Lemon Law News – Brake Light Problems Force Audi Recall
Volkswagen Group of America (VW) recalled almost 25,000 Audi vehicles after finding problems with their brake lights.
VW sent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a safety recall report detailing a problem found in 24,754 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles built between Feb. 18, 2015 and Sept. 16, 2016.
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The problem involves the vehicles’ brake lights not functioning when the parking brake is used during emergency braking. Oncoming vehicles won’t see emergency braking occurring and can inadvertently cause a rear-end crash.
Audi found a software error caused the problem, saying the vehicle’s gateway control unit software doesn’t properly activate brake lights when using the parking brake in an emergency
The recall report’s chronology states Audi first discovered the problem during internal testing in March 2016. The next month engineers presented the matter to the company’s Product Safety Committee, and from May to November that year engineers evaluated the problem and developed new software to counter it. Audi announced a worldwide service campaign in December 2016, but further investigation led the company to call for a recall on June 19, 2017.
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in July 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 45G6. Audi consumers can also visit the NHTSA’s website, and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
The manufacturer of your vehicle is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to assist you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.