Harley Davidson FL Trike Motorcycles – Unexpected Braking

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Harley Davidson (HD) will be contacting the owners of certain 2019-2020 FL trike model motorcycles because of a problem affecting the traction control system software. The software used on these motorcycles may react incorrectly to a faulty rear wheel speed signal by activating one of the rear brakes. If this happens, the driver will experience an unexpected change in direction, increasing the risk of an accident. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through a continuously illuminated traction control indicator in conjunction with the fault indicator lamp.

Motorcycles Affected
2019-2020 Harley Davidson FLHTCUTG
2020 Harley Davidson FLHTCUTGSE
2019-2020 Harley Davidson FLRT

Owners receiving notices will be asked to visit their HD dealer to confirm their motorcycle is covered by the recall. If covered, the dealer will install a new software.

2019-2020 Mazda 3 Unintended Braking

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Mazda will be contacting owners of certain 2019-2020 Mazda 3 cars because of a programming error affecting the forward collision avoidance system.

According to the defect report, incorrect programming of the smart braking system (SBS) control software may cause the vehicle to falsely detect an obstacle and apply the brakes to avoid a collision. If the SBS is unexpectedly activated while driving, the risk of a rear end collision from the following vehicle is possible. Drivers will be warned when the defect is occurring through an audible alarm and a warning message displayed on the dash board.

Dealers will correct the problem by updating the SBS software. Vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner’s manual. The recall is expected to begin February 17, 2020. Mazda’s number for this recall is 4219L and the NHTSA campaign number is 19V-907.

Is The Manufacturer Directly Liable For Breach Of The Express CPO Warranty?

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Last month, an important case, for the first time put manufacturers on the hook for sales of used vehicles with problems beginning outside of the original manufacturer’s warranty, but still within the Certified Pre-Owned warranty. It has been unclear for years whether a manufacturer was required to buy back a used vehicle when the problems occurred after the original warranty expired.  As long as the problems still occur during the CPO warranty, they’re subject to the lemon law.  On the caveat, if the vehicle wasn’t purchased as a Certified Pre Owned vehicle, the manufacturer is off the hook if the problem occurs for the first time outside of the original warranty.  The concern with this case, if any, would be that the Certified Pre-Owned program given by all manufacturers may be canceled since the manufacturers don’t want the added responsibility.

The case involves the sale of a certified preowned Mercedes Benz that still had a portion of the new vehicle warranty remaining and an additional used vehicle warranty from the manufacturer. An un-repairable defect manifested after the expiration of the new vehicle warranty, but during the duration of the used vehicle warranty. Mercedes Benz refused to repurchase the vehicle. The plaintiff sued and a jury found Mercedes Benz liable under the Song Beverly Act for breach of the express warranty and the implied warranty of merchantability. The plaintiff was awarded the same compensatory damages on both causes of action.

Click Here to read a transcript of the case.

2019 Subaru Ascent, Crosstrek And Forester Increased Tailpipe Exhaust

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Subaru will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 Ascent, Crosstrek and Forester SUVs regarding a problem affecting the engine in their vehicle.

According to the defect report, the material used for the PCV valve case was changed from aluminum to steel on the engine production line beginning October 2018. The difference in metal combined with heating and cooling experienced during regular vehicle use could cause a gap to develop between the PCV washer and valve case. In addition, other components surrounding the PCV case could press into the case, potentially contributing to the separation of the valve components over time. If this happens, oil will enter the engine combustion chamber, changing the appearance and/or amount of tailpipe exhaust. If the vehicle continues to be driven under these conditions, drivers may experience a complete loss of engine power.

Dealers will inspect the PCV valve, and if the valve has separated, the short block engine will be replaced. Subaru’s number for this recall is WUW-08 and the NHTSA campaign number is 19V-856.

Is Your 2017 Chevrolet Camaro A Lemon?

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The Camaro is a mid-size American sports car manufactured by Chevrolet. Despite having good performance ratings and respectable features, the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ranks average in the class of sports cars. Drivers say it has high maintenance costs compared to its rivals and the passenger and cargo space is lacking. If you research the 2017 Camaro on the NHTSA website, you will see there is only one recall, but owner complaints are high.

The number one complaint of the 2017 Chevy Camaro is steering. Drivers say the power steering warning light will intermittently illuminate while driving at various speeds, the power steering will fail and excessive force is needed to maneuver the vehicle. In February 2019 GM released a recall affecting the 2017 Camaro for loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist. The problem was a manufacturing error which caused a short on the EPS printed circuit board in the steering assembly. The recall affected over 26,000 Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles.

There are no recalls affecting the transmission for the 2017 Camaro, but drivers say they are continually experience problems. Hard shifting, noises and hesitation are especially noticeable between 55 to 85 mph, making it dangerous for highway driving and during critical maneuvers. There are over eighty TSBs issued by the manufacturer affecting the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro transmission.

