Category Archives: Lemon Alert

2020 Audi Q8 Transmission Fluid Leak

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Volkswagen will be contacting owners of certain 2020 Audi Q8 SUVs, regarding a potential problem affecting the transmission in their vehicle.

Due to a manufacturing error, the flanges of certain gearbox oil pipes were made from an uncertified material. Because of this difference in material, a permanent connection could not be created during the welding process and a transmission fluid leak could develop between the transmission oil pipe and the flange. A loss of transmission fluid will result in oil marks on the ground beneath the vehicle and a warning lamp indicator, once the fluid goes beneath a certain level.

Dealers will correct the problem by inspecting the transmission oil pipe welds and replacing it as necessary. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 38C7 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-272.

Ford Pre-Collision Assist Will Not Enable

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Ford had decided that a problem affecting the collision avoidance system exists in certain 2020 Ford Expedition and 2020 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The condition affects models equipped with the standard camera-only pre-collision assist built within a certain time period. Vehicles with optional radar plus camera pre-collision assist systems are not affected.

According to the defect report, the affected vehicles are equipped with pre-collision assist features that are not functional. This includes: Forward Collision Warning, Dynamic Brake Support and Automatic Emergency Braking. There is no warning to the driver that these features are not functional, increasing the risk and severity of a frontal collision.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the software affecting the Body Control Module, Anti-lock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster, Headlamp Control Modules and reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S20 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-262.

2019 Subaru Stalls And Won’t Start

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Subaru will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 model cars and SUVs because of a problem affecting the fuel system in their vehicles.

According to the defect report, the fuel pump in these vehicles may have an impeller that was manufactured with a density that does not meet the manufacturer standards. If the impeller is exposed to solvent drying for extended periods of time, it could develop cracks that would lead to excessive fuel absorption. Over time the impeller could deform and interfere with the body of the fuel pump. If the fuel pump stops working, the check engine warning will illuminate, the engine will run roughly and could stall without the ability to restart.

Vehicles Affected
2019 Subaru Ascent
2019 Subaru Impreza
2019 Subaru Legacy
2019 Subaru Outback

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the low pressure fuel pump. Subaru’s number for this recall is WRD-20 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-218.

2020 Toyota Corolla Backup Lights Stop Working

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Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2020 Corolla vehicles because of an electrical problem that could cause the backup lights to fail.

The vehicles affected are equipped with a rear hatch that contains a wire harness for rear end electrical components. During the inspection process, damaged testing equipment may have caused the contact gaps of the wire harness connector to increase. Lower contact pressure inside the connector increases the chances of an oxide layer developing on the surface of certain terminals. Over time the electrical resistance could increase, resulting in loss of backup lamps. If the lamps do not illuminate when the vehicle is backing, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Those receiving notices can return to their dealerships to have the rear hatch wire harness replaced. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 20TB07 and 20TA07 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-205.

Inaccurate Transmission Indication

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Ford has determined that a potential safety defect exist in certain 2020 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Ranger trucks equipped with 10 speed automatic transmissions.

According to the defect report, some vehicles may have been manufactured with a gear shift cable lock that may not be fully seated. The partially seated clip could allow the transmission to slip and show a different gear than the transmission is in. This could result in “shifter mismatch”, “shifter inoperative”, “shifter stuck in park” or “no start” symptoms. Drivers may be able to shift into “Park” and remove the key while the transmission may not actually be in “Park”. The instrument panel display will continue to show the correct transmission gear state.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their Ford dealerships to have the shifting lock clip inspected and replaced as necessary. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-197.

Jeep Grand Cherokee & Dodge Durango Loss Of Power

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2019 Dodge Durango vehicles because of a problem affecting the powertrain of their vehicles.

According to the defect report, the front differential may have been built with pinion gears that were not sufficiently hardened. Over time the gears could wear down until torque power cannot be transferred from the drivetrain to the front wheels. If this happens drivers will experience loss of power and loss of the “Park” function when stationary. Prior to loss of power, drivers may notice a gear whine or grinding noise coming from the drivetrain

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the front differential replaced. This recall is expected to begin May 15, 2020. Chrysler’s number for this recall is W22 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-183.

Takata Airbag Recall – Nissan

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Nissan will be contacting the owners of certain 2012-2017 Nissan and Infiniti trucks and vans because of a defect with the drivers airbag in their vehicles. The problem affects PSDI-5D air bag inflators manufactured at the Takata plant in Mexico

According to the defect report, overloading of the driver front air bag inflator propellant could result in an over pressurized airbag deployment. The problem could cause the airbag inflator to rupture and propel metal fragments throughout the vehicle, possibly causing injury or death to occupants.

Vehicles Affected
2011-2012 Infiniti QX56
2013-2015 Nisssan Armada
2012-2017 Nisssan NV
2013-2015 Nisssan Titan

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Nissan or Infiniti dealer to have the driver airbag replaced. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 20V-188.

Click here to view the complete recall notice.

2020 Toyota Highlander Engine Stall

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Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engines that contain the Stop & Start Engine System that monitors your brake pedal operation to stop your engine when the vehicle is stopped.

The vehicles involved contain an engine control unit (ECU) programming error that may not correctly supply fuel to the engine when this feature is activated. The problem could result in an unexpected stall followed by an audible chime and multiple warnings indicating the engine has stalled.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the ECU. Toyota’s number for this recall is 20TA06 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V162.

Click here to view the complete 2020 Toyota Highlander recall notice.