Fiat is perhaps less known and used in the United States but is actually the largest automobile manufacturer in Italy. This manufacturer is a top international company and has received numerous awards for its low level of CO2 emissions by its vehicles.

Fiat took a back seat in vehicle manufacturing in the United States until around 2009, when it took a large stake in Chrysler, which was struggling at the time. Fiat offers large and practical four-door cars and small crossovers that are similar to the Jeep Renegade. Fiat is also working on releasing all electric cars, especially overseas in Europe.

Recalls & Issues

One incident of backlash that Fiat received criticism for was an event in 2015 in which federal regulators accused Fiat Chrysler (Fiat) of not performing recalls and informing customers of defects in a timely manner. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) accused Fiat of failing to comply with federal laws in over 20 recalls, involving around 11 millions cars.

The recalls in question involved several Fiat models that had faulty airbags, defective ignition switches, and dangerous electrical wiring. The hearing specifically criticized Fiat for missing deadlines to notify vehicle owners of recalls and actually suspending doing repair work on recalls. The head of the Center for Auto Safety stated in the hearing that, “When it comes to recalls, Fiat Chrysler is an outlaw.”

Most recently, Fiat has had a few recalled vehicles, including the 2016 Fiat 500, which had three recalls and received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5.

Getting Help

A lemon is a vehicle that ends up having manufacturing defects that affect the car’s safety, value, and utility. If you believe that your Fiat is a lemon, you may be entitled to relief against the manufacturer. California Lemon Law may protect you and your vehicle from bearing all the consequences of having a car that is defective. If you would like more information, contact Kaufman & Kavicky, LLP today.