A lawsuit against automaker Nissan alleges the floorboards in certain models are defective and rust all the way through, exposing the road beneath.
Marie Demaria filed the lawsuit on April 14 against Nissan, alleging the company didn't tell consumers about the defective floorboards in the Nissan Altima from model years 2002-2006.
The lawsuit said the floorboards can't withstand exposure to weather elements and don't drain properly, which causes them to rust and deteriorate.
At least one accident with injuries has occurred as a result of the floorboard defect, and “hundreds of drivers have told Nissan and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that they feel unsafe driving,” the lawsuit said.
New floorboards can cost several thousand dollars, and Nissan has refused to acknowledge that the floorboards are defective, the lawsuit said.
The plaintiff seeks class-action status for all those who purchased the Altima vehicles in Illinois. Demaria said she believes the damages exceed $5 million and is also asking for court costs.
She is represented by Edward A. Wallace, Amy E. Keller and Adam Prom of Wexler Wallace, LLP, in Chicago; John A. Yanchunis of Morgan & Morgan in Tampa, Florida; Gregory F. Coleman, Mark E. Silvey and Lisa A. White of Greg Coleman Law, PC, in Knoxville, Tennessee; and Eric H. Gibbs and Dylan Hughes of Gibbs Law Group, LLP, in Oakland, California.
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, case number 1:15-cv-03321.