Tag Archives: automobile safety defect

Ram 1500 Engine Stall Due To PCM Issue

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Chrysler (FCA) has recently made an announcement to the public regarding the recall of certain 2021 Ram 1500 vehicles. The reason behind the recall is an unexpected engine stall issue that has been identified in some of the vehicles equipped with 5.7L eTorque engines. An engine stall can cause an increased risk of an accident, which can be life-threatening.

FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization initiated an investigation into the matter in January 2023, after receiving several reports regarding the potential stall condition in a 2021 Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7LeTorque engine. The investigation revealed that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software was the root cause of the stall pattern in the affected vehicles.

The vehicles that were manufactured between June 3, 2020, and September 12, 2021, have been identified to have defective powertrain control module software, which can cause an incorrect fuel mixture condition in the engine and eventually result in an engine stall.

Chrysler is notifying owners to bring their vehicles in for repair. According to the defect report, the company has identified 206 customer records, 636 warranty claims, and 53 field reports related to this issue. This recall is expected to affect a significant number of vehicles, and Chrysler is urging all affected vehicle owners to take immediate action to prevent any potential accidents or harm.

If you are an owner of one of the affected vehicles, you are entitled to a free repair. Under the Lemon Law, manufacturers are required to replace or refund the purchase price of a vehicle that has a recurring defect that cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts. If your vehicle is affected and the repair is not successful, you may be eligible for a refund or replacement under this law.

The affected vehicles will be repaired by updating the Powertrain Control Module calibration software. The recall number for this specific recall is 37A, and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-265. It is important to act immediately if you are an owner of one of these vehicles to avoid any potential safety risks.

Chevy Express & GMC Savana HVAC Circuit May Overheat

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General Motors (GM) is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, with a reputation for producing reliable and safe vehicles. However, like all automakers, GM occasionally identifies issues with its vehicles that need to be addressed to ensure the safety of its customers. Recently, GM identified a problem in certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and 2003-2023 GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

According to the defect report, these vehicles are equipped with an unused circuit that a final-stage manufacturer may elect to use to install an optional rear HVAC system. While this circuit is not typically used, if the final-stage manufacturer leaves the circuit’s connectors or cut wires unsealed, where exposure to moisture or contamination may, over time, cause corrosion. In rare cases, this corrosion could result in a high current draw through the circuit at the vehicles’ lower left side B-pillar. If left unaddressed, the problem could cause excessive heat in the circuit that could result in a fire.

To address this problem, GM began a product investigation in December 2022, after receiving reports of two alleged fire incidents involving a 2013 and a 2014 Chevrolet Express Cutaway incomplete vehicles. The company’s investigators analyzed inspection reports from the two subject vehicles and retrieved and analyzed field data for all Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway vehicles sold for model years 2005 through 2023, comprising approximately 167,000 units. Analysis of the field data, including legal claims, identified a total of eight potentially related complaints, six of which alleged fires.

On March 30, 2023, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall. While the company is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this condition, it is taking this action to ensure the safety of its customers.

Owners of the affected vehicles will receive notices with instructions to return to their dealers to have the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar properly sealed. The recall is identified by GMC’s number N222386050 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-247.

2023 Genesis G90 Abnormal Pretensioner Deployment

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Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) will be contacting the owners of certain 2023 Genesis G90 luxury sedans because of a defect affecting the seat belt pretensioners in their vehicles. The problem could result in an increased chance of injury to vehicle occupants.

In October 2022, Hyundai received information pertaining to an investigation into allegations of abnormal seat belt pretensioner deployments in vehicles associated with recalls 21V-796, 22V-069, 22V-123, 22V-218, 22V-354, and 22V-458. Recall 22V-816 was initiated as Hyundai continued to evaluate vehicles equipped with the same Samsong pretensioners that had not yet been recalled..

In January, during the continued analysis of the airbag control unit (ACU) crash pulse data recovered from a North Carolina incident, they found that the micro gas generator (MGG) separated despite having a lower pretensioner “time-to-fire”. This was the problem that was previously thought to be the contributor to over-pressurization of the pretensioner pipe. Because of this information, the North America Safety Office (NASO) decided to conduct a safety recall 012G (23V-094) of Genesis G80, GV60, GV70, and GV80 vehicles equipped with pretensioners without a vent valve. Recall 012G (23V-094) supersedes Recall 009G, obsoleting all affected population(s) of Recall 211/009G (21V-796).

