Category Archives: Lemon Alert

2018 Hyundai Santa FE & Santa FE Sport Steering Problem

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Hyundai will be contacting owners of certain 2018 Santa FE midsize SUVs because of a problem affecting the steering system.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, temperature problems during the molding process could result in steering wheel hub assemblies with insufficient breakage strength. The steering wheel could completely separate from the steering column leaving the driver with no way of steering the vehicle.

Hyundai will be notifying owners to return to their dealers to have the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly inspected and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 173 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-118.

Ford Escape And Lincoln MKC Brake Fluid Leaks

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Ford is asking the owners of certain 2018 Ford Escape and 2018 Lincoln MKC vehicles to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the brakes. According to the defect report, incorrect front brake jounce hoses may have been installed and could contact adjacent components during normal driving conditions. This could result in premature wear of the hoses and a potential brake fluid leak. Loss of brake fluid will increase the distance needed to stop the vehicle. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through an illuminated brake fluid warning light.

Dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing incorrect ones as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S04 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-104.

Dodge Caravan – Jeep Wrangler Brake Warning

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Dodge Caravan and 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles because of a problem that could increase the chance of a crash. According to the NHTSA defect report, the brake switches in these automobiles are more likely to malfunction, causing the rear brake lamps to continuously illuminate and allowing the transmission to be shifted out of “Park” without the brake pedal being depressed.

Drivers will be alerted of a problem through a illuminated malfunction indicator lamp, an audible warning chime and brake lights that continuously illuminate.

Chrysler will be asking owners to return to their dealers to have the brake switches replaced. Owners who would like more information about the problem can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U09 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-098.

Takata Airbags – Phase III Recall

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As the NHTSA launches phase three of the Takata air bag recall, an additional 3.3 million inflators will be added to the list. Approximately 34 million vehicles are currently under recall for approximately 46 million defective Takata air bags that can explode when the air bag deploys. The phased recall, which began in May 2016 and is expected to continue through December 2019, will affect a total of 65-70 million airbags.

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2018 Nissan Versa Note – Air Bag Deployment Problem

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Nissan will be contacting a small number of 2018 Versa Note owners because their vehicles could fail to meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for side impact protection. According to the defect report, some vehicles may be equipped with an Autoliv side curtain air bag inflator that was manufactured out of specification. A component within the aribag could detach during deployment potentially causing injury to vehicle occupants.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Nissan dealership to have the side curtain air bags replaced. For more information about the problem owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V-837.

2018 Jeep Compass Loose Airbag Inflator Mount

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles regarding a manufacturing problem affecting the passenger air bag (PAB). According to the defect report, certain PAB inflator mounting nuts withing the module assembly may have not been sufficiently tightened and could become dangerous projectile during an airbag deployment.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealer to have the passenger airbag module assembly replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T73 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-732.

2018 Toyota C-HR EPB Malfunction Warning

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Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Toyota C-HR subcompact crossover SUVs regarding a problem affecting the electric parking brake (EPB). According to the defect report, an oxide film on the EPB motor could increase the circuit resistance and be incorrectly identified as an open circuit. The problem could result in the illumination of the EPB malfunction light and the inability to release the parking brake. In certain cases it may prevent the parking brake from being applied.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Toyota dealers to have the skid control ECU software updated. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0W and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-717.

2017 Ford F-150 Transmission Shift Lever Inaccurate Indication

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Ford will be asking the owners of certain 2017 F-150 trucks equipped with ten speed transmissions to return to their dealers for a problem affecting the shift lever. According to the defect report, the pin attaching the transmission shift linkage to the transmission could come out. If this happens, the transmission will be stuck in the gear it was in when the pin came out.

Drivers may experience loose or low effort feel of the shift lever and inaccurate gear indication. When exiting the vehicle, if the transmission is not in Park, the key can be removed, but a warning chime will sound and a message will be displayed in the instrument cluster indicating that the transmission is not in “Park”. If the transmission is not in the “Park” or the “Neutral” position, the driver will not be able to restart the vehicle.

Dealers will replace the roll pin with an updated part. Owners wanting more information about the recall are asked to contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 17S36 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-671.