Don’t Park Your Chevrolet Bolt In Your Garage Or Near Structures – Fire Warning

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If you are a Chevy Bolt owner living in California and you received a recall notice for battery fires, you may find it difficult to park your vehicle.

General Motor’s recent recall of certain 2017-2019 Chevy Bolt EVs is caused by the presence of two manufacturing defects in the N2.1 battery cell produced at their Korea facility. The problem is aggravated by charging the battery to a full or nearly full state of charge after it has been substantially depleted. The battery could overheat, emit smoke and catch fire, causing damage to vehicle components and structures around it. As a temporary solution, GM have asked owners to reprogram their hybrid propulsion control module to limit a full charge, but some owners say they are experiencing problems.

The safety recall from the NHTSA states the following:

As an interim remedy, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module to limit full charge to 90%. Until this interim is completed, customers should enable either “Hilltop Reserve” (for 2017-2018 model year vehicles) or “Target Charge Level” (for 2019 model year vehicles) using their vehicle’s infotainment center. These two features will limit the vehicle’s state of charge to 90% until the HPCM2 software re-calibration is applied. If customers are unable to successfully make these changes, or do not feel comfortable making these changes, they will be advised to not park their car in their garage or carport until after they have visited their dealer.

What options does that leave you? Possibly parking your car on the street or driveway which has problems in itself. Most charging cables are not long enough to reach the street, the cables could be damaged or stolen or someone could trip on them. Also in some cities there are restrictions against parking in the street and driveways.

If you own a Chevy Bolt and are concerned, we will be glad to talk with you. Please contact us today at 888-EX-Lemon (888-395-3666) for a free consultation or complete the short form at the top of this page.

2015 Dodge Ram Lemon Law Buyback

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Our client purchased a new 2015 Dodge Ram truck.

His first visit to the authorized Dodge dealership was on December 5, 2016. He brought his vehicle in because a coolant leak was coming from the thermostat housing.

The next visit was on December 14th and the coolant leak was still leaking in the same area. The check engine light was also on.

On April 17, 2017 he brought the vehicle in again as the engine light was on and there was no power.

The last visit was on December 8th and the Dodge Ram was in the shop for 27 days because the turbo under boost was not working.

He heard about the Lemon Law and contacted our office. He spoke with California Lemon Law attorney, Barry L. Edzant who asked him to forward some documents. After reviewing the documents, Barry called the potential client to discuss and he decided to sign a retainer agreement with Mr. Edzant’s Law Firm.

A demand letter was sent to FCA, USA and they decided to buy the vehicle back under the California Lemon Law. They reimbursed our client for his down payment, all payments made, his registration, paid off the loan minus a usage fee that the manufacturer is entitled to under the CA Lemon Law. They also paid the attorney fees.Our client was very happy with the results.

If you think you may be driving a lemon, please contact our Law Firm at 888-395-3666 for a free consultation and answers to your questions.

2021 Ford F-150 Reduced Brake Performance

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A small number of 2021 Ford F-150 trucks could experience an electronic brake booster leak. The leak could result in brake fluid entering the electronic control unit (ECU), causing longer break pedal travel, higher pedal effort and reduced braking.

In May 2021, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group reviewed three F-150 truck warranty claims where brake fluid from the electronic brake booster leaked into the ECU. Ford’s review of supplier records found that the supplier had identified 169 2021 model year F-150 brake booster assemblies in December 2020 because they were potentially assembled with a broken clinching tool, used to secure the pressure sensor to the booster housing. Further review of supplier and Ford records determined that 51 of the 169 quarantined parts were inadvertently shipped to Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant and assembled into vehicles, all of which were shipped to dealers in the U.S.

Engineering analysis found that a brake booster with an incomplete clinch between the pressure sensor and the brake booster housing can cause brake fluid to leak through the pressure sensor into the ECU. This can reduce braking effectiveness of the brake circuits.

Those receiving notifications will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the ECU replaced. Ford’s number for this recall is 21S33 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-533.

Chevy Silverado And GMC Sierra Roof Rail Air Bag Could Rupture

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In mid-June 2021 General Motors became aware of roof rail airbag (RRAB) inflator ruptures in three 2015 model year Silverado vehicles while the vehicle was unoccupied and not in use. In all three incidents, the steel inflator body sidewall split open, suddenly releasing the gas stored inside the chamber. GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority have decided to conduct a safety recall.

According to the defect report, The RRAB inflators on the left and right side roof rails may contain a manufacturing defect that could result in inflator end cap separation or inflator sidewall split. If this happens, the compressed gas will escape from the inflator and the end cap or other components can be propelled into the vehicle, potentially injuring occupants.

The Cause Of The Problem: Corrosion inside the inflator vessel, which was caused by moisture introduced into the vessel during the supplier’s manufacturing process and aggravated by
thermal cycling in high-temperature climate regions

Vehicles Affected Include
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM’s number for this recall is N202324251 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-504.

2014 Tesla Model S Lemon Law Buyback

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Our client bought a 2014 Tesla Model S and was thrilled.

Their first visit for servicing was on December 7, 2017. There was a 12 volt alert present. The headlights were aimed too high and would not adjust. The windshield washer jets were misaligned. The firmware was not installing. The A/C was not working. The vehicle would not charge with the customer’s cable. The vehicle was pulling slightly to the right. Car uses more energy on short drives than the range estimates.