In March, during the review of details surrounding Hyundai’s assessment of the open investigation into the recent recalls, Hyundai noted that the recent recalls address all U.S. vehicles equipped with the subject Samsong seat belt pretensioner excluding Genesis G90 vehicles. The G90 contains the same seat belt pretensioners but because it is installed facing outward and away from occupants, fragments entering the cabin area and injuring occupants are significantly less likely to happen. Based on this information, the NASO decided to conduct a safety recall (013G) of Genesis G90 vehicles equipped with pretensioners without a vent valve. NHTSA campaign number 23V-210.

According to the defect report, the subject vehicles are equipped with frontal/rear pyrotechnic-type seat belt pretensioners that could deploy abnormally in certain crash conditions. The problem is due to the over-pressurization of the pretensioner pipe. Depending on specific vehicle characteristics such as pretensioner load limiter specification, the airbag control unit logic, crash duration/severity, and micro-gas generator orientation, occupants could experience an increased risk of injury.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer to have the seat belt pretensioner’s micro gas generator and delivery pipe secured with a cap to prevent potential abnormal deployment.

Slow Battery Replacement On Some Chevrolet Bolt EVs

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We are still receiving inquiries concerning Chevy Bolts. GM continues to work on replacing the batteries in the 2017-2021 Bolts, but it seems as though progress has slowed dramatically in the replacement of the 2020 and 2021 vehicles. In the meantime, GM continues to sell 2022 and now 2023 with the new generation batteries, which of course begs the question as to why the batteries in the 2022 and 2023 Bolts are not first finding their way into the 2020 and 2021 Bolts. Unfortunately, we do not have an answer to this. We will continue to accept Chevy Bolt cases until every Bolt owner can be assured that their vehicle is safe for their family.

The Chevrolet Bolt was one of the first electric vehicles to gain mainstream popularity. It was marketed as an affordable and practical EV with a range of over 200 miles on a single charge. However, the Bolt has been plagued with battery problems that have affected its reliability and safety.

One of the main issues with the Bolt is the slow replacement of its battery. Unlike gasoline-powered cars, EV batteries are not interchangeable, and replacing them can take weeks or even months. This is because the process involves removing the entire battery pack, shipping it to a specialized facility, and replacing it with a new one. The slow replacement process has left many Bolt owners stranded without their cars for extended periods.

Despite these battery problems, GM is still manufacturing new Bolt vehicles. This has raised concerns among consumers about whether the company has fully addressed the underlying issues with Bolt’s battery. GM has released several recalls related to the battery problem, including 20V-701, 21V-560, and 21V-650. These recalls aim to fix the issue by updating Bolt’s software to prevent battery fires and reducing the charging capacity to prevent battery degradation.

However, the repeated problems with the Bolt’s battery have led many to question its reliability. If a car experiences the same problem repeatedly, it may be considered a “lemon.” A lemon is a car that has a substantial defect that cannot be fixed despite multiple repair attempts. In the case of the Bolt, repeated battery problems could mean that the car is defective and not fit for purpose.

If you own a Chevy Bolt and have experienced repeated battery problems, contact us at 1-888-395-3666 to explore your options. Lemon laws protect consumers from defective products and ensure that they receive compensation or a replacement vehicle if their car is a lemon.

In conclusion, the Chevy Bolt’s battery problems have affected its reliability and safety. The slow battery replacement process has left many owners stranded without their cars for extended periods. Despite several recalls, the repeated battery problems have raised concerns about the Bolt’s reliability and whether it is a lemon. If you own a Chevy Bolt and have experienced repeated battery problems, it is crucial to explore your options under the lemon law and protect your rights as a consumer.

Front Wheels May Lock Up in 2023 Ford Trucks and SUVs

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Ford is reaching out to the owners of certain 2023 Ford trucks and SUVs regarding a power-train issue that could lead to a loss of 4-wheel drive. The front wheels could also lock up as a result of the defect. This problem has been discovered in the 2023 model year Ford F-150 4×4, as well as the Ford Expedition 4×4 and Lincoln Navigator 4×4 vehicles.

