Category Archives: Lemon Alert

2021 Winnebago Revel – Loss Of Power Steering

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Winnebago Industries have identified a problem affecting the alternator and serpentine belt in certain 2021 Revel motorhomes.

According to the defect report, a misalignment of pulleys associated with the installation of the auxiliary alternator could cause the alternator belt to wear and become completely disengaged. If this happens, the engine serpentine belt could also become disengaged and result in immediate loss of power steering control and other belt controlled components. This loss of power steering changes the expected handling of the vehicle and can increase the chances of an accident. Drivers may experience a flapping sound prior to disengagement of the belt.

Dealers will inspect the alignment of the belt pulleys and repair problems as necessary. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 162 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-474.

Jeep Grand Cherokee / RAM 1500 Engine Stall

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Some 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2014-2018 RAM 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines may have been manufactured with crankshaft tone wheels that could experience magnetic signal material delamination.

The magnetic material attached to the tone wheel provides a signal to the crankshaft position sensor. If this material delaminates, the engine will lose its ability to synchronize injector pulses and cam timing. Loss of crankshaft position can result in an engine stall and the inability to restart. The problem can occur without prior warning.

The remedy for this condition is not currently available. Dealers will stop the engine from stalling by updating the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion by reading the camshaft position signal in the event that the crankshaft position signal is lost. If tone wheel failure occurs, the engine warning light will illuminate but the vehicle will not stall.

The recall to update the powertrain control module software is expected to begin in October. FCA’s number for this recall is W58 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-475.

2020 Ford F-150 Grinding Noise When Engine Starts

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Ford will be contacting a small number of 2020 Ford F-150 owners because of a problem with the electrical system in their trucks. According to the safety report filed with the NHTSA, the affected vehicles were built at their Kansas City assembly plant June 30, 2020 and July 1, 2020.

These trucks may have been built with a positive power supply cable nut that does not meet design specifications. These nuts do not have the correct torque characteristics or conductive coating needed at the power supply attachment to the starter motor. This could increase the amount of heat generated during starting and could create an electrical arch that could start a fire. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through grinding noises when starting or restarting during a stop-start event, or the engine may not start at all.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the starter motor B+ power supply attachment nut replaced with the correct part. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S40 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-467.

GM Roof Rail Airbag Defect

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General Motors had decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2020 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs. GM will be contacting owners of affected vehicles with instructions to return to their dealerships for repairs.

According to the recall report, the diffuser component of the roof rail airbag inflator may have an improper crimp that would allow it to separate from the inflator during airbag deployment. If this happens, the performance of the airbag may be degraded and could increase the risk of injury to occupants in an accident.

Vehicles Affected
2020 Buick Enclave
2020 Cadillac XT5
2020 Cadillac XT6
2020 Chevrolet Blazer
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2020 Chevrolet Traverse
2020 GMC Acadia
2020 GMC Sierra 1500
2020 GMC Sierra 2500
2020 GMC Sierra 3500

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect roof rail airbag modules. GM’s number for this recall is N202305380 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-446.

2020 Kia Stinger Difficult Steering

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A small number of 2020 Kia Stinger owners will be returning to their dealerships to fix a problem affecting steering. The vehicles involved are equipped with 2.0L Turbo-GDI engines.

According to the safety report, a machine calibration issue may have resulted in an insufficient number of balls used within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Assembly . Over time, the balls could become fatigued and fracture, allowing pieces to get stuck in the steering rack. If this happens drivers will notice difficulty steering or a complete loss of steering.

Kia dealers will correct the problem by replacing the MDPS Assembly. Kia’s number for this recall is SC193 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V422.

Mitsubishi Outlander Seat Belt Safety Problem

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A seat belt safety problem will have approximately 177,000, 2014-2019 Outlander and 2018-2019 Outlander PHEV owners returning to their dealerships for repairs. This recall is expected to begin in September.

According to the defect report, the seat belt buckle cover on the second row seat can become damaged when folding the left hand side seat back. If this happens the latch may become inoperative and may not be able to engage the seat belt tongue. Occupants sitting in this position will be unprotected.

Mitsubishi dealers will correct the problem by modifying the second row center seat belt buckle cover. They will install a new warning label to the second-row seat support base and provide a new warning label insert for the owner’s manual. Mitsubishi’s number for this recall is SR-20-004 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-403.

Lincoln MKX And Lincoln Nautilus Seat Wiring Damage

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Ford Motor Company will be asking the owners of certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Lincoln Nautilus SUVs, to return to their dealership to fix a wiring problem that could affect the air bags. These vehicles are equipped with 16 way electric tilt seats.

According to the safety report, the seats in these vehicles may have a wiring harness that was not properly protected from the edge of the seat cushion frame. When the tilt function is used, it is possible that the wires could become damaged and, as a result, the airbag system may not function as intended.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem, but they will be asking owners to return to their dealerships to have the wire harness inspected and replaced as necessary. Also, a protective flocking tape will be installed onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S37 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-414.

Range Rover Doors Could Unexpectedly Open

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Jaguar Land Rover North America have identified a concern related to safety affecting certain 2013-2016 Land Rover Range Rover and 2014-2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport models. These vehicles were previously repaired under NHTSA recall 19V-392, where drivers were given no indication of an unlatched door condition.

In this recall, customers say they continue to experience unlatched doors with no indication despite having the problem previously repaired. In one instance, there were reports of the door opening while the vehicles was still in motion.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the system tested and repaired. The recall is expected to begin August 28, 2020. Land Rover’s number for this recall is N476 and the NHTSA campaign number is.20V-387.