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DEFECTIVE ENGINES


Nationwide Representation
Nationwide Success

Cincinnati Engine Defect Attorney

Investigating auto recalls and defective auto engines

American consumers who purchase inferior products that fail to perform as intended, or present safety issues, as in the case of defective auto parts, have been filing class action lawsuits to hold negligent automakers accountable for their errors. Defective engines have been a hot topic in the last few years, and a number of different automakers have been forced to recall cars and trucks as a result. Plaintiffs have claimed these companies may have known about certain engine defects and still put the product to market. Auto manufacturers that have been targeted in defective engines litigation include:

  • Kia
  • Hyundai
  • General Motors (GM)
  • Ford
  • Navistar
  • BMW
  • Audi

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Ohio Class Action Auto Defect Lawyer and Product Liability Attorney reviewing auto recall and engine defect cases for plaintiffs nationwide. 

The Lyon Firm works with automotive engineers and Accident Investigators to determine the root cause of accidents and specific auto defects. Lawsuits can recover rightful compensation for plaintiffs. 

Oil Consumption Problems

Any consumer who owns or leases a 2010–2017 Audi vehicle with a 2.0-liter turbo engine may have been experiencing excessive oil consumption. Experts have been investigating whether an auto defect is causing the cars’ pistons and piston heads to break off, leading to serious problems and costly repairs.

Car owners have reported excessive oil consumption, sudden loss of power whilst driving, engine knocking, and illumination of the check engine light. Lawyers are attempting to recoup money that consumers were forced to spend on engine repairs in a class action claim.

Audi has not recalled the vehicles, and customers are at least arguing they deserve an extension of warranties or fix the problem. If you’ve noticed that your car is burning large amounts of oil or showing signs of piston failure, you may have a claim.

Pistons failing may lead to a sudden loss of engine power, and present a serious safety risk for drivers. In 2014, Audi agreed to settle claims that a defect caused cars to burn excessive amounts of oil, but the settlement only covered 2009-2011 models.

Defective GM Engines

General Motors has been inundated with lawsuits involving trucks and SUVs with allegedly faulty engines. Class action claims against GM allege the 5.3-liter Vortec engine in popular GM vehicles like the Chevy Silverado were “engineered to fail.” Plaintiffs have stated that the automaker knew about engine problems but chose not to fix the technical issue.

This class action lawsuit alleges some Vortec engines have serious oil consumption problems due to a defective engine. Plaintiffs say defective piston rings may cause oil consumption problems and may raise the risk of engine fires. The piston rings in question may fail to keep oil in the crankcase and lead the engine to consume an excessive amount of oil.

Some drivers say they have not been alerted to low oil levels, causing issues with spark plugs, ignition and overall performance. In the end, engines may be badly damaged, ultimately leading to high repair costs for the consumer. The 5.3-liter Vortec engine is the in the following GM models:

  • 2010-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche
  • 2010-2013 Chevrolet Silverado
  • 2010-2014 Chevrolet Suburban
  • 2010-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
  • 2010-2013 GMC Sierra
  • 2010-2014 GMC Yukon 

Ford EcoBoost Engines

Ford owners filed a class action lawsuit against the American automaker, alleging defective EcoBoost engines cause coolant to leak into the cylinders, resulting in engine fires and engine failure. The complaint itemized numerous claims against Ford Motor, including breach of warranty, fraud, unjust enrichment, negligent misrepresentation, and violations of consumer protection laws.

The lawsuit claims that Ford may have known that the EcoBoost engine had a defect since 2010, based on complaints made by consumers to the NHSTA over the years. Ford initially failed to provide any real solutions, even for vehicles under warranty. Some Ford owners have faced thousands of dollars out of pocket in repairs due the engine failure. Ford issued several Technical Service Bulletins concerning the engine problems from 2018 to 2020. Ford had recalled and installed new coolant level sensors in 2017, yet plaintiff say the fix did not address the actual leaking issue. Vehicles equipped with 1.5L, 1.6L, and 2.0L Ford EcoBoost engines may be affected by the defect, including the following models:

  • 2013-2019 Ford Escapes
  • 2013-2019 Ford Fusions
  • 2015-2018 Ford Edges
  • 2017-2019 Lincoln MKC
  • 2017-2019 Lincoln MKZ

Hyundai Engine Defects

In 2019 Hyundai Motor reached a settlement in the U.S. after a lawsuit was filed due to alleged engine defects. The class action case was brought by U.S. drivers over an alleged auto defect that raised the risk of car engines catching fire. Part of the settlement included a pledge to provide a lifetime warranty on the engines in question.

