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Product Liability Law

Lawsuit calls keyless ignition system a deadly defect in millions of vehicles

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Two well-known trial law firms sued 10 automakers Wednesday in federal court in Los Angeles, contending that millions of vehicles equipped with keyless ignition systems pose a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Without an automatic shutoff, the electronic ignition systems can result in a car running indefinitely. In an enclosed area, such as a garage attached to a home, that can be deadly.

“Millions of American drivers are driving cars that have a defect that can kill them,” lead attorney Martis Alex of Labaton Sucharow told Scripps News. “We want that defect fixed. And the defect is, the keyless fob vehicles that don’t have an auto shut-off.”

Hagens Berman is serving as local counsel in the suit, which seeks class-action status.

CNNMoney and Reuters also have stories.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: “Suit Claims Keyless Ignition Is to Blame for Lawyer’s Death”