California Lemon Law blog – A blog by the Law Office of Edzant Price LLP

Owners of several popular full-size GM SUVs may soon receive a recall notice tied to a potentially serious wheel hub safety issue. General Motors has announced a new safety recall affecting certain 2025–2026 luxury and SUV models equipped with 24-inch wheels after discovering that incorrect bolts may have been installed on the front wheel hubs.

The recall has been assigned NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-304 and impacts approximately 2,464 vehicles across the United States.

What Is the Problem?

According to GM, some affected vehicles may have been serviced using incorrect front wheel hub bolts. The issue specifically involves vehicles equipped with 24-inch wheels where dealers may have reused production-installed bolts during installation of an accessory brake package or while servicing front wheel hub bearings.

Over time, these incorrect bolts can loosen, deform, or potentially break.

If one bolt loosens or fails while driving, excessive stress can be transferred to the remaining bolts. In severe cases, this could lead to partial loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.

GM states that the problem originated from incorrect service information and accessory brake kit instructions that failed to specify unique fasteners required for vehicles equipped with 24-inch wheels.

Vehicles Included in Recall 26V-304

The following vehicles may be affected:

Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac Escalade ESV
Chevrolet Suburban 1500
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Yukon
GMC Yukon XL

Only certain vehicles equipped with 24-inch wheels are included in the recall population.

Warning Signs Drivers May Notice

GM says drivers of affected vehicles could experience symptoms before a failure occurs, including:

Noise coming from the front wheel area
Vibration felt through the steering wheel or chassis
Unusual wheel hub movement or instability

Drivers noticing these symptoms should have their vehicle inspected immediately.

How GM Discovered the Issue

GM’s investigation began in April 2026 after a product investigator identified that accessory brake package kits (RPO 5JL) lacked separate instructions and special fasteners required for vehicles equipped with 24-inch wheels.

The automaker also discovered that its electronic parts catalog (EPC) failed to identify the proper replacement bolts during front hub bearing service procedures.

GM received seven field complaints potentially related to this condition between January 2025 and April 2026. Despite the complaints, GM reports that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries connected to the defect.

On May 7, 2026, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) approved a formal safety recall.

What Dealers Will Do

To correct the issue, GM dealers will:

Inspect affected vehicles
Replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts with the correct parts

Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing on June 29, 2026.

Recall Information

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-304
GM Recall Number: N262554630
Vehicles Potentially Affected: 2,464

Owners of certain Jeep Cherokee vehicles may be facing a serious drivetrain issue that could lead to sudden loss of power while driving. Chrysler parent company FCA US LLC has officially recalled certain 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee models due to potential failure of the Power Transfer Unit (PTU).

The issue has been under investigation for years and has now resulted in multiple recalls, government inquiries, warranty claims, and at least one reported accident and injury.

What Is the Jeep Cherokee PTU Problem?

According to FCA, some 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles were built with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) that may fail internally. The PTU is a critical drivetrain component used in four-wheel-drive systems. When the PTU fails, it can cause:

Sudden and unrecoverable loss of motive power
Vehicle rolling while in PARK
Unexpected drivability problems at any speed

FCA warns that these failures can occur without warning and may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Symptoms of a Failing PTU

Drivers may notice warning signs before complete failure occurs. FCA says symptoms can include:

Service 4WD Warning Message: A “Service 4WD” message may appear on the dashboard.
Noise or Vibration: Some owners report grinding noises, vibration, or unusual drivetrain sounds.
Changes in Drive Quality: Drivers may notice hesitation, jerking, binding, or inconsistent power delivery.

However, FCA also warns that some failures may happen suddenly without significant warning.

The suspect production period began on December 12, 2018 and continued through February 24, 2023.

Vehicles outside the recall population may:

Use a different PTU design
Not have a PTU installed
Have been manufactured before the suspect period

A Problem Years in the Making

The PTU issue did not appear overnight. FCA and government safety agencies have been investigating similar Jeep Cherokee drivetrain failures for years.

