Cars today are much more than just a means of transport. They integrate tech systems and other features that help improve convenience and control. These systems even usually offer some level of in-car entertainment, too.
Faulty tech and infotainment systems in vehicles can be big problems. Sometimes, they impact the safety of the vehicle and the people in it; in other cases, they may prevent the vehicle from being used to its full potential. Either way, a vehicle with tech or infotainment problems that should be covered under warranty may be considered a lemon car.
A lemon vehicle is a vehicle that does not function properly because of certain kinds of defects. Lemon car defects can take on all sorts of forms.
The exact defects that make a car a lemon vary by state; and the way that lemon law claims and cases are handled changes in different locations, too.
The first thing that somebody who may have purchased a car with a faulty tech or infotainment system should know is that these can potentially warrant a lemon claim. Even though tech problems may not seem as dire as an issue with an engine or a set of brakes, they can prove just as limiting — or even dangerous.
What is an infotainment system?
Car infotainment systems all function a little differently from one another. At their most basic level, though, they allow vehicle drivers and passengers to control a variety of functions within a car. Infotainment systems are usually mounted in the center of a car’s dashboard. In modern vehicles, they almost always rely on touchscreen technology.
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Some examples of the features that may be available through a vehicle’s infotainment system include:
- The ability to connect a mobile device via Bluetooth
- The capability to view vehicle performance data
- GPS navigation
- Climate control
- Rear camera display
- Internet connectivity
Different infotainment systems integrate different capabilities. Some of them offer a very wide host of features. The way these systems work is totally dependent on the vehicles they are a part of.
Malfunctions and defects in tech and infotainment systems
Faulty tech and infotainment systems are at the root of many vehicle troubles. Sometimes, the problems just mean that a car doesn’t function the way that it should; but in other cases, defective tech in vehicles can lead to dangerous situations.
Both scenarios could mean someone has a valid lemon claim. Lemon laws allow consumers who have purchased new vehicles to seek replacement, repair, or refunds for problems that cannot be fixed after several attempts to solve the issues
Examples of faulty tech and infotainment systems in lemon vehicles
An improperly functioning infotainment system can take on lots of forms. In some cases, a car may even display multiple tech issues at once. Some of the most frequently experienced infotainment defects in vehicles today include:
Screen problems: Infotainment screens in cars may black out or be unresponsive to touch. Even a very slow-to-respond touch screen can prove dangerous if the problem occurs at a bad time.
Inaccurate navigation: Drivers should be able to rely on their vehicles’ navigation systems to guide them to their destinations safely. GPS and other navigation technology that does not work properly may cause somebody to get lost or drive using routes that are not safe for their car.
Poor performance based on weather: Hot or cold weather should not prevent a car’s infotainment system from functioning. If the technology in a car does not load or work properly due to the temperature, someone cannot rely on that technology to keep them safe or improve their vehicle’s function.
Failure to respond to voice commands: Voice commands are one way that some drivers improve their safety on the road. Instead of looking at a screen and touching buttons to change things inside of the car, a person can rely on voice commands to do things like change media volume or navigate through menus. An infotainment system that does not respond properly (or at all) to voice commands can prove very dangerous.
These are just a handful of potential issues that somebody could face with a lemon car’s tech or infotainment system. If a person who has purchased a new vehicle has questions about whether the problems they are experiencing mean their vehicle is a lemon, they can contact a local lemon law attorney for input.
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When does an infotainment or tech problem in a car become a valid reason for a lemon law claim?
The tech interfaces of modern vehicles are very complex. Problems with these systems are complicated– and the question of whether they qualify as potential lemon claims is difficult to pin down.
Many tech and infotainment issues in vehicles can be fixed through software patches. Some require more work, but can be repaired successfully without making a lemon law claim. This is why somebody might need a lemon law attorney to help them assess which steps to take to solve their vehicle issues. Lemon lawyers deal with claims and cases that involve infotainment systems regularly. They understand consumer’s rights under local and state lemon laws.
Almost any problem with a vehicle that significantly impairs the use or market value of that car has the potential to warrant a lemon claim. There are individual state laws that outline this, but there’s also one federal law that anyone who buys a new car should know about: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty act requires that any product manufacturer or seller provides customers with detailed warranty coverage information.
Under the Act, customers are always entitled to the basic protection that goods they purchase should do what they are supposed to do (in the case of a vehicle: getting somebody from point A to point B safely).
Getting around in today’s world often involves an infotainment system; and if somebody’s vehicle infotainment system seems faulty or defective, they can take steps to protect themselves and potentially fix or replace their car. Federal and state lemon laws may allow them to pursue relief for defects covered under warranty.
A reliable and experienced lemon law attorney is the best person to ask if you have questions about faulty tech or a defective infotainment system. These lawyers have extensive experience helping their clients fight to protect their rights under numerous lemon laws. You may find that you have the right to claim compensation after your vehicle’s infotainment system fails to work correctly.