Category Archives: Lemon Alert

Illuminated Airbag Warning Lamp – Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2012-2013 Chrysler 200, 2012-2013 Dodge Avenger and 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles for a problem affecting the occupant restraint controller (ORC). According to the defect report, electrical stress in the ORC could lead to an internal failure which will result in the inability to deploy active headrests during certain rear end crashes. If this happens, it may increase the risk of injury to front seat occupants.

Chrysler will ask owners to return to their dealers to have the ORC inspected and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the defect can contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA’s number for this recall is T56 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-640.

2015-2017 Maserati Quattroporte Stalling

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Maserati will be contacting the owners of certain 2015-2017 Quattroporte GTS vehicles equipped with a V8 3.8 liter engine due to an electrical problem affecting the fuel system. According to the defect report, a resistor in the low pressure fuel pump could fail as a result of cyle time and temperature fatigue. If the resistor fails, the low pressure pump will stop working, eventually stalling the vehicle. (The vehicles involved in these incidents average a mileage of around 19,500 when the failure occurred.)

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the fuel pump resistor cable assembly. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Maserati customer service at 1-201-510-2369. Maserati’s number for this recall is 359 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-610.

Audi A4, A5 & Q5 Susceptible To Auxiliary Heater Fires

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Volkswagen will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2016 Audi A4, A5 & Q5 vehicles regarding a problem affecting the electrical connector to the auxiliary heater. According to the defect report, the connector is susceptible to contact corrosion which may cause the auxiliary heater to fail and/or cause the wires to overheat and melt. The problem could result in an electrical fire.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the auxiliary heater replaced, as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s numbers for this recall are 80C5 and 80C6 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-622.

2017 Kia Sorento Engine Crankshaft Failure

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Kia will be asking the owners of certain 2017 Kia Sorento vehicles, equipped with 3.3L engines, to return to their dealerships to repair an improperly heat treated crankshaft. According to the defect report, an improperly heat treated crankshaft will produce a cyclic knocking noise from the engine that may result in the illumination of the engine warning lamp. If these warnings are ignored and the vehicle continues to be driven, the crankshaft could fail, the engine vehicle could stall and, under certain conditions, a fire may occur.

Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine sub assembly as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC153 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-586 .

Dodge Durango & Jeep Grand Cherokee – Illuminated Brake Warning Lamp

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Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2011-2014 Dodge Durangos and 2011-2014 Jeep Grand Chrokees to return to their dealership to inspect the brake booster shield installed under a previous recall (NHTSA 14V-154). Some of these vehicles may have an incorrectly installed shield that could allow water to enter the booster, possibly causing corrosion and limiting the vehicles braking ability. Possible warnings include illumination of the brake warning lamp, high brake pedal effort and/or activation of the anti-lock brake system module.

Dealers will inspect the brake booster shield and correct the installation as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T59 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-572.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq “Check Electric Vehicle System” Warning

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Hyundai will be contacting a small number of 2017 Hyundai Ioniq owners regarding a defect affecting the Electronic Power Control Unit (EPCU) in their car. According to the defect report, the housing for the EPCU may contain small voids that could allow coolant to enter and contact the control unit’s circuit board. If this happens, the board could short and stall the vehicle.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealership to have the EPCU inspected and replaced as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners may contact Hyundai Customer Service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 166 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-532.

2017-2018 Audi A3 Stalling

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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

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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.