Mingo woman sues Volvo for defective vehicles

CHARLESTON -- A Mingo County woman is suing Volvo Group North America for a defective vehicle that the defendant failed to be repaired.

On Nov. 19, 2008, Susan Van Zant purchased a 2009 Volvo XC90 from Smith Company Motor Car in South Charleston, according to a complaint filed May 17 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Van Zant claims since the purchase of the vehicle she has experienced problems with the car shutting down while traveling, causing the engine, steering and brakes to fail.

Van Zant claims she returned the vehicle on three separate occasions to have the problems repaired, but the defendant failed to make the repairs.

On July 20, 2009, Van Zant purchased a new 2009 Volvo XC90 from the same car dealership and traded the defective vehicle and was required to pay an additional $1,500, according to the suit.

The plaintiff claims the replacement vehicle was also defective and the defendant knew or should have known of the defects.

Van Zant is seeking replacement of the vehicle and associated costs incurred in the attempt to have the vehicle repaired. She is representing herself.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 10-C-899