As the use of electric and hybrid vehicles increase, and the fuel efficiency of newer vehicles becomes better, states are finding that the per-gallon fuel tax is no longer generating enough income to fund road maintenance and operations. In response to the declining revenue, late last year California legislature approved a Bill to examine the implementation of a road usage charge.

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One month after purchasing a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, a California resident found herself visiting a Chrysler dealership for repairs. Defects affecting the transmission, transaxle, engine, suspension, water pump, and driver’s door, required five (5) additional repair opportunities, one of which resulted in the disassembling of the engine and major drive components. Despite being in the shop for 17 days, there was no improvement in the vehicle. That is when she decided to contact the Law Offices of Delsack & Assoc., P.C. Continue reading

A defect affecting certain 2016 Kia Sorento vehicles could result in the illumination of the check engine light and/or electronic stability control indicator light. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, a capacitor on the accelerator pedal assembly may have been improperly soldered at the manufacturer. This problem could result in a fault code indicating the senor circuit is open or shorted, forcing the vehicle into Limp Home Mode or Forced Idle Mode. If this happens, the driver will be permitted only minimal vehicle acceleration, increasing the risk of an accident. Continue reading

A small number of 2014 FJ Cruiser owners will be notified by Toyota to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the steering system. According to reports, a joint in the intermediate shaft may have received an inadequate weld due to improperly maintained welding equipment at the supplier. If the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the weld could separate, resulting in complete loss of steering control and an increased risk of an accident. Continue reading

A defect affecting certain 2012-2013 Dodge Durango and 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV’s, will have 338,216 vehicle owners returning to their dealership for repairs. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, excessive heat could deform a contact spring within the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) resulting in failure of the fuel pump relay. Drivers may experience stalling, difficult starting, and an eventual no start condition. Continue reading

A defect affecting certain 2014 Chevrolet Impala cars will have over one thousand owners returning to their dealerships a second time for repairs. According to reports, some Impala’s repaired under recall 14V-541 may have existing electronic parking brake software that will cause the brake pads to stay partially engaged with the rotor. The driver may experience poor vehicle acceleration, undesired deceleration, excessive brake heat, and premature wear to some brake components. (The park brake indicator may not illuminate even though the parking brake is engaged.) Continue reading

If you are the owner of a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you are probably aware of the repeated problems experienced by many drivers. With over four hundred complaints and eight recalls, this model year Grand Cherokee has gained a reputation as a lemon vehicle. Airbag, electrical, electronic stability control (ECS), vehicle speed control, and brake problems have been blamed for unsafe driving conditions and accidents on several occasions. Continue reading

A new legislation introduced to the senate this week, would force states to inform drivers about safety recalls on their vehicles and require them to have repairs done before renewing their registration. The Repair Every Car to Avoid Lost Lives, or RECALL Act, has been introduced to address the millions of vehicles that have unfixed recalls and concerns that less that 70% of vehicle repairs are done within 18 months of being recalled. The bill has already received support from several consumer groups including the Center for Auto Safety, the Consumer Federation of America, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and even some automakers.