In response to the NHTSA pushing congress to change rules that will force car rental companies and used car dealerships to fix recalls, California car dealers have come up with their own version of a fix they say will protect consumers. The organization is proposing a state bill that would require 100% disclosure of recalls for used car sales. Dealerships would be obligated to tell you about all defects and where you can go to get it fixed, same line dealerships would have to make repairs before they could sell a recalled car, and serious recalls, as defined by manufacturers, would have to be fixed no matter which type of dealership is selling it. Continue reading
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2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV Loss Of Drive Power
After three field reports and eight warranty claims, Toyota has decided to ask owners of certain 2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV’s to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the hybrid propulsion system. Due to a software issue, the drive inverter electronic control unit may not be able to determine the rotational position of the motor. This will cause a speed sensor error code which will trigger a “Check EV System” warning message on the instrument panel, turn on the malfunction indicator lamp, and cause the electric motor to shift into “neutral”. This complete loss of drive power may increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading
Toyota Electric Power Steering Failure
Certain Toyota Camry, Highlander, and RAV4 vehicles equipped with an electric power steering (EPS) System could experience loss of steering assist due to a manufacturing error. According to reports, a resistor on the EPS electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, resistance may become high enough for the ECU to detect an abnormal current in the circuit. The problem may result in an illumining instrument panel warning light and the vehicle entering fail safe mode, suspending power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist results in increased steering effort during low speeds, increasing the risk of an accident. Continue reading
2014 BMW 550i CA Lemon Law Buyback
The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. were contacted by a 2014 BMW 550i owner who had leased her car in September 2013. On October 10, 2013 she was returning to her dealership for a first repair attempt and by November 25, 2013 had provided BMW three (3) additional attempts to repair defects. Her car had been out of service for over 37 days, but the problems were still not fixed. Suspecting her BMW was a lemon, she decided to contact our law offices for advice. Continue reading
NHTSA wants Congress To Decide On Recalled Auto Safety
Once again, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and elected officials are pushing congress to pass laws that require car rental companies and used car dealerships to fix recalls before vehicles can be rented or sold. Under current federal law, rental companies and used car dealers are not required to fix a defect, or even tell you that there is a problem, before you drive a vehicle off their lot. This lack of regulation puts drivers at risk and has lead to fatal crashes. Continue reading
2014-2015 BMW X5 Airbag Problem
A small number of 2014-2015 BMW X5 owners will be returning to their dealerships to repair a safety problem with the Head Protection System (HPS). According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the connection between the HPS air bag and the gas generator may have been manufactured out of specification. This can cause insufficient inflation and an increased risk of injury during an accident. Continue reading
2015 Mercedes Benz C300 & C400 Fuel System Defects
Mercedes Benz will be notifying owners of certain 2015 C300 & C400 cars, about a problem affecting the fuel delivery system.
- The subject vehicles may have a fuel delivery module that was not properly attached to the fuel tank. The module could become loose over time resulting in a fuel leak and an increased risk of fire.
- Secondly, the electrical wires going to the fuel delivery module may have been pinched between the flange of the module and the tank. The fuel pump may stop working, resulting in a stall and an increased chance of an accident.
GM Loss Of Electric Power Steering Assist
General Motors will be notifying owners of certain 2015 Buick Encore and 2015 Chevrolet Trax crossover vehicles about an electrical defect affecting the steering system. According to reports, these vehicles may have been manufactured with a steering column assembly housing that could contact the power steering printed circuit board. The circuit board could wear resulting in a sudden loss of electric power steering assist. Continue reading
