I recently bought a car from a dealer and had it spot inspected at that time. I've had the car for about a year now and my mechanic noticed that the air bag wire was cut. The dealer that I bought my car from said that the car was not in a wreck and was in good condition. I am still paying on the car now and I was wondering what rights I had as far as suing and winning my case. Any info would be nice... thanks.
2007-12-30 13:57:13 · 7 answers · asked by Jillian 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Is there a way to scan the computer to tell when the airbag was deployed? Or anything like that?
2007-12-31 07:47:47 · update #1
It is if you know about it. If you sue, you'll have to prove that the dealer either did it or knew it had been done. It could have been done by whoever dumped it on the dealer. He may have been just as unaware as you were.
2007-12-30 14:06:35 · answer #1 · answered by mustanger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This one is not "winable" most likely! But you might still be able to get the dealer to fix it! It depends on how good the dealer is. It is possible also to get "history" of automobile on internet and find out if it has ever been "totaled" before, - it may or may not have total information on things like "light fender damage etc".! If it has been wrecked, - then you probably have a "case"!
Now if your mechanic knows where the wire is supposed to be hooked up, - you could have a switch put in circuit (so airbag can be "shut off"), - This would then prevent your "undersize wife" from being killed by the airbag going off -- while "saving her life"!! Or a "small teenager" for instance! Airbags not always as safe with smaller people! Besides this woud be a good excuse for wire being cut, -- which may actually be the reason wire was cut in the first place! Check out the statistics!
2007-12-30 14:14:43 · answer #2 · answered by guess78624 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, as far as I know, it's illegal to tamper with the air bags in any way. If you sue them, you have to PROVE that THEY were the ones that disconnected it, very hard to prove since they obviously bought the car from someone else, and will say that they saw no evidence that it was tampered with. Plus, you cannot sue them for anything beyond the price you paid for the car. So even if you win, the judge will probably just have them refund your money, and they get the car back. It's not like you suffered any damages because of it. Now, if you had an accident, and someone got really hurt because the airbag didn't deploy, THEN you may have a bigger case, which again would need proof of WHO tampered with the air bag. I really don't feel that the dealership did this, or even knew about it. This would not be worth the liability to them
2007-12-30 14:06:28 · answer #3 · answered by 80's kid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the air bag system has been tampered with then the air bag fault light should have illuminated. If the bulb has been removed then you have a very good case for bringing action against the selling dealer. I would go to another dealer and have them only diagnose what is exactly at fault in this system. Bring this to the selling dealer and see if they will resolve this issue without going through litigation.
Good Luck
2007-12-30 14:09:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe its not illegal but why would u sell a car with the air bag not working? If your the one looking to buy this said car dont do it.
2007-12-30 14:25:55 · answer #5 · answered by chevy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would have to prove they knowingly did this, and since there was no injury I doubt the case would go anywhere. (the real fault lies with the previous owner) no dealer is required to inspect every wire of every car they sell.
2007-12-30 14:06:28 · answer #6 · answered by cimra 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isnt illegal in Illinois, as far as I know. Good luck getting the justice you deserve!!!
2007-12-30 14:04:55 · answer #7 · answered by tysdad62271 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