{"id":368938,"date":"2023-04-10T17:30:42","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T22:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-specific-car-brands-for-defective-engines.html"},"modified":"2023-04-10T17:40:57","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T22:40:57","slug":"can-i-sue-specific-car-brands-for-defective-engines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/filing-a-lawsuit\/can-i-sue-specific-car-brands-for-defective-engines.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Sue a Car Maker for a Defective Engine?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can I Sue a Car Maker for a Defective Engine?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Steven Ellison, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

You can sue car manufacturers for defective engines under product liability laws, lemon laws, or warranty claims, especially if the defect causes injury or cannot be repaired. Vehicle recalls are often issued to fix safety issues, but if the defect persists or causes harm before a recall, legal action may be necessary. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Often, the government or the manufacturer itself might be a step ahead of you. If they discover a problem with the car engine or other part of the vehicle’s design, they’ll issue a safety recall voluntarily.<\/p>\n

But what if you are injured before the car’s problem can be fixed, or what if the defective engine leaves you stranded?<\/p>\n

In these situations, you may either be entitled to a refund or replacement under the defective car laws of your state (known as lemon laws<\/a>) or under product liability and warranty claims. If you are injured, you may have personal injury claims against the manufacturer.<\/p>\n

If you want to sue a car brand for a defective engine, a product liability attorney<\/a> or lemon law lawyer<\/a>\u00a0will be your strongest advocate. An experienced attorney in your area can\u00a0help you understand your rights and pursue compensation.<\/p>\n

Vehicle Recalls<\/h2>\n

A recall <\/a>is when a car brand or the government decides that a car or its parts create a safety risk for the general public. If the manufacturer itself hasn’t already recalled the car on their own, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<\/a> (NHTSA) will step in and force the recall.<\/p>\n

This means that, depending on your state, either the manufacturer or the dealership where you bought your motor vehicle will send you a postcard, which by law will have:<\/p>\n