2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Airbag Electrical Problem

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The owners of certain 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravans will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding an electrical problem affecting the airbag system. Some vehicles may experience a trapped steering wheel wire harness between the steering wheel back cover and the horn plate. Over time the wire insulation could wear through and short, resulting in inadvertent deployment of the driver airbag. Warnings that there may be a problem include: Illuminated airbag warning light, unintended wiper operation, inoperable steering wheel switch, inoperable speed control switch, and/or an inoperable multi-function switch.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers who will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel and replace it as necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. For more information about the problem, owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is T33 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-376.

2016-2017 Toyota Tachoma Engine Stalls And Misfires

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The owners of certain 2016-2017 Toyota Tachoma trucks, equipped with a six-cylinder engines, will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the crank position sensor. According to the defect report, some crankshaft rotors may have been produced with an anti-corrosion coating containing a greater concentration of silica which increased the coating thickness. This may cause potential interference with the crank position sensor and could generate a static charge, causing the crank position sensor to malfunction. In this condition, the vehicle may display a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), misfire, or in some instances, stall.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Toyota dealers to have th position sensor replaced with an improved design. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0H and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-356.

2013 Ford Fiesta Ca Lemon Law Buyback

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The owner of a 2013 Ford Fiesta contacted the Law Offices Of Delsack & Associates P.C. after repeated complaints and three (3) repair attempts at her Ford dealer. She told us she suspected her transmission was defective as it would slip, shudder and hesitate while driving and she questioned whether her vehicle was eligible for a buyback under the California Lemon Law. After analyzing her case by reviewing the repair orders and purchase contract, we determined that she had a valid claim to have the vehicle repurchased.

A short time after filing our demand, Ford agreed to buy back the 2013 Fiesta. They paid our clients purchase balance, reimburse her down payment and monthly payments, and paid her attorney’s fees. Ford was allowed to deduct a usage fee as allowed under the California Lemon Law.

Our client was thrilled to get rid of her dangerous vehicle and be reimbursed for the monies she had paid.

2015-2017 Audi A7 Airbag Deployment Problem

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Volkswagen will be contacting the owners of certain 2015-2017 Audi A7‘s because these vehicles may fail to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for airbag deployment. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, a production error may have resulted in incorrect folding of the head curtain airbags. This could increase the risk of injury to passengers in the event of an accident.

Audi dealers will correct the problem by replacing the affected head curtain air bags. The recall is expected to begin June 29, 2017. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s number for the recall is 69R2 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-293.

Defective 2014 Fiat 500L – CA Lemon Law Buyback

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Shortly after purchasing a 2014 Fiat 500L in June 2014, the owner was returning to her dealership with car problems. She subsequently provided FCA eight (8) more repair opportunities that kept her vehicle out of service for over 90 days. When she contacted the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. she told us her vehicle had numerous problems which included:

  • The transmission, electrical and ignition system were defective;
  • Both the body control module and power train control module had been replaced;
  • The check engine light always remained on;
  • There was a burning smell from the engine;
  • The vehicle had been recalled for a drivers side knee airbags that may not deploy properly; and
  • The vehicle had been recalled for a transmission that was slow to shift or wouldn’t shift at all.

After trying unsuccessfully to have these defects repaired until March 28, 2016 , our client retained us to represent her in her demand for a buyback. Within a short time our firm was able to negotiate a repurchase of the defective vehicle. Our client was reimbursed for her down payment, monthly payments, and registration. FCA additionally paid her purchase balance in full and her attorney’s fees. The manufacturer was allowed to deduct a usage fee as allowed under the California Lemon Law, but the amount was minimal. Our client was thrilled with the outcome and happy to be rid of her defective Fiat 500L.

2017 Buick Lacrosse Suspension Toe Link Assemblies

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General Motors have announced that certain 2017 Buick Lacrosse vehicles may have a problem relating to motor vehicle safety. According to the defect report, the rear suspension toe links may have been installed incorrectly and could allow the outboard attachment bolt to loosen and fall out. If a rear-suspension toe-link becomes disconnected the driver may lose the ability to control the vehicle, especially at higher speeds.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealer to have the left and right rear suspension toe-link assemblies inspected and correctly installation as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Buick’s customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM’s number for this recall is 17168 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-267.

2014 Chevrolet Traverse Repurchased For Safety Defects

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After his second (2) unsuccessful repair attempt, the owner of a defective 2014 Chevrolet Traverse contacted our law offices for advice and to retain our firm. He told us his vehicle had several manufacturing non-comformities affecting the engine and safety systems. The engine would periodically lose power; the check engine, traction control and airbag warning lights would remain on; and the passenger front safety belt anchor and restraint system were defective.

We analyzed our client’s potential lemon law case by reviewing the repair orders and lease contract, and determined that he had a valid claim to have the vehicle bought back. Shortly after filing our demand, GM agreed to repurchase the 2014 Chevrolet Traverse, pay off the balance of the lease and reimburse our client for his down payment and monthly payments. GM also paid our client’s attorney’s fees. The only cost was a usage fee as allowed under the California Lemon Law.

Our client could not have been happier to get rid of the dangerous vehicle and be reimbursed for the monies he had paid.

2016 Tesla Model S & Model X Parking Brake Warnings

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Tesla will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Model S and Model X sports cars about a manufacturing problem affecting the braking system. According to the defect report, the Brembo electric parking brake calipers on some Tesla vehicles may have been improperly manufactured and could fracture. If this gear fractures, the electric motor will be unable to move the brake pad and the parking brake caliber will not release. When attempting to release the parking brake, an alert will appear that reads “Parking Brake Did Not Release – Contact Tesla Service.” When applying the brake, an alert will appear that reads “Parking Brake Needs Service – Car May Be Free Rolling.”

Those receiving notices can return to their Tesla service center to have the electric parking brake calipers replaced. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-17-33-002 and the NHTSA campaign number is 170-260.