{"id":6126,"date":"2016-12-17T13:40:20","date_gmt":"2016-12-17T18:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/terrybdev.wpengine.com\/?p=6126"},"modified":"2023-09-06T17:54:01","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T22:54:01","slug":"keyless-ignition-systems-problems-terry-bryant-law-firm-houston-tx","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.terrybryant.com\/houston-product-injury-lawyer\/defective-car-accident\/keyless-ignition-accident-lawsuit","title":{"rendered":"Keyless Ignition Systems Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"
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KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS \u2013
\nCONVENIENCE OR CATASTROPHE?<\/h2>\n

\"keyless-ingnition\"At first glance, keyless car ignition systems seem to be a pretty good and convenient way to get going.<\/p>

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Here\u2019s how it works: Imbedded in the key\u2019s fob is a microchip which sends out encoded signals to the auto\u2019s computer. When the key fob is at a set distance from the vehicle, the two exchange specific electronic handshakes<\/strong>, and the auto usually unlocks the doors for the driver to enter.<\/p>\n

Now, instead of having to insert a key into the ignition switch, all you have to do is press a \u201cstart\u201d button<\/strong> \u2013 and the engine engages. The miracles of modern technology \u2013 right?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the problem:<\/p>\n

What comes on should turn off.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But in some cases that just doesn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n

ONE WAY STREET<\/h2>\n

Modern keyless ignition switches seem to have one glaring flaw. With keyed systems, you usually can\u2019t remove the key until the car is placed in park and the ignition switch is turned to the off position \u2013 killing the engine. Also regulations stipulate after the key is removed from the starting system, the vehicle can\u2019t be operated. (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114.)<\/p>\n

You may think with a keyless system, when a car\u2019s computer senses that the electronic fob has moved out of range, the ignition system would likewise shut off, stopping the engine.<\/p>\n

This however isn\u2019t the case.<\/p>\n

If the driver doesn\u2019t manually stop the engine<\/strong> by pressing a button, the car continues to run. This could be chalked up to a gas-wasting inconvenience, except for one major point:<\/p>\n

What if the auto is left running in an enclosed space, such as a garage?<\/p>\n

The consequences can be deadly.<\/p>\n

This is what happened to 13 motorists<\/strong> already. Either forgetting to manually shut off the engine, or believing that the keyless system would automatically do it for them, the cars that were left in a closed garage kept pumping out deadly carbon monoxide from the exhaust. While these incidents are alarming, they’re a different type of danger compared to those where a motorcycle accident lawyer<\/a> might be consulted.<\/p>\n

The colorless and mostly odorless fumes<\/strong> built up, infiltrated the home \u2013 and people lost their lives.<\/p>\n

DEATH BY CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING<\/h2>\n

Such were the circumstances on February 27, 2009. Mary Rivera, Ph.D., Professor of Education Administration at New York\u2019s Fordham University had parked her new Lexus in her garage \u2013 but failed to hit the button that would turn the engine off.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t as absent-minded as it may sound. When a driver is used to placing a key in the ignition switch all their life, when that step is eliminated \u2013 mistakes can and do happen.<\/p>\n

The engine continued to run, and while she and her life-partner Ernest Codelia slept that night, the carbon monoxide built up<\/strong> \u2013 killing him and causing Ms. Rivera permanent brain damage.<\/p>\n

(Red blood cells have a greater affinity for carbon monoxide than for normal oxygen. When CO gas combines with hemoglobin, unlike with O2 the bond remains stable. The victim literally suffocates<\/strong> because the blood is no longer capable of transporting oxygen to the body.)<\/p>\n

ROLLING CAR ACCIDENTS<\/h2>\n

As you read above, with a keyed system the auto must usually be placed in \u201cpark\u201d before the key can be withdrawn. With a keyless system, a car can be shut down while still in the “drive” position<\/strong> \u2013 leading to unintended rolling and the possibility of human or property damage. If such an incident occurs, consulting a car accident lawyer<\/a> might be a important step.<\/p>\n

10 AUTOMAKERS IMPLICATED<\/h2>\n

In a consumer class action lawsuit<\/strong>, ten automakers (with an estimated five million cars affected) have been cited for improperly designing their keyless systems, along with failing to include failsafe measures for cutting off the engine after a driver has exited the vehicle.<\/p>\n

The lawsuit alleges these automakers have known for years about the increased dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning<\/strong>, but have done little or nothing to correct the problem.<\/p>\n

The 10 companies, along with their keyless systems are:<\/p>\n