The third top complaint of the 2017 Chevy Camaro is interior and exterior accessory problems. Complaints include windows that fog up, the radio and blue tooth stop working, the key gets stuck in the ignition and general lighting problems. The manufacturer wants you to believe that these are minor issues, but don’t be fooled, these problems can impair the use, value and safety of your vehicle.

Do you think your 2017 Chevrolet Camaro could be a LEMON?… Contact us now for a free case evaluation.

Infiniti Q50 Hybrid Common Problems

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Of all the Infiniti Q50 vehicles, the 2014 hybrid model has the highest number of manufacturer recalls and owner complaints. The systems with the highest defects include steering, electrical, air bags and braking.

Steering problems is the number one driver complaint of the 2014 Q50 hybrid. The vehicles Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) is an advanced “steer by wire” system developed to enhance feel and feedback, but drivers say it is unpredictable and unreliable. Temporary loss of steering because the system goes out of calibration and resets, the vehicle unexpectedly pulls left or right and the vehicle fails to steer in the intended direction, are also common complaints.

Repeated failure of the electrical equipment on the 2014 Q50 hybrid have owners frustrated. The top complaint is unexpected software shutdowns which leave drivers without an instrument panel, climate control and audio control. The vehicle must be shut off and restarted before it can be restored. Failure of the vehicle sensors is common as well. These sensors are used throughout the vehicle to help the driver maintain safety while driving. If they are not working properly it can cause unexpected problems with the Occupant Classification System (OCS), driver assist and the backup camera system.

Airbag problems are a common complaint on many many vehicle makes and models, and the Infiniti Q50 hybrid is not immune. Errors affecting the OCS have drivers concerned about their passenger safety, even after having the Air Bag Control Unit and the OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) reprogrammed under NHTSA recall 16V-244

According to some 2014 Q50 owners, the electronic braking system in their vehicles have made their cars difficult to handle. Brake booster pump failures cause reduced braking power and longer stopping distances, and the emergency collision warnings and impact mitigation activates while driving, making it difficult to avoid collisions or make quick maneuvers around obstacles.

Do you think your Infiniti Q50 is a LEMON?… Fill out the above form or call us now for a free case evaluation.

Nissan Brake Fluid Leak Could Result In Fire

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Nissan will be asking the owners of certain 2015-2019 Infiniti and Nissan vehicles, equipped with ADVICS ABS actuators, to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the braking system. These vehicles were previously recalled under NHTSA campaign number 18V-601, but were not repaired. This new recall (19V-807) also expands the previous population. The affected models include:

  • 2017-2019 Infiniti QX60
  • 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima
  • 2015-2018 Nissan Murano
  • 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder

Due to manufacturing variation, the ABS actuators may contain an oil seal with inadequate sealing performance. The seal could prematurely wear and leak brake fluid. If this occurs, the ABS warning lamp will illuminate to warn the driver, but if the warning is ignored, the brake fluid leak could create an electrical short in the actuator circuit. In rare instances, this could lead to a fire.

Note: When brake fluid leaks onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine is started. If this occurs, owners should park their vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Is Your Cadillac Escalade A Lemon?

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The Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV engineered and manufactured by Cadillac. It was Cadillac’s first major entry into the luxury SUV market in response to competition from Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Ford. Today, Cadillac makes their Escalade in an EXT, ESV and a hybrid version as well.

The 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade models have received some of the highest complaints and recalls of all the model years. Although there have been no recalls for transmission problems, complaints are common. Drivers say there is a “distinct clunking and surging when accelerating and decelerating, and the transmission becomes stuck in gear.” The 2015 Cadillac models have 167 manufacturer communications / TSB’s affecting the power train, many which recommend flushing and changing the transmission fluid. The problem is a common complaint with many 2015-2019 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC owners and is part of an ongoing class action lawsuit between vehicle owners and GM.

Drivers of certain 2015-2020 Cadillac Escalade vehicles believe that shaking and vibrations are caused by the same transmission defect, but some attorneys say the symptoms are caused by a defective drive shaft. The problem has been so wide spread, it has been coined “The Chevy Shake”. A few owners say they fixed the problem by replacing the aluminum drive shaft with a custom steel drive shaft, but GM continues to replace parts with the same defective parts.

Electrical defects are common in many newer Cadillac Escalade models. Heating and air conditioning are the top, with exterior lighting and software problems following close behind. Other complaints include: thermostat gives wrong information or just doesn’t work, no control of audio, Bluetooth intermittently disconnects, complete failure of the instrument cluster, repeated electrical shorts and temporary loss of the electric power steering.

Do you think your Cadillac Escalade could be a LEMON?… Fill out the above form or call us now for a free case evaluation.