General Motors has decided that a small number of 2016 Buick Verano vehicles may have a problem affecting the fuel system. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the engine fuel line assembly was manufactured incorrectly, causing it to be misrouted over the engine. These lines could contact the hot surface of the engine and could fail, causing a fuel leak and a potential engine fire. Continue reading
2013 Chevrolet Camaro Buyback For Engine And Stabiltrac Defects
The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates P.C. were contacted by the owner of a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, who was looking for advice with his vehicle. The car was purchased in December 2014 and returned to a GMC dealership in March 2015 for its first repair attempt. The owner subsequently provided GMC five (5) more repair opportunities for problems that included replaced lifters and piston slap, ticking noises from the engine, stalls, illuminating check engine light, Stabiltrac warnings, and difficulty starting. The vehicle had been out of service, in the hands of a GM approved repair facility, for over 49 days. Continue reading
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Transmission Fluid Leaks
Mitsubishi will be contacting the owners of certain 2015 Outlander Sports vehicles, about a problem affecting the power train system. The hose clamps on the continuously variable transmission (CVT) may not have been released during the assembly process and could disconnect and drain fluid. While the subject transmission hoses are not located near the exhaust manifold or the battery, transmission fluid in the presence of an ignition source could present a fire hazard. Drivers will be alerted to a problem through an illuminated warning indicator and/ or the vehicle may begin to vibrate slightly. Continue reading
2016 RAM Trucks – Main Output Shaft Fracture
Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 RAM 3500, 4500 and 5500 trucks about a problem affecting their vehicles powertrain system. The transfer case main output shaft may have been manufactured misshapen, creating voids that could result in a shaft fracture. If the main output shaft fractures, the vehicle will lose motive power and the driver may be unable to shift into “PARK”.
Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the transfer case. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is S48 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-495.
Infiniti M35 Hybrid System Overheat Condition
Nissan will be contacting the owners of certain 2012-2013 Infiniti M35 hybrid vehicles about a software update affecting the propulsion system. These vehicles are equipped with a power train that warns the driver in the event of a cooling system malfunction. If the warning lamp is ignored and the vehicle continues to be operated, the power train control module logic will shut off the engine to prevent damage. If the engine unexpectedly stops while driving, the brake and steering systems remain operational, however, there is an increased risk of an accident. Continue reading
Chrysler Transmission Unexpectedly Shifts To Neutral
Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain Chrysler, Jeep and RAM vehicles, about a problem affecting their 9-speed automatic transmissions. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, some vehicles may have been built with a trans-axle wire harness with insufficient wire terminal crimps. These crimps could result in a high resistance which will cause the on board diagnostic system to set a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and shift the vehicle into neutral. Continue reading
Another NHTSA Investigation Into Airbag Safety
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have upgraded an investigation into exploding airbag inflators made by ARC Automotive Incorporated after a Canadian woman was killed during a low speed accident. According to a spokesman for Transport Canada, the woman may have survived the accident had she not suffered shrapnel injuries. The NHTSA began looking at ARC airbags last year after reports that an Ohio woman was seriously injured by a rupturing airbag when her 2002 Chrysler Town and Country minivan crashed. Investigators say another injury involving a 2004 Kia Optima also had an ARC inflator installed from the same factory.
The NHTSA are focusing on airbags made between 2000 and September 2004, but do not believe that humidity is the cause of the problem. The probe into the ARC inflators is similar to the Takata issue which resulted in 69 million Takata airbags recalled in the U.S.
View the full details of the NHTSA ARC Airbag Investigation HERE.
CA Lemon Law Buyback For Leased 2013 Fiat 500 Electric
After leasing a 2013 Fiat 500 Electric vehicle in February 2014, the owner found herself returning to an FCA dealership in September 2014 for repairs. She subsequently provided FCA four (4) more opportunities to fix problems, which kept her vehicle out of service for more than 67 days. When she contacted the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates P.C. she told us she was having problems with the:
- Power Inverter Module (PIM)
- ABS system
- Regenerative Braking Controller (RBC)
- Body Control Module (BCM)
- On Board Charging Module (OBCM)
- Propulsion Warning System