The next visit was on December 11th as the floor mats were folding over.

The Tesla was brought in again on March 8, 2018 because the universal mobile connector would not light up and the vehicle would not charge. Key FOB is not recognized when inside the vehicle. The charge port door will not open with touchscreen or charge cable. The exterior door handle is poorly aligned.

April 10th the vehicle was back for servicing because there was no sound coming from the speakers. There was a problem with the windows not rolling up all the way.

It was back for service on April 24th because the charge port was not functioning.

September 6th it was back for servicing due to the fact that the charge port door would not stay closed and the light does not illuminate when charging. Per bulletin need to replace the bolts in steering rack housing. There was a humming sound coming from the front of the vehicle.

The next visit was on September 17th because the humming sound was still coming from the front of the vehicle. When the parking sensor was pushed in there was a problem. The alert was on for car needs service and the steering assist was reduced. The charge port door magnet was detached from the charge port.

The last visit was on December 10th as the vehicle was towed in for “power reduced” alert.

At this point our client was frustrated and contacted our firm to see what the attorney thought about his Tesla being a lemon.

We filed a demand letter with Tesla that they repurchase his defective vehicle under the California Lemon Law. They agreed to repurchase the vehicle, pay off the balance, reimburse him for any down payment and payments made, pay off the balance less a mileage fee allowed under the California Lemon Law.

Our client was very happy with the buyback of his vehicle. If you think you might be driving a lemon please contact The Law Office of Barry L. Edzant at 888-395-3666 for a free consultation.

Chevrolet Silverado And GMC Sierra 2500/3500 – Potential Engine Fire

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General Motors have identified a problem affecting certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 trucks manufactured with the Duramax diesel 6.6 litre engine and the optional block-heater power cable.

Contamination of the sealing surface of the block-heater heater element can allow a coolant leak to develop. If leaking coolant contacts the block heater cable terminals while the cable is plugged into an energy source a short could occur.

In February 2021, a GM quality manager submitted a report to GM’s Speak Up For Safety program after inspecting an engine-block heater recovered from a 2019 model year Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The owner reported sparking from under the hood after the engine block heater was plugged in. The block heater was leaking coolant, and the engineer observed thermal damage at the connection between the heater and the block heater power cable. This vehicle had previously been fixed for this condition under NHTSA recall 19V-328.

Further investigation identified nineteen potential fires involving engine-block heaters in vehicles remedied under 19V-328. Based on this data, GM opened a formal product investigation and found 122 complaints and 24 reports of potential fires between December 3, 2019 and May 28, 2021 involving vehicles that received the recall remedy under 19V-328. Based on this data GM decided to conduct a safety recall on these vehicles.

Vehicles Affected Include
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500
2017-2019 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will disable the block heater. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. GM’s number for this recall is 212329840 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-496.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave Front Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave SUVs, about a problem that could result in the front air bag not deploying properly. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out beginning of August 2021.

According to the defect report, during a weekly service programming system (SPS) audit, it was discovered that a small number of 2021 Chevy and Buick models may have been manufactured with the incorrect sensing diagnostic module (SDM) data calibration. The data files were corrected in the SPS system and the problem was reported to GM’s safety program. Their investigation found a small number of 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave vehicles may have received the same incorrect data and decided to conduct a safety recall.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of affected vehicles with instructions to update the calibration software in the SDM. GM’s number for this recall is N212340220 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-472

California Lemon Law Buyback For 2016 GMC Acadia

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Our client bought a 2016 GMC Acadia,

In September our client took his Acadia to the authorized GMC Dealership because the A/C on the rear driver’s side and rear passenger side was blowing warm air.

The next visit was on September 25th because the check engine light was on and the vehicle seemed to be idling rough. After filling up the gas the vehicle did not want to start. Also, the A/C stopped working. A light would come on and flash but would not stay solid.

The vehicle was back at the dealership on October 17th because there was a hissing noise coming from the vents and the rear A/C was blowing warm air.

Our client was back at the dealership on December 20th because there was a noise coming from the engine. When turning off the vehicle there is a winding down noise. While using the A/C there is a bubbling noise. Also, the brakes were squeaking and making a bubble noise.

The next visit to the dealership for servicing was on February 6, 2019. The first concern was that when the vehicle was idling and the heater or A/C was on, it was making a bubbling noise. Another concern was the ambient lighting on the front passenger side was inop. The 12 volt charger in the rear was inop. When putting the lift gate up there is a very large clunking noise. The driver’s side door outer belt molding was deformed. The brake pedal was making noises.

The last visit was on February 19th and the ambient lighting on the passenger side by the glove box was inop. They were hearing a light bulb bubble noise from the dash. Also the A/C light button had flashed three times.

It was shortly thereafter that we heard from our soon to be client. They spoke with Barry and sent him some documents to review. Soon after they signed a retainer agreement and a demand letter was sent to General Motors Corporation to repurchase their vehicle under the California Lemon Law. GMC agreed to buyback the Acadia, pay off the balance, reimburse him for the down payment and any payments made, pay off the balance less the mileage fee allowed under the California Lemon Law. They also paid all the attorney fees.

Our client was very happy with the buyback of his vehicle. If you think you might be driving a lemon because of repeat problems that the dealership is unable to fix, please call 888-395-3666 for a free consultation.