More than 350 consumer complaints were reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over non-collision fires in Hyundai and Kia cars as result of the engine issues.

Navistar Engine Defect Settlement

In 2020, a judge granted approval to a proposed $135 million settlement brought on behalf of truck owners alleging that Navistar sold or leased vehicles equipped with diesel engines equipped with a defective emissions system.

The $135 million settlement provided plaintiffs with up to $2,500 per truck or a $10,000 rebate off a new truck, or up to $15,000 per truck in damages caused by the alleged engine defect.

BMW Engine Lawsuits

A class action lawsuit was filed over an alleged BMW engine defect which caused low oil levels. American plaintiffs said that a defect in the turbocharged N63 engine caused them to use an excessive amount of oil. The supposedly defective engines were installed in 2013-2015 BMWs. According to the complaint, BMW may have known of the defect but failed to warn consumers.

A separate lawsuit alleged that N20 and N26 engines in certain BMW models had defective timing chain and oil pump drive chain that could possibly lead to sudden engine failure.

The Lyon Firm has the resources and knowledge to work alongside design and bio-mechanical engineering, accident reconstruction, human factors, pathology and other medical experts determine the root cause of the death and to develop the compelling evidence  to present the highest quality evidence and arguments on behalf of the injured party and the family. 

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

defective engines claims
Keeping the consumer safe

Why are Auto Defect Cases important?

Serious injuries and accidents often result from auto defects or auto accidents, and the injured victim suffers from life altering physical, mental and financial losses. Such economic and human losses can have devastating financial consequences on individuals and families if not properly compensated. Tort law allows those individuals to seek just legal recourse through auto defect lawsuits.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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Questions about Engine Defects Lawsuits

Has my vehicle been Recalled?

Consumers can follow recall news or search for current and past recalls on the Web sites of the NHTSA, as well as on other car safety advocate outlets. Look on your car windshield for a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number. Your VIN is also located on your car’s registration card.

If your car has been recalled and you have suffered an injury, contact an auto defect attorney to investigate a potential claim

Can I File an Engine Defect Lawsuit?

You may not be aware that your engine is defective until it fails or requires thousands of dollars in repairs. It is not always obvious when your engine fails to function as intended, but over time serious issues will be evident. It can take an expert in auto engineering to determine what contributed to an accident or injury, though defective engines are usually diagnosed pretty easily.

You can contact The Lyon Firm, and we will work diligently to review your defective engine case. If an auto defect was in part responsible for an auto injury, a lawsuit can be filed and a large settlement is likely.

If negligent manufacturers and automakers are directly responsible for an auto-related injury, a product liability and personal injury lawsuit may be filed and compensation may be recovered for accident victims. Plaintiffs may seek compensation that may include property damages, past and future medical expenses, lost wages and future earnings, and pain and suffering.

The Lyon Firm takes pride in representing consumers to make America’s roads safer by holding negligent auto manufacturers accountable for engine defects that lead to serious repair costs, accidents and injuries. When car makers fail to institute basic safety measures and fail to test auto components before releasing cars tot he public, they may be targeted in product liability lawsuits.

Did an Engine Defect Cause my Accident?

Auto defects have been known to cause accidents in tire failure, tread separation accidents, brake malfunction and sudden acceleration cases. Engine failure can also lead to serious issues, including car fires. 

Auto defects may not cause every accident, but they can play an integral part in causing injury in the event of an accident. This is common in defective seat back collapse, seat belt defects and airbag defects. When these crucial safety features fail to function as they were intended.

Who is Responsible for Engine Defects?

Auto manufacturers and car makers can be held liable in engine defect lawsuits. Many automakers outsource some of their production and may not always be aware of some engine defects. 

Some defective auto part suits name other defendants like negligent auto dealerships or auto repair shops who alter car parts or fail to properly repair automobiles and leave a serious safety risk.

What Car Engines are Defective?

The list of defective automobiles changes each year, and it is more likely that certain components or models are defective rather than an entire brand name. Nowadays many car makers use the same third-party suppliers, which compounds safety issues when a defective auto part is produced.

Can you sue a car manufacturer?

Product liability lawsuits may be filed against automakers if they produce and sell defective cars to the general public, whether knowingly or unintentionally. Automakers may be negligent for not properly testing cars properly before releasing them to consumers. Any accident or injury related to an auto defect can result in a good case against a car manufacturer.