Category Archives: Lemon Alert

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.

2017 Buick LaCrosse Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Warning

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General Motors has decided that a defect affecting vehicle safety exists in certain 2017 Buick LaCrosse vehicles.

According to the defect report, the terminal cables carrying ground and/or power to the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) connectors could have seals that were poorly crimped. The poor crimps make it difficult to fully seat those cables and could allow water to enter and corrode the connector. Drivers could experience an EPS warning light on the instrument panel, a chime will sounds to alert the driver and the vehicle will become difficult to steer.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have their vehicles inspected and the problem corrected. 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 17085 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-116.

Ford Focus And Fiesta DPS6 Transmission Problems

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The owners of certain Ford Fiesta and Focus cars have been receiving notices regarding an extended warranty coverage on their Dual Power Shift (DPS6) transmissions. The extension gives owners a 10 year or 150,000 mile warranty on the vehicles transmission control module (TCM). This customer satisfaction program (14M02) affects certain 2011-2015 Fiesta and 2012-2015 Focus vehicles, although owners of 2016 models have received notices as well

The Problem: There is no denying that Fords DPS6 transmissions has problems. Intermittent loss of engagement while driving, lack of power and a no-start condition are common complaints, but the problems are amplified by driver expectations. Ford calls their DPS6 an automatic, when in reality, it is a manual transmission that shifts automatically. Owner expecting it to behave in the same manner as a regular automatic transmission have resulted in an even larger number of consumer complaints. Continue reading →