Driver of Tesla That Went Off a CA Cliff Arrested, Charged with Attempted Murder

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati
Published Jan. 4, 2023

On Jan. 3, the internet was shocked by the news that all four people in a Teslahad survived a 250-foot

Oklahoma Family Out $1000s After Auto Repair Shop Shuts Down Without Finishing Repairs

Written by Kaylee Olivas, KFOR
Published Dec. 28, 2022

A Yukon, OK, family is out thousands of dollars in parts and labor after the auto repair shop they were working with closed before finishing repairs.

Bob Tomko said he was in a car accident back in December 2021.

“Took a little while for me to find somebody to work on the truck knowing full well that things can get a little expensive out there,” said Tomko.

His wife, Mary Tomko, said she knew of a mechanic who could get the job done without breaking the bank. The shop that came to her mind, Blockheads Auto Repair

3 Missouri Men Sentenced for Scheme to Transport Stolen Catalytic Converters

PublishedDec. 28, 2022

Three Rogersville and Springfield, MO, men have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a scheme to transport tens of thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines as part of a multi-million-dollar business.

“These three defendants were the ringleaders of a scheme that impacted thousands of area residents,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “We worked closely with a number of our law enforcement partners to shut down their multi-million-dollar operation and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Evan Marshall, 25, of Rogersville; Cody Ryder,

NH Kia Dealership to Pay $1.25M to Settle Deceptive Acts Allegations

PublishedDec. 20, 2022

A $1.25 million settlement agreement was reached with DMO Auto Acquisitions, LLC, dba Dan O'Brien Kia, to resolve allegations of unfair and deceptive acts or practices committed at the Dan O'Brien Kia dealership in Concord, NH, New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella announced Dec. 19.

The settlement, approved that day by the Merrimack Superior Court, requires DMO to comply with a series of strict injunctive terms over the next five years to ensure consumers are protected from similar practices in the future.

An investigation by the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau

Iowa Mechanic Ordered to Pay $7.2M to Ex-Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle Over Classic Cars

Written by Johnny Magdaleno, Indianapolis Star
Published Dec. 20, 2022

A boutique mechanic in Iowa accused of faking the authenticity of a vintage sports car he sold and overcharging for service work on multiple rare vehicles has been ordered to pay $7.2 million to former Angie’s ListCEO Bill Oesterle.

Oesterle, an entrepreneur and self-described avid classic car collector, took The Healey Werks Corp. and its owner, Craig Hillinger, to court in Iowa in 2020.

His lawsuit claims Hillinger pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars through deceptive act after

Ford Super Duty Lawsuit Alleges Roofs Crush in Rollover Crashes

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Dec. 20, 2022

A FordSuper Duty truck roof lawsuit alleges occupants are injured and killed in rollover crashes because the truck roofs are weak and dangerous.

The class action lawsuit includes 1999-2016 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty trucks that allegedly have roofs that cannot handle the weight of the trucks in rollover incidents.

Even if the crash impact leaves truck occupants unscathed, the roofs allegedly collapse onto the occupants as the trucks roll over.

Ford truck roof-crush class action lawsuits began being filed following a Georgia court case

30 Individuals, 21 Businesses Charged in Pennsylvania Title Washing Scheme

PublishedDec. 13, 2022

Criminal charges were announced Dec. 9 in Pennsylvania against 30 individuals and 21 businesses for “title washing” and for re-titling stolen vehicles in Lebanon, Lehigh and Philadelphia counties.

The title washing fraud was designed to bypass rigid requirements for reconstructed titles in states such as New Jersey and New York. The re-titling of these stolen vehicles was intended to make those vehicles look legitimate for resale or export.

The participants in these criminal networks are alleged to have purchased totaled vehicles they then falsified inspection information for and submitted fraudulent title

CarMax Reaches Settlement Over Failure to Disclose Vehicle Recalls

Published Dec. 8, 2022

A multistate coalition of 35 attorneys general on Dec. 1 secured $1 million from CarMax for failing to disclose open safety recalls on their used vehicles to consumers before sales.

CarMax did not provide consumers with information about safety recalls on critical vehicle parts, such as brakes and fuel pumps, before selling vehicles.

The agreement will set a new industry standard for used car dealers to disclose open safety recalls to customers before they make a purchase.

