Category Archives: Lemon Alert

2014 Chevrolet Traverse Repurchased For Safety Defects

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After his second (2) unsuccessful repair attempt, the owner of a defective 2014 Chevrolet Traverse contacted our law offices for advice and to retain our firm. He told us his vehicle had several manufacturing non-comformities affecting the engine and safety systems. The engine would periodically lose power; the check engine, traction control and airbag warning lights would remain on; and the passenger front safety belt anchor and restraint system were defective.

We analyzed our client’s potential lemon law case by reviewing the repair orders and lease contract, and determined that he had a valid claim to have the vehicle bought back. Shortly after filing our demand, GM agreed to repurchase the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse, pay off the balance of the lease and reimburse our client for his down payment and monthly payments. GM also paid our client’s attorney’s fees. The only cost was a usage fee as allowed under the California Lemon Law.

Our client could not have been happier to get rid of the dangerous vehicle and be reimbursed for the monies he had paid.

2016 Tesla Model S & Model X Parking Brake Warnings

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Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Model S and Model X sports cars about a manufacturing problem affecting the braking system. According to the defect report, the Brembo electric parking brake calipers on some Tesla vehicles may have been improperly manufactured and could fracture. If this gear fractures, the electric motor will be unable to move the brake pad and the parking brake caliber will not release. When attempting to release the parking brake, an alert will appear that reads “Parking Brake Did Not Release – Contact Tesla Service.” When applying the brake, an alert will appear that reads “Parking Brake Needs Service – Car May Be Free Rolling.”

Those receiving notices can return to their Tesla service center to have the electric parking brake calipers replaced. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-17-33-002 and the NHTSA campaign number is 170-260.

2017 Subaru Impreza Rough Idling And Stalling

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Subaru will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Impreza vehicles regarding a problem affecting the fuel system. Due to a software programming issue within the engine control unit, the operating threshold of the radiator fan used to cool the fuel temperature is not set low enough for winter blend fuels. A combination of winter fuel, warm temperatures and low speed or stopped driving conditions may cause the fuel to vaporize prematurely. Premature vaporization causes a decrease in fuel pressure, rough idling, a no start condition or an engine stall. In some cases, if the engine were to stall, the driver may be unable to restart the vehicle for a certain period of time.

Dealers will correct the problem by reprogramming the engine control unit to turn the radiator cooling fan on at a lower temperature. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2738. Subaru’s number for this recall is WTP-75 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-216.

RAM 1500 Rear Differential Retaining Pin Damage

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Chrysler will be contacting a small number of 2016-2017 RAM 1500 owners regarding a problem affecting their vehicles power train. According to the defect report, the differential retaining screw pin could become loose and contact the bearing cap. If the pin comes out of position, the differential pinion spider gears, the loose screw or the pin itself could make contact with components inside the differential and cause it to break and/or lock up.

Dealers will inspect and replace the differential pin retaining screw in all affected vehicles. If the inspection finds the retaining screw loose or damaged, the entire rear axle assembly will be replaced. 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 T20 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-198.

2017 Fiat 500X No TPMS Warning

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Chrysler will be contacting certain 2017 Fiat 500X owners about a safety problem affecting their vehicles. According to the defect report, the low tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not illuminate under certain circumstances. Driving on under inflated tires could result in reduced vehicle handling and in rare cases, the potential for complete tire failure.

Dealers will correct the problem by updating the instrument panel software. The recall is expected to begin April 21, 2017. 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 T16 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-146.

2012 Nissan Versa Airbag Could Deploy When Door Is Slammed

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Nissan will be contacting the owners of certain 2012 Nissan Versa cars regarding a safety problem affecting the airbag system. In the subject vehicles, dissimilar metals were used in the side air bag sensor connectors. The combination could lead to oxidation on the pins and disabled communication to the satellite sensor to airbag control unit (ACU). The system is designed to enter a backup state when the signal is lost which will still allow the airbag to deploy, but lower threshold requirements may cause the curtain and seat mounted air bags to deploy unexpectedly if the door is slammed.

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new jumper harness and replace the side impact satellite sensors. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V-144.

2017 Volvo Seat Side Airbag Problem

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A small number of 2017 Volvo owners will be returning to their dealerships for a problem affecting the driver and front passenger seat side airbags. According to the defect report, the generant mix ratio in some of the initiators may be out of specification. The problem could result in non-deployment of the airbags during a crash.

The vehicles affected include:

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the front seat side air bags as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo’s number for this recall is R89712 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-127. (Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V-918.)

Ford & Lincoln Vehicles Affected By Airbag Problem

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Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 32,000 2016-2017 Ford Edge, 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX and 2017 Lincoln Continental vehicles to replace Takata driver frontal airbag modules. According to the recall report, the affected vehicles have airbags that may not completely fill or the airbag cushion could detach during deployment. This problem is not related to Takata’s recall for airbags that can experience propellant degradation resulting in a potential rupture, but the results can be just as dangerous.

Owners will be asked to return to their dealer to have the driver frontal air bag module replaced. Because parts are not currently available safety recall will be sent out in March 2017 and a second notice will be sent when parts are available. For more information about the problem owners are asked to contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 17C02 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-123.