Daimler AG will be asking owners of some 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 and C400 sedans to return their vehicles to a Mercedes approved repair facility to have the steering system inspected for a manufacturing error that could result in loss of steering control. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, an improper assembly procedure could result in the steering coupling interlock mechanism not being locked in place. The sliding shaft could become disengaged from the coupling as the result of vibrations, steering thrust, or load feedback from the road surface. If the shaft becomes disengaged the driver may experience noises, steering backlash, and/or loss of steering control. Continue reading
Does the California Lemon Law Apply To Used Vehicles?
Although the California lemon law was designed to protect consumers who discover unfixable defects with the new vehicle they have purchased or leased, many states have included provisions to protect used car consumers as well.
The defect still must impair the safety, value, or use of the vehicle, and a manufacturer approved repair facility must be given a reasonable number of repair attempts to qualify. This includes four (4) repair attempts for the same or similar problem or two (2) repair attempts for a defect likely to cause serious bodily harm. Continue reading
2011 Kia Sorrento CA Lemon Law Buyback
The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. recently helped the owner of a 2011 Kia Sorento obtain a vehicle buyback under the California Lemon Law. Prior to contacting us, he had given his dealership eight (8) opportunities to repair the defects and had complained to the service manager many times, but the vehicle was still not repaired. The defects included engine and other manufacturing non-conformities which caused the vehicle to stall under normal operating conditions and repeated problems with the ignition system and electrical system which would result in a no start condition and the check engine light to remain on. Continue reading
Infiniti QX56 & QX80 Airbag Safety Defect
Drivers of certain 2013 QX56 and 2014 QX80 SUV’s could experience incorrect airbag inflation during an accident because of a manufacturing error. Some air bags were built with an incorrect outer baffle component that could cause excessive inflator pressure that could rupture the airbag causing metal fragment to strike and potentially injure vehicle occupants. Owner will be asked to return their vehicles to an Infiniti retailer to have the front driver air bag inflator replaced free of charge. Continue reading
2010-2014 RAM Truck Fuel Leak
Chrysler will be asking owners of certain 2010-2014 RAM trucks equipped with diesel Cummins engines, to return their vehicles to their dealership to repair a safety defect with the fuel system wire harness. An engineering analysis found that the terminals on the fuel heater connector could overheat and deform, possibly leading to failure of the O-ring that seals the fuel heater assembly. If the connector overheats, the fuel heater could leak, increasing the chance of an engine fire. Continue reading
Toyota And Lexus Fuel Smell After Engine Shutoff
In August 2014, Toyota received customer complaints of fuel odor after turning off the engine on certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles. An inspection of the fuel system found fuel dripping from the end cap of the delivery pipe on the engine due to insufficient welding of the cap. An on site investigation of the supplier found that the cooling air hose for the manufacturing jig used during the welding process was disconnected because of routine maintenance, resulting in an insufficient weld. In this condition, fuel could leak from the fuel delivery pipe and in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of a vehicle fire. Continue reading
2011 Dodge Durango California Lemon Law Buyback
Approximately eight months after purchasing a 2011 Dodge Durango, a California resident found himself returning his vehicle to a Chrysler dealership for problems that would result in the check engine light remaining on. By January 2014, he had provided Chrysler seven (7) more opportunities to repair various problems which included a defective wiring harness, Power-Train Control Module (PCM), and O2 sensor. Continue reading
2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler Electrical Short
Chrysler will be notifying owners of certain 2011–2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles of a safety defect that could potentially result in fire. The problem was first discovered in February 2013 after vehicle inspections found localized heat damage concentrated around the connector of the front door wiring harness for the exterior heated power mirror. Continue reading
