|
Search
Search through the thousands of lawsuits, complaints and recalls on our site.
 |
Case ID: 3590 | Automotive | 08/03/2004
A class action has been filed against BMW of North America, LLC, on behalf of thousands of 2001-2004 BMW X5 owners nationwide, who allege that the sport utility vehicles have defective air bags which can deploy for no reason, and that the company requires owners to sign confidentiality agreements before performing free repairs. The suit further claims that the confidentiality form violates Florida's 1990 Sunshine in Litigation Act barring secrecy about public hazards. The action seeks remediation of the design flaw, an order forcing BMW to admit the problem, and reimbursal of all repair costs customers have paid.
The lawsuit, filed by Yvonne Louis and her daughter, Lizette Vale, both of Miami, alleges Vale was driving their 2001 X5 on April 19, 2004, when the driver's side air bag and head protection system, or HPS, deployed with a loud explosion. There action alleges that there was no accident, pothole, or other impact that could have caused the airbag to deploy when it did. Vale alleges that she suffered a chemical burn on her left arm when the driver's side airbag deployed. When she took her car to the dealer, the dealership allegedly told her it would cost her over $3,800 for repairs if she didn't sign a confidentiality agreement. When she called BMW customer relations, the company apparently agreed to repair the airbag-- in return, she was allegedly asked to sign some papers and send them back to BMW. When she received the papers, it turned out that they were the very release and confidentiality agreement that she had originally refused to sign. She refused to sign the papers, got the car repaired on her own, and filed this lawsuit against BMW. BMW joined the luxury sport utility vehicle ranks in the 2000 model year with its X5, a car-based model created to challenge the Infiniti QX4, Lexus RX 300 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Equipped with permanently engaged four-wheel drive, BMW deems the X5 suitable for “any road, any time, any reason,” but it wasn’t really intended for use as a true offroad vehicle. Instead, BMW calls the X5 a “sports activity vehicle.” At Lawcash.com, it is our goal to keep you informed about important legal cases, class actions and settlements. Our lawyers offer free legal evaluations in tort cases, class actions, personal injury, and other lawsuits because we are dedicated to helping you resolve your legal complaints. Other Automotive Cases of Interest Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Mark I. Bernstein rejected a proposed settlement of a tentative class action stemming from the recall of roughly 162,000 Isuzu SUVs due to defective brake systems.
In his recent nine-page order in Parker v. American Isuzu Motors Inc., Bernstein argued that certain requirements of the proposed settlement -- such as that class members would need to produce a police report that supported their claim in order to receive compensation -- might cause plaintiffs undue difficulty.
Tens of thousands of Florida motorists will get compensation under a $50 million class-action settlement approved over the alleged illegal purchase of their motor vehicle records by a bank from the state government. If you own a Class A or Class C Fleetwood Enterprises recreational vehicle, you may need a supplemental braking system if you tow loads approaching 3,500 pounds. The parties have reached a settlement apparently valued at $8.55 million in an action filed against recreational vehicle manufacturer Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. on behalf of original owners of 1994-2000 Fleetwood Class A or Class C motor homes who still own their RVs. Claim forms must be postmarked by April 18, 2004 to be considered valid. The parties have reached a settlement apparently valued at $6.5 million in a 38-state action filed against Ford Motor Credit Corporation on behalf of Ford and Lincoln Mercury “Red Carpet” lease customers who allege that the company overcharged them for early lease termination fees between 1991 and 1995. Persons eligible to take part in the settlement should contact the settlement claims administrator for more information. DaimlerChrysler's North American financing arm has tentatively settled class-action lawsuits brought by minority customers in Chicago and New Jersey. The plaintiffs, mainly composed of African Americans and Hispanics, allege DaimlerChrysler discriminated against in their attempts to purchase new vehicles. Uninsured/underinsured motorist automobile insurance covers you if you are injured in an accident by a liable party who carries insufficient (or no) liability insurance. The parties have reached a tentative $2 million settlement in an action filed against Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Company and related companies on behalf of California policyholders who were sent a selection/rejection form by the company and had their uninsured motorist coverage limits raised unilaterally by the company above $30,000/$60,000 and paid for the coverage between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2002. Claim forms must be postmarked by October 22, 2003, to be considered valid. |
IT'S FREE
|
© 2000 - 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved nola3, llc.
