Avis Sued For Reporting LA Woman’s Rental Car As Stolen

By Steven Symes Motorious

Ramona Gutierrez, a single mother and full-time Uber driver in Los Angeles, said Avis erroneously reported the car she’d rented as stolen, leading to her getting pulled over and detained by the Los Angles County Sheriff’s Department, so she’s suing the rental car company.

According to Gutierrez, on March 22, she was driving on the freeway in a vehicle she rented from Avis because her personal vehicle was in the shop, when she was pulled over by six sheriff’s department vehicles. She claimed deputies held her at gunpoint, slamming her to the ground and roughly handcuffing her, causing injuries to her wrists.

Gutierrez said she tried explaining to deputies the car had been legally rented that day, but they put her in the back of a police vehicle. Her lawyer explained, “This experience has left her shaken and traumatized, and she is now seeking compensation for her injuries and emotional distress.”

At the time, Gutierrez claimed, no one explained why she was pulled over and detained, leaving her confused and scared. It was only later she learned someone at Avis had reported the rental car had been stolen. After the incident, Gutierrez claims, Avis hasn’t so much as apologized.

Gutierrez said she is so traumatized by the incident, she hasn’t been back to work. She had been working as an Uber driver for six years.

Motorious reached out to Avis Budget Group, which owns Avis, Budget Rent A Car, Budget Truck Rental, Payless Car Rental and Zipcar, and received the following statement: “We have comprehensive safeguards in place to prevent erroneous police notifications. Unfortunately, in this isolated incident, a customer was stopped by the police and detained because of an error on Avis’s part. Due to ongoing legal action, we cannot comment beyond that.”

By Steven Loveday InsideEVs

According to a recent study by iSeeCars, Tesla is the most recalled car brand. In fact, the publication said, the Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X secure four out of the top five spots for most recalled models. Porsche also has four of the most recalled models. Brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota show up the least on the list of recalls.

iSeeCars consulted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) list of recalls from 2014 to 2023 to put together its list. The goal was to learn which of today’s cars are expected to have the most and least recalls over the course of a 30-year lifespan. “Looking through NHTSA’s recall data confirmed a wide spectrum of recall activity between the most and least recalled models,” said iSeeCars’ Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. “A car like the Lexus NX 300h or Nissan 370Z is projected to have less than one recall over a 30-year lifespan. Conversely, the most recalled cars, including all four Tesla models, a Porsche and two Volkswagens, are projected to have between 20 and 62 recalls.” iSeeCars noted the average car is recalled four times over its projected 30-year lifespan. However, a car like the Tesla Model Y is expected to accumulate 62 recalls. iSeeCars pointed out Tesla has the ability to address many recalls via over-the-air software updates. Tesla has a handful of recalls right now that do require a service visit, but an onslaught of recalls over the last year or so have been software updates, which are still considered recalls.

The study showed cars with the fewest recalls have “one or fewer predicted recalls” over a 30-year lifespan, while the most recalled models are predicted have at least 10 during the same lifespan—something new car buyers should consider as they shop for a vehicle.

Just because the car doesn’t have to go into the shop doesn’t mean there’s not a problem that could pose a safety issue. The fix may just happen to be easier on the customer.

Fix Auto Kearny Mesa Honored As Top Shop by Automobile Club of Southern California

Fix Auto Kearny Mesa has been recognized for its outstanding performance in 2022, earning the Top Shop by the Automobile Club of Southern California award.

Having joined the Fix Auto USA network of owners just over three years ago, the facility, owned by Bryan Wendt, has been making strides to grow its operations and provide an exceptional level of repair quality and service to its valued community. In addition to receiving the Top Shop recognition, Fix Auto Kearny Mesa was also recognized in the top three out of all member-preferred repairs (MPR) shops in Southern California.

“We were honored to receive these recognitions,” said Wendt. “Our team works day in and day out to provide exceptional collision repair quality to our community. We are committed to our craft and look forward to continuing our growth to serve more in our area.”

The Automobile Club of

Southern California, an AAAaffiliated club, recognizes topperforming facilities every year. AAA is committed to providing its customers with stellar recommendations to achieve all their vehicle repair needs. Fix Auto Kearny Mesa has been an MPR shop since 2019 and looks forward to the many years ahead.

“I can’t thank my team enough for their dedication and determination,” continued Wendt. “This group exceeds my expectations every day. We are ready to keep elevating the bar to reach new heights in collision repair excellence.”

Visit FixAutoUSA.com to learn more.

Source: Fix Auto USA