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Eleventh Death Tied To Takata Airbags Confirmed By NHTSA

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The Department of Transportation continues to ask for the news media and public’s assistance to find vehicles with unrepaired Takata airbags, after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed a crash fatality in Riverside County, California is tied to a rupture of a recalled Takata air bag inflator.

The victim died after suffering injuries in a crash on Friday, Sept. 30. The vehicle involved was a 2001 Honda Civic first recalled in 2008. Records show that the recall repair was never completed. The vehicle is included in a list of Honda and Acura vehicles which have been identified as being a substantially higher risk. These airbag inflators in these vehicles have a manufacturing defect which increases the potential for a dangerous rupture upon deployment. These ruptures are more likely to happen in vehicles that have spent significant periods of time in areas of high humidity such as Florida, Texas, parts of the Gulf Coast and Southern California. These vehicles show rupture rates as high as fifty percent in a laboratory setting.

The higher-risk inflators are in the following 2001-2003 Honda and Acura vehicles:

  • 2001-002 Honda Civic
  • 2001-2002 Honda Accord
  • 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL
  • 2002 Honda CR-V
  • 2002 Honda Odyssey
  • 2003 Acura 3.2CL
  • 2003 Honda Pilot

Ford Escape & Mercury Mariner Fuel Smell & Leaks

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Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2010-2012 Ford Escape and 2010-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles regarding a problem that could result in a vehicle fire. On certain vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) could develop cracks in the fuel supply port. A fuel leak from the FDM may cause fuel odor or visible fuel on the ground under the fuel tank. Field data shows that vehicles in states with higher ambient temperatures are more likely to experience this problem.

Dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S41 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-777.

2017 Mercedes Benz E300 Inaccurate Fuel Gauge & Stalling Engines

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Daimler AG has determined that certain 2017 Mercedes Benz E300 vehicles may have a defect affecting the fuel system wiring. They will be asking owners to return to their dealership for repairs. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the rear seat bench frame could rub against the fuel system control unit wiring. If the wiring harness is damaged, the fuel pump, fuel tank pressure sensor or the fuel gauge could fail.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the fuel system control unit wiring route modified and repair any damaged wires as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-758.

Subaru Check Engine Light Due To Defective Relay

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Subaru will be contacting the owners of certain Forester, Impreza, Legacy and Outback vehicles regarding a problem affecting the electrical system. According to the defect report, an inappropriate manufacturing process of the secondary air injection pump relay could allow the the pump to continuously operate and overheat. Drivers may notice an illuminated check engine light and could experience a possible fire. Continue reading →

Dodge & RAM Reduced Charging & Engine Stalls

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Chrysler will be contacting owners of certain Dodge Charger Police cars and RAM trucks regarding a problem affecting the electrical system. The affected vehicles could experience premature thermal fatigue of the silicon rubber diodes in the alternator. The diodes could develop a short which could result in the failure of the vehicle charging system and a risk of engine stalls and/or a vehicle fire. Drivers may experience a reduction in vehicle charging and/or a low battery indicator warning.

The vehicles affected include:

Continue reading →

2013 Chevy Cruze Ca Lemon Law Buyback For Repeated Defects

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After repeated complaints and ten (10) unsuccessful repair attempts, the owner of a 2013 Chevrolet Cruze contacted our law offices for advice. A review of the repair orders showed that the vehicle suffered from a number of defects. The engine would run rough, stall, and overheat; the service engine soon was always illuminated; the instrument cluster would give inaccurate readings; and the air conditioning was defective. After reviewing the purchase contract, we determined the Cruze owner had a valid claim to have her vehicle repurchased.

Immediately after retaining our services, we filed our demand for GM to repurchase the defective 2013 Chevrolet Cruze. GM agreed to buy back the vehicle, pay off the balance of the purchase and reimburse our client for her down payment, monthly payments, and all attorney fees. GM was allowed to deduct a small mileage fee as allowed under the California Lemon Law. Continue reading →

2016 Honda Civic Brake Warning Indicator Blinks

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Honda will be asking owners of certain 2016 Honda Civic two and four door cars equipped with 1.5L or 2.0L engines, to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the parking brake. According to the defect report, the stability assist electronic control unit software could prevent the electric parking brake from engaging immediately after turning the ignition off. The vehicle could unexpectedly roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. If the parking brake cannot be applied, the brake warning indicator will blink on the instrument panel for 15 seconds to alert the driver.

Dealers will update the vehicle’s software to allow the braking software to engage immediately after the ignition is turned off. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is KC6 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-725.

2017 Subaru Legacy & Outback Safety Restraint Defect

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A small number of 2017 Subaru Legacy and 2017 Subaru Outback owners will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the safety restraint system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the knee guard bracket may have been misaligned with the steering beam at the time of welding. If the bracket has not been properly attached, the knee guard may not restrain the occupant under certain conditions.

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the knee guard welding, replacing the beam as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru’s number for this recall is WTL-72 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-716.