A multistate investigation found CarMax, a nationwide used car dealer, misled consumers by failing to disclose needed repairs on

Hertz to Pay $168M to Settle False Rental Car Theft Claims

Published Dec. 5, 2022

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. on Dec. 5 announced the settlement of 364 pending claims brought against the company by customers falsely accused of stealing their rented cars.

The company will pay approximately $168 million by year-end to resolve these disputes, bringing resolution to more than 95% of its pending theft reporting claims.

The company believes it will recover a meaningful portion of the settlement amount from its insurance carriers.

"As I have said since joining Hertz earlier this year, my intention is to lead a company that puts the customer first. In resolving these claims, we are holding ourselves

NY Auto Business Owner Convicted of Filing False Tax Returns, Hiding Cash Income

PublishedNov. 30, 2022

A federal jury in Central Islip, NY, on Nov. 9 returned a guilty verdict on all five counts of superseding indictment charging Lorraine Pilitz---also known as "Lorraine Christie" and "Lorraine Storms"---with illegally structuring financial transactions, corruptly obstructing the IRS and filing false tax returns.

The verdict followed a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert.

Pilitz owned and operated several automobile-related businesses on Long Island.

Financial institutions are required to file a currency transaction report (CTR) with the IRS for

Texas Custom Corvette Shop 1983 Triple Murder Goes to Trial

Written by Steven Symes, Motorious
Published Nov. 28, 2022

Shocking news came out of League City, TX, the morning of Nov. 3, 1983, when three employees were found dead inside Corvette Concepts.

The custom auto shop was usually a place where customers’ dreams were made reality, contrasting sharply with the grisly triple homicide, which eventually went cold.

However, authorities now believe they have their man and prosecutors will have their shot in court for the suspect to be found guilty.

The man police believe is responsible for the murders of Thomas Earl McGraw, 28, Beth Yvette Wilburn, 25,

New Hampshire Body Shop Owner ‘Winging’ Own Case Beats State Farm in High Court

Written by Jim Sams, Insurance Journal
Published Nov. 22, 2022

Collision repair shop owner Steve Piispanen didn’t hire an attorney because he considers them to be “not educated” when it comes to insurance law.

He represented himself when he appealed a local judge’s decision to dismiss a $1,093.37 claim against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. He wrote his own brief and personally appeared to make oral arguments before the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

Piispanen has no legal training. “Heck no,” he said. “I just winged it.”

...

Honda Destination Fee Lawsuit Filed in New Jersey

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Nov. 11, 2022

A Hondadestination fee class action lawsuit was filed for New Jersey residents who leased or purchased a Honda vehicle from a Honda dealership between October 2016 to the present.

The lawsuit says Honda violates the Automobile Information Disclosure Act, which requires manufacturers to disclose the true cost of transporting vehicles to dealerships.

The window sticker (Monroney label) typically calls the charge a destination fee, destination charge or destination and handling fee.

According to the four Honda customers who sued, the Honda window stickers violate the New

Lucid Group Sues Texas Over Direct Sales Ban

Written by Dan Mihalascu, InsideEVs
Published Nov. 9, 2022

Lucid Group has filed a federal lawsuit in Texas over the state's rules on auto dealerships, which the EV startup labels "economic protectionism."

In the suit filed in U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas (Austin division), Lucid said the state prevents it from selling its electric cars there and accused Texas of acting anti-competitively in forcing companies to sell their products through established dealerships.

Lucid named Monique Johnston, director of the Motor Vehicle Division at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, as the defendant.

As with many

Nationwide Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Busted

Published Nov. 3, 2022

Federal, state and local law enforcement partners from across the U.S. executed a nationwide, coordinated takedown Nov. 2 of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars.

Arrests, searches and seizures took place in California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina and Virginia. In total, 21 individuals in five states have been arrested and/or charged for their roles in the conspiracy.

The 21 defendants are charged in two separate indictments

Ford Hit with $105M Verdict Over Trade Secrets

Written by Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press
Published Oct. 28, 2022

A federal jury in Michigan found Ford Motor Co. guilty of violating a contract and misuse of trade secrets, awarding Texas-based Versata Software $104.65 million Oct. 26 after three weeks of trial testimony.

