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Faulty Weld Causes Jeep Wrangler Auto Recall

Dec 27, 2018

Is my Jeep Wrangler’s track bar bracket welded safely?

Fiat Chrysler defects attorneys have learned that the notice the automaker is sending to certain Jeep Wrangler owners and lessees isn’t a holiday card. It’s an auto recall notice.

The Jeep defects effect 18,000 of the automaker’s 2018 and 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL vehicles. Apparently, owners have complained of “steering problems” and an investigation to determine the cause of the alleged problem has reportedly revealed “a faulty weld could cause a part to detach from the car’s frame, creating steering problems”. That part is reportedly known as a “track bar bracket” and it’s located in the front of the vehicle. The automaker is reportedly unaware of any injuries or accidents resulting from the problem.

The affected vehicles should be brought to the dealer for inspection and repair, if needed. Repairs done pursuant to an auto recall are free of charge to the owner or lessee. Fiat Chrysler reportedly anticipates only needing to repair “about 4% of the [18,000] Wranglers, or about 700”.

While auto recalls can be frustrating for car owners, they often result in a correction of the problem and at no cost to the car owner. More frustrating however, is having a new or relatively-new car that is frequently in for repair of the same stubborn problem. In such a case, the car owner may have legal recourse through their state’s lemon law.

While state’s law varies, general similarities require that the lemon law claim be made before the vehicle hits a certain number of miles or has been owned for a certain amount of time. For example, the Pennsylvania lemon law requires that claims be made before the one year/12,000-mile mark. Whereas, the New Jersey lemon law requires action within the first two years or 24,000 miles. The problem must substantially impair the use, value or safety of the vehicle and each state differs on how many repair attempts need to be made as well as other factors.

If you have questions regarding an auto recall, a lemon law claim, or a breach of warranty claim, Timothy Abeel & Associates can help. Depending on the nature of your claim you may be entitled to a full refund of your down payment, trade-in, monthly payments and taxes, or a brand-new car or a cash settlement. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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