Category Archives: Lemon Alert

Tesla Overheating Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) Adapters

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Tesla has identified a problem affecting certain Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) adapters and will notify customers to get a replacement. The affected units may have an insufficiently welded electrical connection that could exhibit increased electrical resistance. The vehicle may detect a fault and interrupt charging or the adapter could become hot to the touch.

The charging adapter affected include:

Tesla will notify owners and will provide them with a replacement adapter. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16E-091.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Airbag Defect

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles regarding a problem affecting their vehicles airbag safety. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the right-hand rear side airbag may have weak welds on the inflator manifold. In the event of a right-side impact, this defect can cause inflator components to separate and propel debris or hot gas into the interior compartment. It is also possible that the airbag may inflate partially or not at all.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the rear side airbag module replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 16146 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-870.

Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Seat Belt Safety

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Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles regarding a problem that could cause the front seat belt anchor cable to fail. According to the defect report, the strength of the cable can be degraded due to internal pretensioner temperatures created during deployment. If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury during a crash.

Owners will be notified of the safety issue beginning on January 20, 2017, and a second notice will be mailed when parts become available. For more information about the problem, owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S42 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-875.

2017 Maserati Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte Safety Defects

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The owners of certain 2017 Maserati Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte cars will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding problems affecting the power train, tires, and backup camera.

Power Train Problems: Certain 2017 Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016, to October 12, 2016, may have been built with a rear differential pinion nut that was not torqued to the proper specifications. A loose pinion gear could bind, possibly resulting in the rear wheels locking up while driving. Maserati’s number for this recall is 328 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-856. Continue reading →

2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 & E550 Safety Defect

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Mercedes-Benz (MBUSA) will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles, because one of the under body panels may have been manufactured out of specification. Vehicles equipped with dual exhaust systems may not have enough clearance between the catalyst and the panel. High temperatures could melt the panel and under certain conditions result in a fire.

Dealers will inspect and replace the under body panel, as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-831.

2011-2016 Toyota Sienna Sliding Door May Unexpectedly Open

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A safety defect will have certain 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna owners returning to their dealership for repairs. The subject vehicles are equipped with power sliding doors which rely on certain inputs to open or close the door. There is a possibility that, under certain conditions which impede the opening of the door, such as when the door becomes frozen with ice, the sliding door motor could stall when the door is operated. If the motor stalls, high current in the door motor circuit could be generated, operating the fuse for the door motor. If the fuse is operated with the sliding door latch mechanism in an unlatched position, the door could open while driving.

Owners will be mailed an interim notice for this defect because a remedy is still under development. 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 G04 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-858.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe / Convertible Seat Belt Defect

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Mercedes-Benz will be contacting the owners of certain 2016-2017 Mercedes Benz S63 AMG, S65 AMG and S550 coupe/convertible vehicles because the seat belt extender may not retract as intended. According to the defect report, the control unit for a specific production range was not properly coded to account for friction conditions during activation of the extender. In the event of a crash, the extended seat belt extender could break, minimizing the full protection of the seat belt and may create edges that could inflict additional injuries.

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software. The recall is expected to begin in mid-December 2016. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-829.

2017 Jeep Wrangler Cracked Control Valve

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Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Jeep Wrangler vehicles regarding a problem affecting the fuel system. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with a fuel tank that has a cracked or broken control valve. The problem could result in a fuel leak during a rollover event, debris in the fuel tank and/or the potential of over fueling the vehicle. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Jeep dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace fuel tank and sending unit 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 S90 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-849.