Blecker: GM Recalls Show Need for Harsher Penalties for "Red Collar" Criminals
Join us for a timely seminar focused on current issues affecting those who practice in the automotive space. Gain perspective from in-house counsel regarding their business and legal concerns. Increase your...more
Airbags play a crucial role in automotive safety. In recognition of their significance, in 1999, the federal government mandated that all new vehicles—cars, trucks, and SUVs—must come equipped with front airbags for both...more
That delivery van making its slow creep through your neighborhood could pose a car accident risk—even when there’s no one behind the wheel....more
This report helps automotive suppliers inform their legal and operational decisions to help address challenges and opportunities. Key Developments GM scheduled downtime for the week of July 26 at three pickup truck...more
Vehicle owners and drivers who have been hurt in accidents involving defective automobiles that have not been recalled should be aware of their legal rights and options. Legally, some accident victims may be entitled to file...more
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to be active in investigating potential safety-related defects and noncompliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). As the deployment of...more
Although the number of total vehicle recall campaigns is likely to be down this year, lower volume recall campaigns are expected to continue to trend upwards, including those involving electrical system components. ...more
One of the more bedeviling problems for the automotive industry (and for manufacturers in general) is how to alert consumers to pending recalls, and getting consumers to comply with those recalls. According to NHTSA, only 70%...more
Porsche rolled out its line of Cayenne sport-utility vehicles with carefree cruising in mind. Volkswagen did the same think with its Touareg models. Now, about 125,000 of the upscale SUVs have been recalled because of fuel...more
In the next five years we will see more and more self-driving vehicles, or autonomous vehicles, hit the market. An “autonomous vehicle” is a vehicle capable of navigating roadways and interpreting traffic-control devices...more
Yesterday, the Automotive Industry Team of Foley & Larnder LLP (yes, us), hosted its annual event at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI. Eschewing narrow or small topics, we charged into 2017 by trying...more
Foley’s Automotive Industry Team has prepared this report that examines what the litigation, enforcement, and regulatory landscape will look like in 2017. Inside, you will learn about: - Managing warranty, recall, and...more
A vehicle flagged for a potentially fatal flaw in April 2016 has been linked to hundreds of needless accidents and injuries and now a death. Actor Anton Yelchin, 27, was killed two months after the automaker issued a recall...more
Twelve years have passed since two 20-something sisters died in a rented PT Cruiser that had an open recall for a defective power-steering hose. At the time, the Budgets, Enterprises and Hertzes of the United States were not...more
A mind boggling number of cars are on the recall list for safety problems – including about 34 million American vehicles for defective Takata airbags alone. Additionally, last year was a record for the National Highway...more
2016 will likely be an active year for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and increased enforcement actions and new technology and privacy measures are expected. Below are four things to keep in mind...more
Late last week, Fiat filed a Motion to Dismiss the proposed class action against it following reports of hacking into vehicle information systems and its announcement that it was recalling 1.4 million Dodge, Ram and Jeep...more
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) issuance of a notice of violation last week to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (collectively Volkswagen) appears to have further validated EPA’s and...more
By now, anyone not living under a rock for the last 18 months is no doubt aware of the high-profile recalls that have been roiling the automotive industry. Although the long-running GM ignition switch recall may be the most...more
In 2014, NHTSA collected a record setting amount of civil penalties. For 2015, NHTSA may be on pace to exceed last year’s record. On July 26, 2015, NHTSA announced a $105 million civil penalty against FCA US LLC, the former...more
This post was written by special guest authors Neil Steinkamp, Managing Director, and Jake Reed, Manager, from Stout Risious Ross. There has been much attention recently regarding the efforts made to complete recalls in...more
In the wake of GM’s ignition-switch, the Secretary of Transportation, Anthony R. Foxx, directed an investigation into NHTSA’s defect investigation policies and procedures. Specifically, Secretary Foxx requested that the U.S....more
In recent years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received increased public and Congressional scrutiny stemming from high-profile safety defects, such as the Toyota unintended-acceleration issues...more
Recalls are in the news as much as ever. The number of units recalled in 2014 eclipsed the total from 2010-2013, combined. Takata’s recall is expanding to 34 million vehicles as the company enters a Consent Decree with NHTSA....more
This past year, we witnessed the GM Ignition Switch investigation, which involved massive recalls, multiple Congressional hearings, and civil penalties; the ongoing Takata airbag inflator investigation and recalls (and more...more