"While we respect the jury’s decision, we believe the facts and the law do not support this outcome. Ford will appeal the verdict," spokeswoman Catherine Hargett told the Detroit Free Press on Oct. 27.

At issue is a 2004 contract between the two companies involving software Versata developed to manage how vehicle

PA Junkyard and Auto Repair Shop Ordered to Pay $106,000 in Restitution to Customers

PublishedOct. 25, 2022

Junkyard and auto repair shop Progress Auto Salvage, Inc., and owner and operator Emeka K. Oguejiofor have been ordered to pay $106,044 in restitution to eight customers for violating Pennsylvania consumer protection laws.

The business and Oguejiofor are also permanently prohibited from holding a junkyard and automotive dismantler and recycle license.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the verdict Oct. 24.

Shapiro said Oguejiofor, along with his business, accepted deposits and advances payments from consumers and failed to do the

Washington, D.C., Auto Group Fined $3.3 Million by FTC for Violating Fair Lending Laws, Adding Fees

Written by Lesley Fair, FTC
Published Oct. 25, 2022

When it comes to the car buying process, there a world of difference between going for a test drive and getting taken for a ride.

A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint against Washington, D.C.-based Passport Automotive Group alleged the company deceived customers by packing junk fees onto the cost of its vehicles. According to the complaint, Passport also discriminated against Black and Latino consumers by charging them higher financing costs and fees, in violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the FTC Act.

To settle the case, the

Carvana Sues Michigan After Officials Suspended Its License to Sell Cars

Written by Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press
Published Oct. 19, 2022

Car dealership Carvanaaccused Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson of violating state laws after the state suspended the license of the Carvana dealership in Novi, MI, earlier in October, and it wants the courts to intervene.

On Oct. 13, Carvana filed injunction motions with the Michigan Court of Claims asking for an immediate stop to the secretary of state’s "illegal and irresponsible attempt to shut down a growing Michigan business with tens of thousands of customers over what amounts to technical paperwork violations involving title and

Tesla Requests Retrial for Race Bias Lawsuit that Resulted in $137M Jury Verdict

Written by Maria Merano, Teslarati
Published Oct. 18, 2022

Teslawants a new trial in its case against former worker Owen Diaz, who sued the company for racial discrimination and was awarded a stunning $137 million jury verdict.

Tesla argued proceeding with a narrower trial focused on the issue of damages would end up violating the constitution.

In a filing in San Francisco federal court on Oct. 14, Tesla’s legal team claimed jurors could not really determine how much damages should be paid to Diaz unless they hear all the evidence related to the former employee’s claims.

Diaz said in a

Nikola Founder Trevor Milton Convicted on 3 Counts of Fraud

Written by Ben O’Hare, InsideEVs
Published Oct. 17, 2022

Nikola Motors founder and former CEO Trevor Milton was convicted on three of the four counts of fraud he was facing.

Milton was charged with two counts each of wire fraud and securities fraud. The 40-year-old insisted he "did nothing wrong" and was only "talking about a business plan."

He was found guilty on both counts of wire fraud and one of securities fraud. He was acquitted on the other securities fraud charge.

Milton founded Nikola Motors in 2014 with the goal of making a hydrogen-powered Class 8 semi truck. The firm later revealed plans for a

Michigan Suspends Novi Car Dealership Carvana's License Citing 'Imminent Harm' to Public

Written by Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press
PublishedOct. 13, 2022

The Michigan Department of State has suspended the license of the Carvanadealership in Novi, MI, for "imminent harm to the public," a claim Carvana calls "baseless."

In a media release, the state said Carvana LLC, owned by Paul Breaux and located off of Novi Road near I-96, committed several alleged violations of the Michigan Vehicle Code. The alleged violations were discovered during an investigation by the state regulatory staff of multiple complaints from consumers about title problems with their vehicles.

A phone

Minnesota Law Firm Files Class Action Complaint on Behalf of Kia and Hyundai Theft Victims

Published Oct. 13, 2022

Hellmuth & Johnson announced its clients have brought a class action against Kia America, Inc.and Hyundai Motor America following a nationwide rash of thefts that revealed a major defect in certain Kia and Hyundai models.

According to the complaint, Kia and Hyundai did not install engine immobilizers in many of their vehicles produced before November 2021. These vehicles are now sitting targets and continue to be frequently stolen across the country.

