Maserati Headlight Defect Leads to 10,000-Car Recall

Maserati is recalling about 10,000 new cars in the U.S. due to a defect that could cause serious issues, especially when the vehicles are on the road at night.

The cars’ headlights could slip out of alignment, the Italian luxury manufacturer told federal safety regulators. That can seriously reduce drivers’ visibility, Maserati said.

The “vehicles may have been built with access to the horizontal headlamp aim adjustment mechanism,” the company said in a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “If headlamp aim is improperly adjusted it may reduce forward visibility for the driver and create glare for oncoming vehicle drivers, which may cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.”

The recall covers certain vehicles in the following model years:

• 2023-2025 Maserati Grecale
• 2024-2025 Maserati Grancabrio
• 2024-2025 Maserati Granturismo

Maserati said it opened an internal investigation after becoming aware of a possible problem in May. 

The automaker told NHTSA it planned to notify owners of recalled vehicles by mail by the end of October. Owners can also check the NHTSA website to see if their cars are included in the recall.

Maserati is asking owners of recalled cars to bring their vehicles to authorized service providers for inspection and repair, free of charge. “Maserati North America will conduct a voluntary safety recall on all affected vehicles to inspect and, if necessary, install one or two caps (based on the headlamp type) to cover the horizontal headlamp aim adjustment mechanism,” it said.

How the California Lemon Law Works for Maserati Drivers

The new recall shows that even high-end carmakers are not immune to production and design defects. It is not the only safety issue facing Maserati and people who drive its cars.

The company earlier this year called back 27,000 cars over faulty rearview cameras, for instance. It said at the time that the defect increased the risk of crashes. 

Fortunately, Maserati owners in the Golden State have strong rights and protections under the California lemon law.

The lemon law forces carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some situations) vehicles that they cannot or simply refuse to fix.

The buyback requirement includes compensation for the owner's down payment on the vehicle, monthly loan payments, and the outstanding balance on the loan. The automaker is also responsible for towing, rental car, and other related expenses. 

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts required before the buyback or replacement requirement applies. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a San Diego Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a San Diego lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a San Diego lemon law attorney.