The problem was first detected in January 2023 during the loading process, when reports of front axle pinion fractures on three F-150 4×4 vehicles were received by Ford’s critical concern review group (CCRG). An investigation into the issue found that the same pinions were installed on the Expedition and Navigator 4×4 vehicles.

Further investigation showed that the fractured pinions did not undergo the required heat treatment process at Ford’s axle manufacturing plant. This heat treatment process is crucial to reduce the hardness and brittleness of the pinion stem threads. The problem was limited to pinions in 3.73:1 gear ratio axles, and a team was dispatched to conduct eddy current hardness checks of all available stock at affected assembly plants. The CCRG investigative team also reviewed plant process records to determine the build population of suspect dates.

The pinion can break at any time in 4×4 applications, but it is expected to happen primarily while in reverse as the pinion is subject to higher loads. The driver may hear a loud noise when the pinion breaks or when the drive shaft and flange hit the frame cross member and stability bar after the pinion fractures.

Ford will replace the front axle pinion gear set, and if there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Ford’s recall number is 23S07, and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-128.

If you own a 2023 Ford Expedition, F-150, or Navigator, it is important to be aware of this recall and take appropriate action. This is a safety-related issue that should be addressed to avoid any potential safety hazards while driving.

GM Repurchases Certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu For Structural Problems

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General Motors (GM) will be contacting the owners of certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Malibu’s because of a problem affecting a structural portion of the vehicle frame.

GM first became aware of the problem in August 2022 when a production operator installing parts on a vehicle discovered a section of the motor rail was missing. Further investigation found that the front rail outer panel was cut too short and, as a result, was not completely welded to the front right-hand side of the front impact bar.

The problem was reported to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program which worked with the plant and supplier to identify and contain affected vehicles. Of the 1,875 vehicles that GM contained and inspected, they found none that had an incomplete weld. GM opened an investigation into the subject condition to analyze the potential effects of this condition during a crash. There are no known field incidents related to this condition., but GM has decided to conduct a safety recall.

According to the defect report, the sheet metal blank for the front frame rail outer panel for the 2022-2023 Chevy Malibu was improperly loaded into the die. As a result, the front frame rail was cut 10 millimeters short of its intended design. The shortened frame rail prevented proper welding of the front impact bar to the front frame rail. This defect may be present on the right hand and/or left-hand side of the vehicle.

Owners will be asked to return to their GM dealer to have the right-hand and left-hand sides of the vehicle’s motor rail inspected for incomplete welds. If the condition is found, the vehicle will be repurchased by GM. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 22V-923.

Is GM Repurchasing Your Lemon Vehicle?

Under the Lemon Law, if you qualify, you should be able to recover your down payment, (including registration fees, licensing fees, taxes, transportation costs, etc.), plus your total monthly lease or loan payments. The manufacturer will also pay off the balance of your loan or lease. The manufacturer will also pay all or most of your attorney’s fees.

If you have any questions about your rights and the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 1-888-395-3666 and get some great Lemon Law advice!

Hyundai And Kia Loss Of Drive Power – Transmission Oil Pump Malfunction

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Hyundai and Kia will be contacting the owners of certain 2021-2023 vehicles because of an internal fault affecting the electric oil pump in their transmissions. These automobiles are equipped with 2.5L turbocharged gasoline direct injection (T-GDI) engines and 8-speed dual-clutch transmissions (DCT)

Hyundai first became aware of the problem in September 2022 when the NHTSA’s ODI contacted them about a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz allegedly experiencing a loss of motive power while driving at various speeds. An investigation into the problem identified an internal fault with the DCT’s high-pressure electric oil pump as the likely cause of the vehicle entering “fail-safe” driving. Based on the information received, Hyundai decided to conduct a recall for affected vehicles. Because the same components are used on certain Kia vehicles, Kia also decided to conduct a recall.