Recall History Timeline

The Jeep Cherokee PTU issue has been developing for several years through multiple recalls and investigations. In June 2020, FCA issued Recall W47 (NHTSA 20V-343) for certain 2014–2017 Jeep Cherokee vehicles due to PTU input spline failures. The problem expanded in April 2023 when FCA launched Recall 45A (NHTSA 23V-302), adding more 2016–2017 models to the recall population. In January 2025, FCA issued Recall 01C (NHTSA 25V-011) for certain 2017–2019 Jeep Cherokees involving improperly seated PTU snap rings that could also lead to drivetrain failure. By January 2026, FCA had opened yet another investigation into PTU failures affecting 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles, further widening concerns surrounding the reliability and safety of the PTU system.

FCA launched another investigation into PTU failures affecting 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.

By April 2026, FCA reported:

387 warranty claims
9 customer assistance records
5 field reports
16 service records
1 reported accident
1 reported injury

On April 30, 2026, FCA officially determined that a safety defect exists in certain affected vehicles.

Recall Information

The current recall identifiers are:

FCA Recall Number: 40D
NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-290

At this time, the final repair solution is still under development. FCA says interim owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning June 25, 2026. Additional notices will be sent once a permanent remedy becomes available.

What Should Jeep Cherokee Owners Do?

If you own a 2019–2023 Jeep Cherokee, especially a four-wheel-drive model, it may be wise to:

Watch for warning lights or drivetrain symptoms.
Do Not ignoring vibration or unusual noises.

Because the defect can potentially cause sudden loss of motive power or vehicle movement while parked, owners should take any PTU-related symptoms seriously.

Final Thoughts

The Jeep Cherokee PTU issue has evolved from isolated drivetrain complaints into a major multi-year safety investigation involving NHTSA, and FCA US. With hundreds of reported incidents and multiple recall expansions over several model years, affected owners should stay informed and monitor recall updates closely as FCA develops a final repair solution.

General Motors has issued a serious safety recall and “Do Not Drive” warning affecting a small number of 4WD and AWD Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles after discovering a defect that could cause the front or rear wheels to lock up without warning while driving.

The issue centers around defective transfer case assemblies that may have been built without a critical oil pickup tube — a component necessary to properly lubricate internal bearings inside the transfer case. Without lubrication, the transfer case can fail suddenly, potentially causing wheel lock-up and increasing the risk of a crash.

Which GM Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall impacts certain:

2026 Cadillac Escalade
2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2026 Chevrolet Suburban
2026 Chevrolet Tahoe
2026 GMC Sierra 1500
2026 GMC Yukon
2026 GMC Yukon XL

The recall also includes certain 2015–2020 model year:

Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac Escalade ESV
GMC Yukon
GMC Yukon XL

Only vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) are affected. Rear-wheel-drive-only vehicles do not use the same transfer case and are not included in the recall.

What Is Causing the Wheel Lock-Up Problem?

According to GM’s defect report, the issue stems from manufacturing errors at a supplier facility during assembly line process changes.

GM says standardized assembly procedures and quality control protocols were not properly followed, allowing some transfer case assemblies to leave the factory without the oil pickup tube installed. Normally, built-in error-proofing systems would detect and reject incomplete assemblies, but those safeguards were bypassed.

Without the oil pickup tube:

Transfer case bearings may not receive proper lubrication.
Internal components can overheat or seize.
The transfer case can fail suddenly.
Front and/or rear wheels may lock up while driving.

Drivers May Hear Grinding Noises Before Failure

GM says some drivers may notice a grinding sound before the wheels lock up. However, the wheel lock-up could also occur with little or no warning. A sudden wheel lock-up at highway speeds could result in loss of vehicle control and significantly increase the risk of a crash.

How GM Discovered the Problem

The issue first came to light on April 14, 2026, when a GM engineer submitted a report through the company’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program after reviewing a failed transfer case from a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that experienced wheel lock-up in a parking lot.

