Category Archives: Lemon Alert

2017-2018 Audi A3 Stalling

Posted on by

Volkswagen will be asking the owners of certain 2017-2018 Audi A3 vehicles to return to their dealerships to correct a problem affecting the engine control unit (ECU). According to the defect report, the engine air/fuel mixture software is not robust enough. During engine start up or idling, the system may misinterpret the rotation of the dual mass flywheel as a knocking condition. The defect will result in loss of lose motive power when beginning to move from a stop or during a slow acceleration. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through an “Engine Stop While Driving” warning light.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the ECU software. For more information about the recall, owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 24DF the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-508.

Mercedes-Benz ECO Start/Stop Mode Shut Down

Posted on by

Mercedes Benz has determined that certain 2016-2017 GLE43 & GLE43 Coupe vehicles may have engine control unit (ECU) software that is incompatible with the transmission control unit programming.

Rapid and consecutive downshifts during braking could result in the engine speed to drop below the required threshold and shut down. An engine shutdown could also result following a slight tap of the accelerator pedal after a combination of an ECO start and a simultaneous high engine load. The instrument cluster warning lamps will be activated upon engine shut down with and ignition “ON”, indicating to the driver that the vehicle is not in ECO start/stop mode and needs to be restarted manually.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the engine and transmission control unit software. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V-506.

Loss of Engine Power In GM Vehicles

Posted on by

General Motors have decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2017-2018 GMC and Chevy front wheel drive vehicles. According to the defect report, the drive shaft supplier’s quality check for metal hardening may have not been calibrated properly, limiting the likelihood of crack detection. If cracks exist, the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly could fracture and separate.

If the drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle could roll-away. The models affected include:

  • 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2017-2018 GMC Acadia
  • 2018 GMC Terrain

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 17329 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-516.

2017 Jeep Renegade Inaccurate Warning Indicator Lamps

Posted on by

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Jeep Renegades regarding a problem affecting the instrument panel warning lights on their vehicle. According to the defect report, an integrated circuit chip and software combination could result in one or more illuminated malfunction indicators when no malfunction exists. (The issue is more likely to occur when the fuel indicator is reading “Low”. ) If the malfunction indicator lamps illuminate at incorrect times, drivers may not be aware when a true malfunction occurs.

Dealers will correct the problem by updating the Instrument Panel Control software. Owners wanting more information about the issue can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T50 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-485.

2016 Toyota Avalon & Camry Hybrids – Front End Vibration

Posted on by

Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Avalon & Camry hybrids regarding a problem affecting their vehicles power-train. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the drive shaft may have been assembled incorrectly and the tripod joint snap ring could become dislocated. If this happens, drivers may experience front end vibrations, an inoperative parking brake and a loss of propulsion while driving.

Dealers will inspect the serial number of the vehicle’s drive shaft, replacing any that are affected. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0M and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-462.

2014 Silverado and 2014 Sierra Difficult Steering & Electrical Problems

Posted on by

General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2014 Chevy Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra trucks regarding a problem affecting their vehicles safety. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles could experience a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist during low speed turns. If power steering assist is lost, the driver may experience problems with the radio, stablilitrack, driver information center, chimes, door locks, air conditioning or cruise control.

Owners will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the EPS module software updated. For more information about the recall, owners can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-432-8782. GM’s number for this recall is 17276. and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-414.

2017 Honda CR-V Fuel Leak & Engine Stalls

Posted on by

Honda will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Honda CR-V’s regarding a manufacturing problem affecting the fuel system. An incorrect die may have been used to create the end form on the fuel feed pipe. The feed pipe may not attach properly to the feed hose and could disconnect when pressurized. A fuel leak could result in an engine stall and a risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the fuel supply pipe replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is KH1 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-442.

2011-2014 Chrysler Alternator Failure

Posted on by

Chrysler will be asking certain 2011-2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep owners to return to their dealerships to repair a problems affecting the electrical system. According to the defect report, vehicles equipped with electrohydraulic power steering could experience diode thermal fatigue in the alternator. The problem could result in a rapid failure of the alternator with little or no warning. Depending on the failure mode and timing, system voltage drops could disable systems such as the Antilock Brake System, Electronic Stability Control, Engine Control Module, Central Body Controller or result in a loss of vehicle power. Diodes failing through thermal fatigue may also develop a resistive short that could result in a fire.

The vehicles affected by this recall include:

Dealers will inspect the alternator part number and replacing it as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T36 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-435.