the allegations are allegedly inadequate and nothing more than conclusory.

The Subaru class action lawsuit alleges the automaker waited too long to issue fuel pump recalls, didn't include all the affected vehicles, and Subaru dealers allegedly didn't know how to make the repairs.

Subaru issued an April 2020 fuel pump recall for more than 188,000 model year 2019 Subaru Impreza, Outback, Legacy and Ascent vehicles.

Then in August 2021, a Subaru fuel pump recall included about 165,000 of these