Frequently Asked Questions
Examples of safety related defects:
- Steering components that may fail suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control
- Problems with fuel system components that may cause vehicle fires
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems that activate when not required resulting in a loss of vehicle control
- Wiring problems that may lead to a fire or a sudden loss of lighting
- Air bags that deploy when they should not
- Child restraints / Car Seats with defective harness systems, buckles or components
- Improperly designed or constructed tires that may fail unexpectedly
- Critical vehicle components that may fail causing loss of vehicle control, or injury to people inside or outside the vehicle
Examples of NON-safety related defects:
- Quality of paint or cosmetic blemishes
- Engine or other power train operational problems
- Squeaks, rattles and noises that indicate prior warning to the operator prior to component failure
- Non-structural or body panel rust
- Air conditioners and radios that do not operate properly
- Air bags that DO NOT deploy in low severity non-injury collisions
- Ordinary wear of equipment that has to be inspected, maintained and replaced periodically by the consumer. Such equipment includes shock absorbers, batteries, brake pads and shoes, and exhaust systems.