Lawsuits in the News

How Secrecy Pacts Keep Regulators, Public in the Dark

by Ben Kelley April 13, 2016 For businesses that make and sell dangerous products, secrecy is a…

USA Today Editorial: Secret settlements vs. your safety: Our view

Selfish wishes of a few should not override public interest.

What people don’t know can hurt them — as proven repeatedly by a system of secret justice that has grown up inside the courts.

General Motors’ handling of its Chevy Cobalts with faulty ignition switches is the latest example. GM has settled several claims by victims or their loved ones — on the condition that the terms remain secret.

Lawsuit: GM knew of Cobalt ignition problem

Ignition switch problem can shut off engine while driving, and it can cut off the driver’s power steering and brakes, as well as safety systems such as airbags and anti-lock brakes

Toyota Agrees to Settle Lawsuit Tied to Accelerations – 12/26/12

DETROIT — Toyota Motor agreed on Wednesday to pay more than $1 billion to settle a class-action lawsuit related to issues of unintended acceleration in its vehicles.

The proposed settlement, filed in a Federal District Court in California, would be one of the largest of its type in automotive history. If the agreement is approved by Judge James V. Selna, Toyota would make cash payments for the loss of value on vehicles affected by multiple recalls and install special safety features on up to 3.2 million cars.

Los Angeles court overturns small-claims judgment against American Honda over hybrid mileage – 5/9/12

LOS ANGELES — A judge overturned a nearly $10,000 small claims judgment against American Honda Motor Co. that was won by a car owner who said the automaker misrepresented that her hybrid Civic could get 50 miles per gallon, according to a ruling released Wednesday.

Rent-a-Car Companies Putting Recalled Autos on the Road

ABC News Investigation Finds Enterprise, Hertz and Avis Often Rent Vehicles Despite Safety Recalls

By JOSEPH RHEE and BRIAN ROSS

July 7, 2010—

The country’s biggest rent-a-car companies routinely rent out vehicles under safety recall before they have been fixed, an ABC News investigation has found.
Executives of the country’s largest car rental company, Enterprise – the parent of National and Alamo – made the surprising admission in a California court case involving the deaths of two California women.

Enterprise Admits Guilt In Houck Deaths

By Misty Volaski

Ojai Valley News

6/23/10

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Reiterates Procedures for Automobile Manufacturers’ Recalls

The following statement was provided to the Ojai Valley News on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 in response to the deaths of Raechel and Jacqueline Houck:

Statement

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Reiterates Procedures for Automobile Manufacturers’ Recalls “If and when manufacturers recommend that vehicle owners park or ground their vehicles, we promptly do so. However, we also believe there are times when recalled vehicles need to be grounded regardless.”

FTC and Budget Rent-A-Car Consent Decree

113 F.T.C. 1109, 1990 WL 10012589 (F.T.C.)

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION (F.T.C.)

In the Matter of
 BUDGET
 RENT A CAR CORPORATION

CONSENT ORDER, ETC., IN REGARD TO ALLEGED VIOLATION OF SEC. 5 OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ACT
Docket C–3316

Complaint, December 27, 1990

Decision, December 27, 1990