In August 2013, Chrysler opened an investigation into certain 2013 Fiat 500e battery electric vehicles because drivers were experiencing excessive noise from the powertrain and loss of drive capability. The investigation found that due to product, process, and rework anomalies, the half shaft joints on the suspect vehicles may not have been engineered and developed for this application. Continue reading
Category Archives: Lemon Alert
Volkswagen Routan Repeated Repair Attempts
Certain 2009-2010 Volkswagen Routan owners will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem with their vehicle ignition switch system. These vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the “run” to the “accessory” position while driving. If this happens, the engine will turn off, depowering various key safety systems including; airbags, power steering, and power braking. The loss of these systems may increase the chance of injury during an accident. Continue reading
2014 Nissan Rogue Stalls & Will Not Start
Nissan will be asking owners of certain 2014 Nissan Rogue crossover vehicles to return to their dealership for a problem that could result in stalling and a no start condition. According to the defect report, nickel plating from the fuel pump casing/cover may detach due to fuel flow, vibration, and pressure. These particles could move into the gap between the impeller and casing/cover, causing the impeller to stop rotating and the fuel pump to stop working. The number of 2014 Rogue vehicles affected by this problem is approximately 76,242. Continue reading
2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV Loss Of Drive Power
After three field reports and eight warranty claims, Toyota has decided to ask owners of certain 2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV’s to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the hybrid propulsion system. Due to a software issue, the drive inverter electronic control unit may not be able to determine the rotational position of the motor. This will cause a speed sensor error code which will trigger a “Check EV System” warning message on the instrument panel, turn on the malfunction indicator lamp, and cause the electric motor to shift into “neutral”. This complete loss of drive power may increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading
Toyota Electric Power Steering Failure
Certain Toyota Camry, Highlander, and RAV4 vehicles equipped with an electric power steering (EPS) System could experience loss of steering assist due to a manufacturing error. According to reports, a resistor on the EPS electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, resistance may become high enough for the ECU to detect an abnormal current in the circuit. The problem may result in an illumining instrument panel warning light and the vehicle entering fail safe mode, suspending power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist results in increased steering effort during low speeds, increasing the risk of an accident. Continue reading
2014-2015 BMW X5 Airbag Problem
A small number of 2014-2015 BMW X5 owners will be returning to their dealerships to repair a safety problem with the Head Protection System (HPS). According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the connection between the HPS air bag and the gas generator may have been manufactured out of specification. This can cause insufficient inflation and an increased risk of injury during an accident. Continue reading
2015 Mercedes Benz C300 & C400 Fuel System Defects
Mercedes Benz will be notifying owners of certain 2015 C300 & C400 cars, about a problem affecting the fuel delivery system.
- The subject vehicles may have a fuel delivery module that was not properly attached to the fuel tank. The module could become loose over time resulting in a fuel leak and an increased risk of fire.
- Secondly, the electrical wires going to the fuel delivery module may have been pinched between the flange of the module and the tank. The fuel pump may stop working, resulting in a stall and an increased chance of an accident.
GM Loss Of Electric Power Steering Assist
General Motors will be notifying owners of certain 2015 Buick Encore and 2015 Chevrolet Trax crossover vehicles about an electrical defect affecting the steering system. According to reports, these vehicles may have been manufactured with a steering column assembly housing that could contact the power steering printed circuit board. The circuit board could wear resulting in a sudden loss of electric power steering assist. Continue reading
