Steering and Suspension Defects in Georgia Lemon Law Cases
Steering defects qualify as serious safety defects under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-782(13) — triggering Georgia's single-attempt rule.
Steering defects are the other canonical “serious safety defect” category under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-782(13) — alongside braking. Both trigger the single-attempt rule under § 10-1-784(b).
Common defect categories
- Electric power steering (EPS) failures — sudden loss of assist (per-se serious safety defect).
- Steering wheel vibration.
- Vehicle pulling or wandering — when severe enough to impede control.
- Air suspension failures (BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover, Audi, Tesla).
- Strut and shock failures.
- Death wobble — Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, Ram trucks; clearly a serious safety defect under § 10-1-782(13).
Why steering is uniquely strong in Georgia
EPS failures that result in loss of steering assist, or wobble events at highway speed, satisfy O.C.G.A. § 10-1-782(13)‘s test — “impedes the consumer’s ability to control or operate” the vehicle. One failed repair attempt plus the manufacturer’s 28-day final repair window can trigger full Lemon Law remedies.
What manufacturers typically argue
- “Within design tolerance.”
- “Customer’s driving caused it.”
- “Repair was successful.”
- “Tire issues, not steering.”
- “Not ‘life-threatening’ under § 10-1-782(13).”
Georgia consumers should be ready to document the safety implications.
Evidence specific to steering / suspension cases
- NHTSA complaints database.
- TSBs and recalls.
- Dash-cam footage of wobble or wander incidents.
- Witness statements.
- Highway-speed incident reports.
What you should do
- Document each repair attempt.
- Track loaner / rental days.
- Send certified-mail notice immediately — the single-attempt rule means one failed repair is enough for serious safety defects.
- Get a Georgia lemon-law attorney reviewing.
These cases settle reliably with FBPA exposure and § 10-1-784(c) + FBPA mandatory fees.
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