Tesla Overheating Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) Adapters

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Tesla has identified a problem affecting certain Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) adapters and will notify customers to get a replacement. The affected units may have an insufficiently welded electrical connection that could exhibit increased electrical resistance. The vehicle may detect a fault and interrupt charging or the adapter could become hot to the touch.

The charging adapter affected include:

Tesla will notify owners and will provide them with a replacement adapter. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16E-091.

Volkswagen Faked Emissions Test Buybacks

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A settlement between US regulators and Volkswagen will have the automobile manufacturer buying back approximately 20,000 VW, Audi and Porsche 3.0-liter diesel vehicles. The scandal began last year when Volkswagen was caught fitting their vehicles with software used to fool emissions tests. The U.S. Department of Justice reached an agreement with VW for 475,000 2.0-liter diesel cars, giving owners the option to choose a buyback for the full trade in price and reimbursing owners $5,100 to $10,000 each, depending on the age of the car and if they owned it prior to Sept. 18 of last year.

This recent settlement concerns the remaining 80,000, 2009-2016 VW, Audi and Porsche 3.0-liter diesel vehicles. According to U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, the settlement will include a buyback option for approximately 20,000 owners and a substantial compensation on top of any repairs or a buyback. Volkswagen said they believe they can modify the other 60,000 vehicles into compliance with pollution regulations and will not offer a buyback if they can.

In total, Volkswagen will spend up to $10 billion compensating consumers. This includes $2.7 billion for environmental mitigation and $2 billion to promote zero-emissions vehicles. In a separate court filing, Volkswagen has agreed to add at least three additional electric vehicles in California by 2020 and must sell an average of 5,000 electric vehicles annually through 2025. Volkswagen also agreed to pay California’s state air board compensation for $25 million.

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Airbag Defect

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles regarding a problem affecting their vehicles airbag safety. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the right-hand rear side airbag may have weak welds on the inflator manifold. In the event of a right-side impact, this defect can cause inflator components to separate and propel debris or hot gas into the interior compartment. It is also possible that the airbag may inflate partially or not at all.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the rear side airbag module replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 16146 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-870.

Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Seat Belt Safety

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Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles regarding a problem that could cause the front seat belt anchor cable to fail. According to the defect report, the strength of the cable can be degraded due to internal pretensioner temperatures created during deployment. If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury during a crash.

Owners will be notified of the safety issue beginning on January 20, 2017, and a second notice will be mailed when parts become available. For more information about the problem, owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S42 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-875.

2017 Maserati Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte Safety Defects

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The owners of certain 2017 Maserati Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte cars will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding problems affecting the power train, tires, and backup camera.

Power Train Problems: Certain 2017 Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016, to October 12, 2016, may have been built with a rear differential pinion nut that was not torqued to the proper specifications. A loose pinion gear could bind, possibly resulting in the rear wheels locking up while driving. Maserati’s number for this recall is 328 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-856. Continue reading →

2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 & E550 Safety Defect

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Mercedes-Benz (MBUSA) will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 E400 4Matic Coupe, E400 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles, because one of the under body panels may have been manufactured out of specification. Vehicles equipped with dual exhaust systems may not have enough clearance between the catalyst and the panel. High temperatures could melt the panel and under certain conditions result in a fire.

Dealers will inspect and replace the under body panel, as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Mercedes customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-831.

2011-2016 Toyota Sienna Sliding Door May Unexpectedly Open

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A safety defect will have certain 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna owners returning to their dealership for repairs. The subject vehicles are equipped with power sliding doors which rely on certain inputs to open or close the door. There is a possibility that, under certain conditions which impede the opening of the door, such as when the door becomes frozen with ice, the sliding door motor could stall when the door is operated. If the motor stalls, high current in the door motor circuit could be generated, operating the fuse for the door motor. If the fuse is operated with the sliding door latch mechanism in an unlatched position, the door could open while driving.

Owners will be mailed an interim notice for this defect because a remedy is still under development. 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 G04 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-858.

2013 Chrysler 200 California Lemon Law Buyback Help

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The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates P.C. helped the owner of a 2013 Chrysler 200 get a buyback under the California Lemon Law. She purchased the vehicle in February 2013 and had been trying to get it repaired until March 2015.  During this time she provided FCA eight (8) repair opportunities to fix defects and manufacturing non-conformities.  The vehicle would go into limp mode under normal operating conditions; the transmission was difficult to shift, would surge and hesitate; the vehicle would not accelerate over 40 mph; and the A/C was defective and would not work.

Within a short time of retaining our services, our firm was able to negotiate a repurchase of the defective vehicle. Our client was reimbursed for her down payment, monthly payments, and registration, less the mileage deduction fee as allowed under the California lemon law. The manufacturer paid off her vehicle and her attorney’s fees. Our client was delighted with the outcome of her case.

Need help getting rid of your lemon? Contact the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates for advice. We can determine if your vehicle qualifies and help you get it bought back. Call us today at 1-888-395-3666 or fill in and submit the case review form at the top of this page.