Manufacturers have regularly installed engine immobilizers in vehicles for decades as a common theft deterrent. Engine

Subaru Battery Settlement Final Approval Hearing Information

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
PublishedOct. 11, 2022

A Subarubattery settlement final approval hearing is approaching after Subaru agreed to settle the class action lawsuit that alleges software errors cause the battery to drain.

The Subaru battery lawsuit alleges the battery drains due to the controller area network (CAN) which relies on electrical current when the vehicle is in use.

The CAN system should go to sleep when the vehicle is turned off, but software errors allegedly prevent the CAN from sleeping. This is allegedly what drains the battery and every replacement battery.

The plaintiffs say replacing

GM Hit with $102.6 Million Jury Verdict in Class Action Over Defective Engines

PublishedOct. 6, 2022

In a rare class action trial verdict, a California federal jury on Oct. 4 found the nation’s largest automobile manufacturer hid an engine defect that resulted in excessive oil consumption, leading to engine damage, stalling and premature breakdown in tens of thousands of General Motors’s 5.3-liter SUVs and light trucks. 

The jury returned a $102.6 million verdict against GM in a class action lawsuit led by national plaintiffs’ trial firm DiCello Levitt on behalf of owners and lessees of GM trucks and SUVs sold from 2011-2014 in California, North Carolina and Idaho, which contained the

Sweeping Fraud Arrests Announced in Pennsylvania Car Title Washing Ring

PublishedOct. 5, 2022

Criminal charges were brought against 19 individuals and 13 businesses for “title washing,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Oct. 5.

The participants in these criminal rings included George Frietto of George’s Garage, Luis Salazar of Salazar Auto Sales and N & G Towing, their employees, several used-car dealers from within and outside Pennsylvania, and an authorized tag and title agency. 

These individuals coordinated to purchase totaled vehicles, falsify inspection information and submit

Car Repair Coverage Company Ordered to Pay $1.7 Million to PA Consumers

PublishedOct. 5, 2022

A court order has been secured for more than $1.7 million in restitution for Pennsylvania residents against Omega Vehicle Services, LLC, which did business as Delta Auto Protect, along with its manager, Charles Seruya, for violating consumer protection laws.

The order was announced Sept. 19 by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

Consumers nationwide purchased vehicle service contracts from Delta Auto, with the understanding that the contract would cover needed repairs. When consumers attempted to get coverage or reimbursement, however, Delta Auto would deny

Pennsylvania Auto Body Shop Owner Charged with Submitting $426K in Falsified Insurance Claims

The owner of Chalfont Collision Center in Chalfont, PA, submitted nearly 300 false insurance claims over several years to four insurance companies, pocketing more than $426,000 in payouts.

John Paul Reis, 56, of Newtown Township, PA, turned himself in Aug. 25 on charges of insurance fraud, deceptive business practices, forgery and theft by deception, all third-degree felonies. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Regina Armitage, who set bail at $150,000 unsecured.

The charges filed against Reis are the result of a four-year investigation by the Bucks County District Attorney’s

Class-Action Lawsuit Claims Chevrolet, GMC Trucks, SUVs Were Made with Defective Paint

General Motors is facing a class-action lawsuit because of the paint on Chevrolet and GMC’s line of full-size trucks and SUVs from the model years 2015 through 2019.

The complainants claim the clearcoat and paint were defective from the factory.

The suit involves the 2015-2019 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban and Silverado as well as the GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Sierra from the same model years, reports CarComplaints.com. The clearcoat on those vehicles allegedly delaminates, bubbles, flakes, erodes and blisters, leading to demands for a recall.

“GM should properly repair all of the Class Vehicles, immediately, offer rescission to the

Mercedes Red Paint Settlement Final

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Dec. 6, 2021

A Mercedes red paint settlement has been granted final approval by a federal judge after car owners alleged their 590 Mars Red paint blistered, peeled and bubbled.

The red paint lawsuit settlement was reached after the automaker said it would be cheaper to settle the class action than continue to fight a prolonged court battle.

However, Mercedes-Benz denies all allegations of liability and wrongdoing.

Included in the red paint settlement are current and former lessees and owners of these Mercedes-Benz vehicles that were painted with Mars Red 590 paint:

• 2004-2015 Mercedes-Benz