Category Archives: Lemon Alert

2016-2017 Toyota Tundra Damaged Bumper Brackets

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On January 24 2017, Toyota filed a defect report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about a problem affecting certain 2016-2017 Tundra vehicles. The affected trucks are equipped with resin rear step bumpers and reinforcement brackets that could crack if impacted at the corner of the bumper. If a person steps on the corner of the bumper that is damaged, a portion of it may break away, increasing the risk of injury.

Dealers will replace the resin rear bumper reinforcement brackets with steel ones and replace the rear bumper tread. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0C and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-051.

2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze May Not Meet Crash Protection Standards

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General Motors has decided that certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles may fail to conform to the Federal Safety Standards for crash protection. According to the defect report, a bracket used in the driver and front passenger seat back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat back frame. During a crash, the front seat head restraints could separate, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the front passenger seats inspected and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 17035 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-057.

2015-2016 Nissan Altima Rear Doors Could Unexpectedly Open

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Nissan will be asking owners of certain 2015-2016 Altima vehicles to return to their dealerships to correct a problem affecting the rear door locks. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, Nissan was notified of an incident involving a rear door that unexpectedly opening while the vehicle was in motion. Further investigation found that during the rear door trim panel installation process, the latch lock cable may have been routed incorrectly. Under certain conditions, the cable may interfere with the window regulator causing the rear passenger door to unlatch and open when the window is lowered.

Nissan will notify owners and dealers will correct the rear door latch/lock cable routing. 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-040.

Audi 2.0L TFSI Engine Overheat Warning

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The owners of certain Audi vehicles equipped with 2.0L TFSI engines, will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the engine and its cooling system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the coolant pump could become blocked by debris from the cooling system. If this happens the pump could overheat and cause a fire.

The vehicles affected by this defect include:

Audi has developed software which will deactivate the power supply to the coolant pump, if the pump becomes blocked. The driver will be notified of the blockage through an illuminated Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 19M1 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-002.

Porsche Boxster, Cayman & 911 Seat Mounted Airbag Failure

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Porsche will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, and 911 vehicles regarding a defect affecting the seat mounted side air bag inflators. According to the defect report, Porsche may have been supplied with air bag initiators with deviations in the generant mix ratio. If the mix ratio does not meet specification, the initiators may not function properly, possibly leading to a non-deployment condition during a crash.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the affected air bag modules replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche’s number for this recall is AG10 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-946.

Volvo Airbag Safety Problem

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Volvo has received information from their airbag supplier regarding an issue affecting the front driver, front passenger and front seat side airbags. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the generant mix ratio of the inflators may be out of specifications and could result in non-deployment of the airbag.

The vehicles affected by this problem include:

Owners will be asked to return to their dealership to have their vehicles airbags inspected and replaced as necessary. For more information about the problem, owners 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 16V-918.

2017 Maserati Levante Transmission And Engine Problems

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Maserati has determined that certain 2017 Maserati Levante vehicles may have been manufactured with and engine software issue that could affect performance. According to the defect report, if the vehicle is being operated at speeds of approximately 2 miles per hour, the transmission could unexpectedly shift into neutral or the engine could shut down completely.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the engine control software updated. For more information, owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-201-816-2638. Maserati’s number for this recall is 338 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-936.

Mercedes Benz GL, GLE & GLS OCS Airbag Warning

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Daimler has determined that certain Mercedes-Benz GL/GLE/GLS (166 Platform) and GLE Coupe (292 Platform) vehicles may have a problem affecting the front passengger occupant classification system (OCS). According to the defect report, a light occupant remaining stationary on the edge of the seat for a long time could be incorrectly classified as a child seat. The passenger side frontal airbag may be deactivated, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Drivers will be alerted with an “Airbag Off” warning message illuminated in the center console, even though an occupant is seated in the front passenger seat. Continue reading →