Porsche will be contacting a small number of 2015 918 Spyder owners about an electrical problem affecting the engine radiator fan. It is possible that the wiring harness for the left rear fan, located in the engine compartment, could make contact with a heat insulation plate. If the wires become damaged, an electrical short could result in a vehicle malfunction and a potential fire. Continue reading
2015 Cadillac ATS & CTS Brake Defect
On June 09, 2015 General Motors announced that they will be asking a small number of 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS owners to return to their dealerships for repairs. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the vehicle service brakes may have been fractured during manufacturing. If the bracket breaks the vehicle service brakes will not function. (The parking brakes will continue to function properly.) Continue reading
2015 Subaru Possible Brake Failure
Subaru will be notifying owners of certain 2015 vehicles about a problem affecting the Eyesight Driver Assist System (EDAS). According to the defect report, the program controlling the system may not detect a fault in one of its associated components. During a brake lamp switch (BLS) failure, the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) correctly detects the failure, but detection by the EDAS will be delayed. If the automatic pre-collision braking system does not function as intended, the vehicle will not react to obstacles, increasing the risk of a crash. Continue reading
2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Belt Safety
General Motors have decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2011-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles and will be asking approximately 437,045 owners to return to their dealerships for repairs. According to the defect report, the flexible steel cable attaching the seat belt to the vehicle could wear and separate over time. Occupants will not be properly restrained, increasing their risk of injury during a crash. Signs that the problem exists include tears, holes, or wear marks on the covering of the cable. Continue reading
NHTSA Promises To More Aggressively Enforce Auto Safety
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have revealed their plans to more aggressively enforce automobile safety after admitting to missing signs of ignition problems affecting millions of GM vehicles. The Administration will be using a team of auto safety system experts who will spend a year advising the NHTSA about implementing new reforms to strengthen its investigation processes, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. Continue reading
2010 GMC Acadia Repeated Repair Attempts
The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. were approached by the owner of a 2010 GMC Acadia who was currently on active military duty in California. He was uncertain whether his vehicle qualified as a lemon because it had been purchased in another state. We explained that the California Lemon Law was expanded in January 2008. It allows military service personnel who have purchased a vehicle outside of California to be protected under the California lemon law if on active duty in the state. Continue reading
2014-2015 Ram 4500 & 5500 Improper Tire Ratings
Chrysler will be notifying owners of certain 2014-2015 Ram 4500 and 2014-2015 Ram 5500 trucks, equipped with 6.4L Hemi engines, about a safety problem that could result in unexpected tire failure. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the affected vehicles may have a maximum governed speed of 106 mph but are equipped with tires that are only rated for 87 mph. Operating the vehicle at speeds above the maximum tire speed rating could result in tire failure and increased chance of an accident. Continue reading
2013-2015 Fiat 500 Unexpectedly Shifts To Neutral
In April 2015, Fiat’s Vehicle Safety And Regulatory Compliance deportment began an investigation into certain 2013-2015 Fiat 500 battery electric vehicles after receiving warranty reports of loss of driving power. A review of the problem found that rapid operation of the cruise control speed adjustment switch or accelerator pedal application, while in cruise control, may set a diagnostic trouble code in the Elective Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU). This code will will force the vehicle into safe mode and automatically shift the vehicle into neutral. Once the fault code is set, a key cycle is required to allow the vehicle to shift out of neutral. Continue reading
