• 2011-2012 Ford F-150
• 2012 Expedition
• 2012 Lincoln Navigator
• 2012-2013 Mustang

Ford recall notices will be mailed out starting at the end of June, and dealers will inspect and replace the TRS as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Peters said that although she is disappointed with the final ruling, she is glad she raised awareness that Honda is no longer the great brand it used to be. The lawsuit has lead to 37 other Civic owners to opt out of the class action lawsuit and pursue their own case in small claims court. Honda has already won 18 of the suits and has lost one case involving a 2003 Civic hybrid in Santa Barbara.

• Aftermarket Modifications: The manufacturer new car warranty agreement usually says that alterations and modifications to original equipment could prevent you from making a claim under the lemon law. This includes replacing tires or rims, changing electrical components, and adding lift kits to your vehicle. If your lemon law claim is successful, the manufacturer is not required to reimburse you for items that have not been factory installed.
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance: It is important to maintain your vehicle in accordance to the vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Whether you take your vehicle to the garage or do the work yourself, it is important to keep receipts and invoices as proof of maintenance. Keep records of the date and mileage when the maintenance was performed, and what was done to the vehicle.
• Vehicle Abuse: It is rare and difficult to prove, but if the manufacturer or dealer can show that the vehicle has been driven abusively, they can deny replacement or refund under the lemon law.

Vehicles often experience malfunctions that are common to a certain make or model of vehicle. Manufacturer defects often become recalls or technical service bulletins (TSB’s) making it easy for the consumer to research common vehicle problems. Recalls are government mandated and the manufacturer will notify you and repair the problem for free. While TSB’s are public, the manufacturer is not obligated to inform consumers of the problem.

A 2011 Carfax study shows that there are over four million used vehicles for sale with safety recalls that have not been repaired. While automobile manufacturers are required by law to alert vehicle owners and dealerships about the recalls, many owners don’t receive the notice and do not look in the right place for updates. Some recalls can go unfixed for years, and can be passed down from owner to owner. As a used car buyer there is no harm in purchasing a vehicle with an outstanding recall as long as you are aware and take it in to get if fixed by the manufacturer, free of charge. The problem with unfixed recalls on rental vehicles is just another reminder that it is in the interest of everyone to not ignore recalls. Consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen reports on the dangers of buying a used car that has been recalled.