Category Archives: Lemon Alert

Chevy Silverado And GMC Sierra Roof Rail Air Bag Could Rupture

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In mid-June 2021 General Motors became aware of roof rail airbag (RRAB) inflator ruptures in three 2015 model year Silverado vehicles while the vehicle was unoccupied and not in use. In all three incidents, the steel inflator body sidewall split open, suddenly releasing the gas stored inside the chamber. GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority have decided to conduct a safety recall.

According to the defect report, The RRAB inflators on the left and right side roof rails may contain a manufacturing defect that could result in inflator end cap separation or inflator sidewall split. If this happens, the compressed gas will escape from the inflator and the end cap or other components can be propelled into the vehicle, potentially injuring occupants.

The Cause Of The Problem: Corrosion inside the inflator vessel, which was caused by moisture introduced into the vessel during the supplier’s manufacturing process and aggravated by
thermal cycling in high-temperature climate regions

Vehicles Affected Include
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM’s number for this recall is N202324251 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-504.

Chevrolet Silverado And GMC Sierra 2500/3500 – Potential Engine Fire

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General Motors have identified a problem affecting certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 trucks manufactured with the Duramax diesel 6.6 litre engine and the optional block-heater power cable.

Contamination of the sealing surface of the block-heater heater element can allow a coolant leak to develop. If leaking coolant contacts the block heater cable terminals while the cable is plugged into an energy source a short could occur.

In February 2021, a GM quality manager submitted a report to GM’s Speak Up For Safety program after inspecting an engine-block heater recovered from a 2019 model year Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The owner reported sparking from under the hood after the engine block heater was plugged in. The block heater was leaking coolant, and the engineer observed thermal damage at the connection between the heater and the block heater power cable. This vehicle had previously been fixed for this condition under NHTSA recall 19V-328.

Further investigation identified nineteen potential fires involving engine-block heaters in vehicles remedied under 19V-328. Based on this data, GM opened a formal product investigation and found 122 complaints and 24 reports of potential fires between December 3, 2019 and May 28, 2021 involving vehicles that received the recall remedy under 19V-328. Based on this data GM decided to conduct a safety recall on these vehicles.

Vehicles Affected Include
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500
2017-2019 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will disable the block heater. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. GM’s number for this recall is 212329840 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-496.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave Front Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave SUVs, about a problem that could result in the front air bag not deploying properly. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out beginning of August 2021.

According to the defect report, during a weekly service programming system (SPS) audit, it was discovered that a small number of 2021 Chevy and Buick models may have been manufactured with the incorrect sensing diagnostic module (SDM) data calibration. The data files were corrected in the SPS system and the problem was reported to GM’s safety program. Their investigation found a small number of 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave vehicles may have received the same incorrect data and decided to conduct a safety recall.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of affected vehicles with instructions to update the calibration software in the SDM. GM’s number for this recall is N212340220 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-472

Nissan And Infiniti Steering Off Center And Tires Misaligned

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In October 2020 Nissan became aware of a problem with certain front steering knuckles and rear axle housing manufactured at their Yokohama, Japan Plant. Nissan conducted a plant audit and determined that a gap in a particular furnace door caused low temperature conditions during the heat treating process. Axle components located in the low temperature area of the furnace experienced an insufficient amount of heat which resulted in poor hardness. These components have been installed on certain 2020-2021 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles.

If the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing receives an impact such as hitting a curb, the steering knuckle or rear axle housing could deform. If the steering knuckle is deformed, the steering wheel may become off-center, impairing the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle. If the rear axle housing is deformed, it will cause wheel mis-alignment.

If the deformation is not detected and the vehicle continues to be operated, the damaged steering knuckle or rear axle housing may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle.

Vehicles Affected Include
2020 Nissan Murano
2021 Nisssn GT-R
2020 Infiniti QX60
2021 Infiniti QX50
2021 Infiniti Q50

Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary. The NHTSA recall campaign number is 21V-402.

Nissan Armada & Infiniti QX80 Engine Stall

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Owners of certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 Infiniti QX80 SUVs equipped with V8 engines could experience a fuel system problem that could result in an unexpected engine stall. Nissan learned of a potential issue on these vehicles in June 2020 and initiated an investigation which has lead to the recall of approximately 24,000 vehicles.

According to the defect report, the fuel pump module was not designed to manufacturer specifications and could fail. During the impeller manufacturing process, a buildup of molten plastic on the injection moulding machine cylinder tip could cause the density of the impeller to be out of specification. Fuel inside the fuel pump can cause the impeller to swell, increasing friction between the impeller and inlet cover. Eventually the fuel pump will bind internally and the engine will stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to the dealers to have the fuel pump module replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is R21A2, Infiniti’s number for this recall is R21A3 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-373.

2021 Jeep Cherokee Transmission Leak

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transmission hose leakIn March 2021, Chrysler / FCA USA Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance (VSRC) organization received information about a potential trend in engine fires in certain Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.

The investigation found the problem to be that certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee SUVs were manufactured with transmission oil cooler (TOC) hoses with rubber that had been incorrectly cured. The suspect period began on January 19, 2021 and ended on March 8, 2021, when all suspect TOC hoses were removed from vehicle production.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, incorrectly cured rubber could allow the hose to weaken and rupture. Transmission fluid leaking from the ruptured hose could contact an ignition source and lead to a vehicle fire. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury to occupants, persons outside the vehicle and could result in property damage.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the TOC hoses inspected and replaced as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is Y18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-310.

2017 Jeep Patriot
California Lemon Law Buyback

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Our client was very happy to buy her 2017 Jeep Patriot.

Her first visit to the authorized dealership was on July 31, 2017. She had multiple concerns that she shared with her service advisor. The tire light was on but all pressures were fine. The passenger front window would not go up with the driver side switch. There was also a problem in that the vehicle would only run for a few minutes when started with the remote.

The next visit was on November 10th because the check engine light was on.

Her last visit was December 6 and her Jeep Patriot was in the shop for 29 days as the check engine light was on again.

She contacted us in January and spoke with Barry L. Edzant, a California Lemon Law Attorney Specialist. He asked her to send our office some documents for him to review. After his review and consultation the client decided she wanted Barry to represent her.

A letter was submitted to FCA, USA demanding they buy back her vehicle under the California Lemon Law. FCA agreed to do so and reimbursed our client her down payment, all payments made, her registration, paid off the vehicle loan minus a mileage deduction the manufacturer is entitled to under the Lemon Law. They also paid the attorney fees. Needless to say our client was thrilled.

If you think your vehicle might be a lemon please give our office a cal and speak with Barry L. Edzant. The toll free phone number is 888-395-3666. Find out your rights under the California Lemon Law.

Unsecured Side Curtain Air Bags Found In GM Vehicles

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General Motors has decided that a safety defect affecting airbags exists in certain 2010-2015 and 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles.

According to the defect report, in October 2020, a third-party vehicle repair business contacted GM requesting repair assistance on a 2018 Buick Enclave. After removing the headliner to attempt to repair a sunroof water leak, the repair shop identified two fasteners that were not installed and one missing weld nut attaching the roof-rail airbag (RRAB) to the vehicle. Further investigation found that certain stampings associated with the connection of the roof rail airbag to the vehicles had damaged, out of position or missing weld nuts. Although the problem was identified during vehicle assembly, the repairs may have been missed or preformed incorrectly.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts GM’s number for this recall is N202321200 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V246.