Routine Maintenance Leads to Water Damage and Mold Issues in Vehicle

Case Overview

This case involves a 2019 Ford Expedition Super Max that was brought into a dealership for routine maintenance service. Allegations state that after the vehicle was serviced, it was left outside for multiple days, during which two storms impacted the region. Consequently, water seeped into the vehicle, leading to mold damage and potentially affecting the vehicle's electronic dashboard. The plaintiff seeks an expert in automotive mechanics or engineering to disassemble the vehicle and assess the extent of the damage caused by the prolonged exposure to moisture.

Questions to the Automotive Mechanics expert and their responses

How often do you take apart vehicles, particularly the side panel of a vehicle to examine wiring and dashboard components?

I have taken apart trucks and cars for over 30 years.

Briefly, what factors would you consider when determining whether there was long term damage made to the vehicle?

Water damage can be a long-term failure; a lot of the time the corrosion and electronic damage do not present themselves until months or years later. Once water is in the truck, just the elevated humidity is sometimes enough to damage electronics.

About the expert

This expert has over 30 years of experience in the field of automotive mechanics. He earned his AS in auto repair from the New England Institute of Technology and is now certified as an ASE master heavy truck and automotive technician. This expert previously worked as an automotive technician at A+D Auto Repair, Ernie’s Auto Repair, Colony Ford Truck Center, and Imperial Chevrolet. He also served as an automotive instructor and education manager at Universal Technical Institute. In this capacity, he taught courses in the fields of automotive, diesel, and hydraulics systems and transport refrigeration. Currently, he serves as a claims adjuster for a national aftermarket warranty company in Texas.

E-420721

Specialties:

Automotive Mechanics

Celia Guo is the Vice President of Multidisciplinary Research at Expert Institute. With a background rooted in public policy and criminal justice, Celia brings a wealth of experience in data-driven legal analysis. Prior to joining The Expert Institute, she conducted research for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, focusing on drug diversion cases, and collaborated with the American Civil Liberties Union to analyze officer-involved shootings in Fresno, California. Her policy advocacy work also includes lobbying with the Drug Policy Alliance for the RISE Act, aimed at reforming sentencing enhancements for minor drug offenses.

Celia holds a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University and an M.P.P. from the University of Southern California. She combines her policy expertise with a passion for justice to lead a dynamic research team that supports litigation strategy across a wide range of practice areas.