Category Archives: Lemon Alert

Chrysler Cruise Control May Not Disengage

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2014-2016 Chrysler 300, 2014-2016, 2018 Dodge Challenger and 2014-2016 Dodge Charger cars regarding a problem affecting the cruise control system.

According to the defect report, the Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance Packages Powertrain Control Modules (PCM) and Demon Crate PCM in these vehicles could have a defect that may prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If there is a short circuit within the vehicle’s wiring while the cruise control is being used, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off . During a short, the driver may be alerted through multiple warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. If the vehicle continues to maintain speed or start to accelerate, the driver should shift to neutral and/or use the brakes to slow the vehicle and bring it to a stop.

Dealers will correct the problem by performing a software update and replacing the PCM as needed. For more information about the problem, owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U82/U83 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18E-053.

2018 VW Tiguan Rear Suspension Noises

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Volkswagen will be asking the owners of certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles, to return to their dealership to have their rear shock absorbers inspected.

According to the defect report, a mechanical misalignment of the arc welder torch used to fasten the loop to the base assembly, could result in a weak weld between the two parts. If these welds break and the parts separate while the vehicle is operated, drivers could unexpectedly lose control.

Owners experiencing unfamiliar noises coming from the rear suspension of their 2018 VW Tiguan vehicles are asked to return to their dealerships immediately to have the rear shock absorbers inspected and replaced as necessary.

For more information contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 42i7 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-262.

Hyundai & Kia Hybrid – Clutch Actuator Leak

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The Hyundai Motor group will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Hyundai Ioniq and 2017 Kia Niro hybrids regarding a problem affecting the propulsion system.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the subject vehicles may be equipped with a hydraulic clutch actuator with burrs along the inner housing. Over time, these burrs could cause damage to the inner oil seal and allow oil to accumulate in the phase cap area. This accumulation could result an electrical short and an increased risk of fire. If a short exists, drivers will be alerted through an illuminated HEV warning light.

Dealers will inspect the HCA caps for leaked oil and replace the HCA assembly as needed. For more information: Hyundai owners can call 1-855-371-9460. (Hyundai’s recall number is 176 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-260.) Kia owners can call 1-800-333-4542. (Kia’s recall number is SC163 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-257.)

2018 Buick Regal Seat Belt Safety

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General Motors will be contacting certain 2018 Buick Regal owners regarding a problem affecting the safety of the seat belts in their sedans. According to the defect report, the rear outboard seat belts may have been improperly routed around the rear seat bolster bracket during manufacturing. This improper routing could result in inadequate restraint to passengers during extreme loading conditions and an increased risk of injury to occupants.

Owners will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the rear outboard seat belt routing inspected and rerouted as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM’s number for this recall is 18117 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-230. (It is expected that fewer than 1% of the vehicle population have incorrectly routed seat belts.)

2018 Toyota Camry Engine Runs Rough

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Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Toyota Camry cars regarding a problem affecting the engine and its cooling. The subject vehicles are equipped with 2.5L, 4 cylinder A25A-FKS engines.

According to the defect report, a manufacturing error has resulted in pistons being produced with a diameter larger than specified. Engines assembled with these pistons may cause the vehicle to run rough, create an abnormal sound, emit smoke from the exhaust, and/or illuminate an engine warning light. Drivers may notice a reduction in power and a stalling engine.

Toyota will ask owners to return to their dealers to have the production date codes of the pistons checked and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information can contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota’s number for this recall is J1M/J0M and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-200.

2017 Jeep Renegade Defective Oil Pump / Balance Shaft Module

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Chrysler will be asking a small number of 2017 Jeep Renegade owners to return to their dealers because their vehicles are suspect to have a defective oil pump / balance shaft module (BSM). According to the defect report, these vehicles may have been manufactured with a cracked oil pump housing that could propagate throughout the housing and cause the oil pump to fail. Drivers will receive no warning of a problem except that the engine may not run optimally just prior to an engine stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the oil pump inspected for its production information and replace the BSM as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-131.

2017-2018 Mercedes Benz Coupe Seat Safety Defect

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Mercedes Benz will be contacting the owners of certain 2017-2018 Coupe vehicles regarding a problem affecting vehicle safety. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, a production deviation at the supplier has resulted in front seat back locks that to not lock properly. Unsecured objects in the rear seats might not be held back during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

The vehicles affected include:

  • 2017-2018 C300
  • 2017-2018 C43 AMG
  • 2017 C63 AMG
  • 2017-2018 C63S AMG
  • 2018 E400

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the seat back locks inspected and replaced as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners can contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 18V-207.

VW Takata Airbag Recall

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Volkswagen will be contacting the owners of certain later model VW cars, regarding airbags affected by phase three of the Takata airbag recall. The vehicles involved include:

  • 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC
  • 2010-2011 Volkswagen EOS
  • 2010-2014 Volkswagen Golf
  • 2007-2010 Volkswagen Passat
  • 2007-2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon

As reported by Takata, due to high temperatures and humidity, airbag propellant could degrade over time and cause the airbags to deploy with too much force. In the event of an airbag rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, seriously injuring or killing occupants.

Those receiving notices will be instructed to return to their dealers to have the driver’s frontal air bag inflator replaced. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 69Q9 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-148. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.