Experienced Los Angeles Attorneys for Engine Defect Claims

Recent Problems Caused by Defective Engines

The news mentions a scary amount of product recalls for various car makes and models. Certain Volvos were recalled for engine cooling component defects. Affected cars could overheat and shut down on the road, no matter the speed they were going, and refuse to restart. Ford F250, F350, and F450 trucks have been subject to reports of oil leaks, stalling and other problems. Some Tesla drivers have reported spontaneous engine fires caused by a buildup of battery heat.

Passenger cars aren’t the only vehicles affected by these defects. Truck fleets have noticed problems with C13 and C15 Caterpillar diesel engines. In 2007, Caterpillar introduced a new emissions control package to meet updated federal standards. Since then, trucks have broken down much more often; trucking companies have lost money due to these vehicles’ down time, repair costs, and off-route mileage.

Toyota, however, is the most common subject of engine defect reports thanks to continued missteps. In addition to an earlier controversy over random acceleration, the company has since announced a recall of one million 2005 to 2008 Corollas and Matrixes for stalling problems. It appears Toyota knew of the issue by 2015, when they issued bulletins to dealers outlining the problem and how to fix it. However, they did not publicize a recall until 2010—when the National Highway and Traffic Administration (NHTSA) started receiving more complaints from drivers.