Posted by A class action lawsuit filed by consumers over a melted dashboard is underway, and attorneys are investigating this issue. Hundreds of drivers have complained about dashboards that are not made of high-quality materials that cannot withstand the hot summer weather in the United States. This problem is so bad that interior panels of the cars become sticky, shiny, and glare at drivers, posing a safety hazard. Manufacturers of the cars have been notified about this issue, but so far, no recalls have been issued.
Nissan Altima
The federal court recently approved a settlement to a lawsuit involving Nissan’s melty dashboards. Nissan will cover all of the costs of a replacement for affected Altimas, except for $250. The settlement is only valid for Florida Altima owners. The Center for Auto Safety has filed a class action lawsuit against Nissan, explaining the problem of melting dashboards in cars from 2008 to 2012.
The Center for Auto Safety is urging the automaker to fix the problem, saying it has received more than 1,000 complaints from Nissan Altima owners. The center says the problem is more than a cosmetic defect: “When the dashboard is damaged, it can cause the windshield to warp,” and it can also cause airbags to deploy. The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for replacement costs, as well as for a faulty dashboard.
The plaintiffs say that Nissan’s conduct violates Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Because the defect is known and foreseeable, Nissan must warn its drivers. This includes paying for the replacement dashboards. Nissan hasn’t yet answered the Plaintiffs’ motions to strike the evidence about the melting dashboards. But the company hasn’t ruled on the plaintiffs’ motion to exclude Nissan’s expert testimony.
Lexus
While the company is aware of the dashboard melting issue, they are trying to remain quiet. While they have made promises to replace affected dashboards, the company has never done so. However, some Lexus models are covered by warranty enhancements that could pay for the replacement costs. If your dashboard has melted and needs repair, you may be able to take advantage of this. If not, you should contact your local Lexus dealer to see if it is covered.
The problem with the melted dashboards originated in 2003. Toyota acknowledged the issue in 2011 in a technical service bulletin for Lexus owners. The company was, even so, kind to extend its warranty program to these models. However, there are no official explanations for why the dashboards are melting, and so the lawsuit has remained unresolved. Toyota is currently in the process of replacing 3.5 million vehicles worldwide as a part of a customer support program, which will pay for the repair costs.
The hot weather in Florida is the reason why the dashboards are melting and causing injuries. The dashboards of some Lexus models have become cracked, shiny, and sticky. This lawsuit seeks to hold the automaker accountable for a safety defect and to pay for the costs of the repairs. During a faulty dashboard, the temperature of the dash will be a significant factor in determining how much the car owner should be compensated.
Mazda
A lawsuit alleges that Mazda Motor Corporation and Mazda Motor of America Inc. failed to warn consumers about the danger of melting dashboards in certain models. The lawsuit asserts that Mazda knew or should have known about the defect and failed to fix it before consumers purchased their cars. A settlement is expected this summer. Until then, consumers are advised to contact their car manufacturer for repairs. Some consumers have already complained that their dashboards have melted.
Fortunately, Mazda is following Toyota’s lead and has extended the warranty for drivers of its Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 models. Drivers of these vehicles have complained that the dashboards are slippery and can cause them to lose vision, especially on sunny days. The issue has also been reported with Lexus cars, and a class-action lawsuit is pending against the carmaker. If this lawsuit is successful, Mazda Motor Corp. could face millions of dollars in damages.
After hearing about the problem, a local television network in Florida began investigating the issue. WPTV broadcast stories of drivers who said their dashboards began melting, even with sunshades or tinted windows. A Toyota dealership in West Palm Beach has now requested a formal recall for all affected cars. According to WPTV, four accidents have been linked to dangerous glare from melted dashboards. Despite acknowledging these claims, Lexus, Nissan and Mazda have yet to settle the lawsuits and are facing class-action suits.