Disabled Man Says Dealer Sold Him Deadly Car
A disabled man claims that after taking the vehicle back to Marietta Auto Mall Center to have an oil leak fixed, the car he bought started smoking and burst into flames two miles down the road.
COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A disabled man alleged a car he purchased “as is” from Marietta Auto Mall Center nearly killed him when it burst into flames. He said the vehicle’s check engine light was on when he bought it, CBS Atlanta reports.
Jasen Erickson, who is paraplegic and uses a wheelchair, said he took the 2005 Mazda 3S back to the dealership when he noticed an oil leak. After several attempts by the dealer to fix the problem, Erickson and his girlfriend drove away in the vehicle, which started smoking two miles down the road. The couple pulled into a gas station and exited the vehicle, which became engulfed in flames.
Erickson was reimbursed for most of the damage by his insurance, but he was still down $2,000 from the initial $10,000 purchase price.
To read the full story, click here.
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Dealer Ops

Dealer Debrief: Improving Your Inventory Management
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a new survey that shows what service technicians really want and two launches that could help improve your inventory and vehicle life cycle management.
Read More →
Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
What Market Timing Mistakes Mean for Your Reinsurance Program
When volatility hits, dealer-owned reinsurance programs face a familiar temptation: pull back and wait for calmer waters. New data from BOK Financial shows why that instinct can quietly cost you years of surplus growth.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →