No injuries have been reported, but after concerns were raised by Transport Canada, GM has decided to recall almost 200,000 pickup trucks for an inadequate child restraint system in trucks without rear seats. The vehicles involved in the recall are:

  • 2004-2011 Chevrolet Colorado
  • 2004-2011 GMC Canyon regular cab
  • 2004-2011 GMC Canyon extended cab
  • 2007-2008 Isuzu I-290/I-370
  • 2006 Isuzu I-280/I-350

According to GM, “The child restraint top tether anchor for the front center seat position is not accessible for installing a child seat”, so the child restraint may not be properly secured.”

Customers will be mailed an owner’s manual supplement that describes how to install a child restraint using a top tether in the center position. Dealers will modify the back panel trim cover to allow access to the top tether anchor, if requested by the customer.

General Motors has announced that it will be recalling over 300,000 2009-2010 Chevy Impala automobiles because of a problem with the front seat belts. GM said that the front safety belt webbing may have not been properly attached to the lap belt anchor pretensioner during assembly. There have been no reports of injuries related to the problem, but the company felt a recall was needed after receiving 32 warranty reports. Dealers will inspect how the belts are anchored, and will reinstall the anchors if needed at no cost to the owners. GM will start sending out letters to owners October 26.

Chevrolet and OnStar unveiled the first working smartphone application that will allow owners 24/7 connection and control of vehicle functions and OnStar features remotely. The first to receive this new technology will be the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle which is scheduled to hit the show rooms later this year.

The Chevrolet Volt OnStar smartphone application is designed to enhance the Volt ownership experience with interaction and control never offered before.

  • With this application, owners will be able to remotely monitor and charge their vehicle and can be sent an e-mail informing them of the status.
  • Traditional OnStar features such as door lock, unlock and remote horn and lights – which have typically been accessible only through a call into the OnStar call center – will now be available via the application.
  • Volt drivers can also view and manage vehicle systems and commands from the vehicle, the internet or through a monthly OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics e-mail.
  • The new services, including the ability to read text messages aloud, play music from the Internet-based provider Pandora and post updates to Facebook, won’t be available for a few months, but these and other apps are in the testing phase.
  • Additional upgrades that OnStar is planning include hardware to turn the cars into roving Wi-Fi hotspots. This will allow passengers to share the wireless Internet connection using other devices, like laptops and tablet computers, in the car. The Wi-Fi option won’t appear in 2011 models, but they could be upgraded with U.S.B. attached Wi-Fi routers in the future.

Chris Preuss, president of OnStar said that OnStar is taking a measured approach and is sensitive to the issue of driver distractions. “There’s the issue of what you can do, and then there’s the issue of what you should do,” he said. “We are going to be extremely vigilant on this issue. Just because something is possible, doesn’t always mean we should do it.”

It is no secret that Toyota and Tesla have joined forces to develop an all electric Rav4 that they hope will shake up the electric vehicle market. Tesla has already delivered a working RAV4 EV to Toyota earlier this summer and will debut it to the public at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The vehicle is likely to be one of the stars of the Auto Show, which traditionally hosts “green” vehicle debuts. GM’s Chevy Volt and Nissans Leaf will also be there, but Toyota’s Rav4 hopes to attract the consumer who wants an electric vehicle, but wants something bigger than a compact car.

Yesterday, GM’s first Chevrolet Cruze for the United States market, rolled off the assembly line in Lordstown, Ohio. The car first made its debut at the last LA Auto Show, and has been GM’s second best seller overseas after their Silverado pickup trucks.

The Cruze is GM’s most significant new model introduced into the United States since last year’s bankruptcy. With the forty miles per gallon fuel consumption on the highway, they hope to break into the fuel efficient market that they gave up to imports thirty years ago. With an emphasis on safety, like ten air bags and traction control as standard equipment, they hope to make the Cruze stand out from all other models.

While the Cruze costs a little more than most of its competitors, G.M. argues that it provides a better value with extras like air-conditioning and power locks that are basics in high end models but extra on most compacts. That approach helps the Cruze generate more revenue and allows the car to be built profitably at a union plant in the United States. (Most competing compact cars are built at nonunion plants or in other countries.)

To build the Cruze, G.M. added a third shift at the Lordstown plant after being downsized to a single shift during the height of the recession. The plant now has about 4,500 workers, including 800 who transferred from elsewhere at G.M.

Here at the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, we represent our clients to the highest legal standards. In over 22 years of helping California consumers, we have successfully represented thousands of clients throughout the state in all types of lemon law cases, with all vehicle manufacturers. We are especially proud of the fact that in more than 9 out of 10 of these cases we are able to reach satisfactory settlements without litigation, making the settlements fast and stress free for our clients. The high standards we have set to represent only those clients with legitimate lemon law claims means that we do not compromise our integrity or reputation. Our goal is not to be “largest” lemon law firm in California, but to continue to be the best.

Below is a list of some of our most recent success stories where we helped consumers get settlements for their lemons:

  • 1. 2008 Chevrolet Colorado Full buy back Alta Loma, CA 26,612 miles
  • 2. 2009 Honda Accord Full buy back Burbank, CA 10,845 miles
  • 3. 2004 Jaguar 3.0 S type Full buy back Aliso Viejo, CA 35,233 miles
  • 4. 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Full buy back Concord, CA 45,500 miles
  • 5. 2006 Jeep Commander Full buy back Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 42,930 miles
  • 6. 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Cash and Keep Irvine, CA 22,295 miles
  • 7. 2008 BMW 328i Full buy back Reseda, CA 30,496
  • 8. 2008 VW Passat Cash and Keep Panorama City, CA 40,869 miles
  • 9. 2005 Mercedes Benz SL 55 AMG Full buy back San Ramon, CA 40,103 miles
  • 10. 2008 Nissan Rogue Cash and Keep Whittier, CA 17,091 miles
  • 11. 2007 Land Rover Full buy back Los Angeles, CA 28,511 miles
  • 12. 2007 BMW X5 Full buy back Anaheim, CA 28,641 miles
  • 13. 2007 Toyota Tundra Full buy back Whittier, CA 19,492 miles
  • 14. 2007 Kia Rio Full buy back Santa Rosa, CA 62,825 miles
  • 15. 2007 Hyundai Vera Cruz Full buy back Upland, CA 40,111 miles

If you are in California and feel that you may have a lemon, contact our lemon law offices, or fill out our Lemon Law Case Review, for a FREE consultation.

Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)

  • California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
  • California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
  • California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
  • California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
  • California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
  • California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500

According to GM executive director of global electrical systems, “The Chevrolet Volt’s batteries have exceeded performance targets and are ready to hit the road.” To prove it, Chevrolet is offering one of the automotive industry’s longest, most comprehensive battery warranties for an electric vehicle. The standard 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty will also be transferable at no extra cost to other vehicle owners.

The Volt’s comprehensive battery warranty covers all 161 battery components as well as the thermal management system, charging system and electric drive components, which allows the Volt to operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without concern about being stranded by a dead battery. It has a range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of fuel.

According to Nancy Laubenthal, plant manager of the Brownstown Battery Plant, “We’re moving fast to deliver for the customer and ensure the Volt launch stays on track.” “Last August we announced the investment in the Brownstown facility and in January built our first completed battery pack. Now we are finishing pre-production batteries and soon we will begin building production batteries for Chevrolet Volts that will be delivered to dealers before the end of the year.”

In 2008 GM recalled vehicles for an overheating windshield washer heater. A fuse was installed as a rectification, however, new reports of problems with the heater overheating continue to exist. GM will be recalling these vehicles again, and will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. Below is a list of the vehicles recalled:

    2006-2009

  • Buick Lucerne
  • Cadillac DTS
  • Hummer H2
    2008-2009

  • Buick Enclave
  • Cadillac CTS
    2007-2009

  • Cadillac Escalade
  • Cadillac Escalade ESV
  • Cadillac Escalade EXT
  • Chevrolet Avalanche
  • Chevrolet Silverado
  • Chevrolet Suburban
  • Chevrolet Tahoe
  • GMC Acadia
  • GMC Sierra
  • GMC Yukon
  • GMC Yukon XL
  • Saturn Outlook
    2009
    Chevrolet Traverse

Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and Hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.