The vehicles affected include:

2022 Hyundai Elantra N
2022 Hyundai Kona N
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
2021-2022 Hyundai Sonata
2021-2022 Hyundai Veloster N
2021-2023 Kia K5
2021-2022 Kia Sorento

According to the defect report, “The electric oil pump within the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) may experience an internal fault due to insufficient soldering of a component of the electric oil pump circuit board. As a result, the subject vehicles may set a diagnostic trouble code with warnings and allow the vehicle to be driven normally for 20-30 seconds, followed by complete loss of motive power due to disengagement of the transmission drive gears.” If this happens, drivers will hear an audible warning chime, the message “stop safely immediately” on the instrument cluster and an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL).

Hyundai has received 229 unique incidents in the US related to this problem. Kia has identified 36 alleged incidents of loss of motive power due to an internal fault with the electric oil pump. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 236 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-746. Kia’s number for this recall is SC250 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-760.

Stellantis Safety Defects And Recalls

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Stellantis is a global automaker and the owner of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM brands in the US. In the last year, they have issued numerous recalls affecting millions of vehicles. During this time, the company is also subject to ongoing investigations by the U.S. government automobile safety regulators.

Below is a summary of the Stellantis recalls in 2022.

Fuel Pump Failure (22V-767)
Models Affected: 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines.
A high-pressure fuel pump failure could introduce internally failed component debris into the fuel system potentially causing the engine to stall due to fuel starvation.

Front Seat Belt Pretensioner Could Fail (22V-766)
Models Affected: 2022 Ram 1500, Jeep Gladiator, and 2021 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.
An incorrectly welded micro gas generator (MGG) may lead to a pretensioner system failure that could fail to restrain an occupant during an accident.

Internal ECM Short May Cause Loss of Power (22V-642)
Models Affected: 2022 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 2500, and 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel engines.
The engine control module (ECM) may have been built with a misaligned capacitor that can short-circuit, resulting in an internal loss of communication.

Rearview Camera Image May Not Display (22V-638)
Models Affected: 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500, and 2021 Jeep Gladiator
A software error could prevent the rear view image from displaying. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for rear visibility.

Tail Light Side Marker May Not Illuminate (22V-544)
Models Affected: 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles.
The tail light side marker assemblies may be damaged and not illuminated.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor Battery May Fail Prematurely (22V-504)
Models Affected: 2022 Chrysler 300, 2022 Dodge Challenger, and 2022 Dodge Charger
According to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) , all vehicles must be equipped with a tire pressure monitor system that detects”when one or more of a vehicle’s tires is significantly under-inflated and illuminates a low tire pressure warning telltale. The tire pressure system in the suspect vehicles may not detect low tire pressure. If the TPMS light illuminates because the battery in the sensor prematurely discharges, it could mask an actual low tire pressure condition, possibly resulting in tire failure.

Vehicle Rollaway Because Of ABS Malfunction (22V-426)
Models Affected: 2018-2019 Dodge Durango, and 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee
A malfunctioning antilock-brake system (ABS) module may illuminate the brake lights, and allow the vehicle to start and shift out of Park without the brake pedal being applied.

Rear view Image May Not Display (22V-407)
Models Affected: 2022 Ram 1500, 2500 pickup trucks, and 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs
The radio software may prevent the rear view image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, “Rear Visibility.”

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure (22V-406)
Models Affected: 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 RAM 1500
A high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.

Stuck EGR Valve May Cause Loss Of Power (22V-284)
Models Affected: 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.

Seat May Not Secure Properly (22V-181)
Models Affected: 2021-2022 Pacifica and 2021 Voyager
The second-row seat-to-floor mounting latch may bind and stick open, preventing the seat from properly securing to the floor.

Missing Weld From The Seat Back Frame To The Child Seat Tether Anchorage (22V-180)
Models Affected: 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
These vehicles may have been built with a missing weld from the seat back frame to the child seat tether anchorage. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Restraint Anchorage Systems.”

Steering Assembly Bar Could Bind (22V-154)
Models Affected: 2021-2022 Dodge Durango and 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.
The steering gear rack bar may have been insufficiently hardened during manufacturing, possibly allowing it to bind within the steering rack. The problem could result in a loss of steering control.

ESC Light May Not Indicate Malfunction (22V-140)
Models Affected: 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2019-2022 RAM 2500, and 2019-2022 RAM 2500
An ABS control module software issue could prevent the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light from illuminating during certain conditions.