Drivers of certain 2013 Ford Escape sport utility vehicles (SUV) with 1.6L engines, are being notified to bring in their vehicles to their nearest dealership to correct a problem that could lead to an engine compartment fire. According to Ford, certain vehicles built between October 5, 2011 to August 31, 2012, may have a cylinder head cup plug, also known as a freeze plug, that could become dislodged resulting in a coolant leak. If the coolant evaporates on a hot surface, the glycol could ignite and catch fire. Ford will be notifying owners of the problem this month and can take in there vehicles to have the plug sealed and a secondary plug cover added. For more information about the problem, contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Just recently we were able to negotiate to have a 2012 Hyundai Sonata repurchased for a client who lived in Orange County. The vehicle only had 6,000 miles on the odometer but had to be repaired several times for a defective suspension and steering system which caused it to sway while driving under normal operating conditions. While the vehicle was almost new and our client had only given the dealer three opportunities to repair the defects, we were able to persuade the manufacturer that this was a safety problem which warranted a full buyback.

The case was concluded within three months, from the time our client first contacted our firm to determine whether he had a viable lemon law case, to the date when it was ultimately repurchased and transferred back to the manufacturer and a client-trust check was rewarded to our client’s for his down payment and monthly payments. This was concurrent with the manufacture’s payoff to our client’s lender of the balance of his loan. Our client was, of course, ecstatic with the results of his lemon law case.

If you own or lease a vehicle which continues to have problems that started during the manufacturer’s original new car warranty, you may be driving a lemon. Please call the Law Offices of Delsack & Assoc., P.C. at 888-EX-LEMON (888-395-3666) for a free consultation with an experienced California lemon law attorney to find out whether we can help you get rid of your lemon.

Volvo will be asking drivers of certain 2013 Volvo S80 sedans and 2013 Volvo XC70 station wagons to bring in their vehicles for a problem that could lead to premature wear of the tires. A software error within the Central Electronic Module (CEM) may cause the system to fail to warn the driver that the air in their tires is low. Driving on low tires can result in overloading and overheating and could lead to a blowout. Owners receiving a notification will be asked to bring in their vehicles to have the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) reprogrammed, free of charge. For more information about the problem, contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

General Motors (GM) is warning drivers of certain 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured between May 2011- February 2012, that their vehicles may not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for the windshield wiping and washing systems. According to GM, the washer hose could separate from the washer fluid reservoir making it impossible for the driver to clean the windshield while driving. A buildup of dirt could eventually obstruct the drivers vision increasing the chance of an accident. GM will be sending out notices to Sonic owners asking them to take their vehicles in to their Chevrolet dealership to have the hose secured to prevent separation. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Nissan is warning drivers of certain 2013 Infiniti JX35 crossover utility vehicles that they could be left stranded due to a problem that could lead to fuel reading inaccuracies. According to Nissan, The fuel line transfer tube may have been miss-routed in the fuel tank during manufacturing. The float may be restricted from moving as fuel is consumed, giving the driver higher fuel reading than there actually is. Nissan will inspect and reroute the fuel transfer tube as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

According to a 2012 Strategic Vision (SV) survey, consumer’s rate Volkswagen and Ford as having the highest quality ratings of all 2011 vehicles surveyed. The difference between Strategic Vision’s survey as compared to J.D. Power’s Quality Reports, done earlier this year, is that Strategic Vision uses what it calls the “Total Quality Index” (TQI). TQI not only rates vehicles by consumer complaints, but also takes into consideration the customer buying experience, vehicle performance and all around customer satisfaction. Strategic Vision has been working directly with automotive consumers since 1995, as well as maintains relationships with all major automotive manufacturers. This allows them to report on all aspects of the new car buyer’s experience.

This year’s survey questioned almost 40,000 people who bought model year 2011 vehicles between September and December 2010. Volkswagen came in first, mostly due to the success of the Golf, Jetta, and Tiguan. Despite complaints about about Fords infotainment systems; strong designs, technological innovations, and brand equity in the Mustang, Flex and F-Series trucks, gave Ford a second place. The biggest surprise came from the most improved corporation, Chrysler Group, who’s Dodge Charger and redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee excelled in innovation, influencing the perceptions of quality. Even though Toyota vehicles were reported to have the lowest actual problems, there were no Toyota vehicles in the top of the list. With all automobile manufacturers running the tightest “quality race” ever, customers are increasingly defining “quality” by using the Total Quality Index.

Chrysler will be contacting approximately 1,500 owners of certain 2013 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles (SUV) about a possible problem with their vehicles supplemental side curtain air bags. According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), certain vehicles may have been manufactured with the incorrect airbag occupant restraint control (ORC) module. The incorrect module could result in the vehicles supplemental side curtain airbags not deploying properly if the vehicle is hit from the side or to the rear of the second row seat. Chrysler will be contacting owners, starting next month, and will correct the problem by replacing the the ORC module free of charge. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

General Motors (GM) and Isuzu will be alerting drivers of certain 2006-2007 sport utility vehicles (SUV) of a problem that could result in a fire starting inside the driver’s side door. The problem is being blamed on contaminants getting into the door and causing corrosion and a short circuit in the power door lock and power window switches. Drivers noticing a burning odor or the power door locks and power windows functioning intermittently or stop working completely, are asked to take their vehicles to the nearest dealership immediately. The problem affects certain GM and Isuzu vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The vehicles included in the recall are:

For more information about the problem:

  • Buick owners may contact the Buick owner center at 1-800-521-7300
  • Chevrolet owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546
  • GMC owners may contact the GMC owner center at 1-866-996-9463
  • Isuzu cowners may contact the Isuzu owner center at 1-800-255-6727
  • SAAB owners may contact the SAAB owner center at 1-855-880-0808