A teardown inspection revealed the transfer case was missing the oil pickup tube entirely.

GM officially opened a product investigation on April 17, 2026.

Using supplier end-of-line torque testing data, GM identified:

68 suspect transfer case assemblies
46 assemblies installed in 2026 production vehicles
1 suspect service replacement transfer case shipped for repairs involving older 2015–2020 vehicles
54 dealerships that may have received the suspect replacement parts
21 vehicles that may have received defective replacement transfer cases during service repairs

GM’s investigation identified four field complaints potentially related to the defect. At this time, GM says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to the issue. GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority approved the recall on April 30, 2026.

What Owners Should Do

GM is urging affected owners not to drive their vehicles until the recall inspection and repair have been completed. Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing on June 22, 2026.

Recall Information

GM Recall Number: N262557620
NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-289

Owners of certain 2024–2026 Mercedes-Benz vehicles may soon receive an important safety notice tied to a software issue that can cause the instrument cluster display to fail while driving. The recall, filed under NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-281, affects an estimated 144,049 vehicles across several Mercedes-Benz and AMG model lines.

According to Mercedes-Benz AG, the issue involves the software inside the vehicle’s infotainment control unit. Under certain conditions, the system may trigger repeated resets as part of an intended fallback behavior. During the reset process, critical driver information displayed in the instrument cluster may temporarily disappear.

What Is the Problem?

Mercedes-Benz says the infotainment control unit software may initiate an unexpected system reset while the vehicle is in motion. Although the reset is part of the system’s design, it can briefly interrupt the display of driving-related information.

During the reset process, drivers may temporarily lose visibility of important information such as:

Vehicle speed
Warning indicators
Driver assistance information
Navigation or system alerts
Other instrument cluster data

Because the driver may be unable to see critical information during the interruption, the issue increases the risk of a crash.

No Advance Warning Before the Failure

One concerning aspect of this recall is that drivers typically will not receive any warning before the issue occurs.

Mercedes-Benz states that due to the nature of the failure mechanism, the system reset can happen without prior notification. When it occurs, drivers may notice the instrument cluster briefly going blank or restarting.

Vehicles Included in the Recall

The recall affects certain 2024–2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles, including the following models:

2025–2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 4MATIC
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E 4MATIC+
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E PERFORMANCE 4MATIC+
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 4MATIC
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 4MATIC Cabriolet
2024–2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 4MATIC+
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 4MATIC+ Cabriolet
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 4MATIC+
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Wagon
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 53 E 4MATIC+
2025–2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43
2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 4MATIC Coupe
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 Coupe
2025–2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 S E 4MATIC+
2025–2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 S E 4MATIC+ Coupe
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT43
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL43
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL55 4MATIC+
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL63 4MATIC+
2026 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL63 S E PERFORMANCE 4MATIC+

What Is Mercedes-Benz Doing to Fix the Issue?

Mercedes-Benz dealers will correct the issue by updating the infotainment control unit software.

The repair will be performed free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning June 26, 2026.

What Owners Should Do

If you own one of the affected vehicles, you should:

Watch for an official recall notice from Mercedes-Benz.
Contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer to confirm recall eligibility.
Schedule the software update once parts and repair procedures become available.
Pay close attention to any unusual instrument cluster behavior while driving.

Drivers who experience repeated display interruptions should consider limiting vehicle use until the software update is completed.

Final Thoughts

Modern luxury vehicles rely heavily on integrated digital systems, and this recall highlights how even intended software behaviors can create unexpected safety concerns. A brief loss of instrument cluster visibility may seem minor, but when critical driving information disappears at highway speeds or in heavy traffic, the consequences can become serious very quickly. Mercedes-Benz owners affected by NHTSA Recall 26V-281 should take the issue seriously and schedule the repair as soon as it becomes available.

Owners of certain electric vehicles from Stellantis should be aware of a newly announced safety defect involving the instrument panel display system in select 2024–2025 model year vehicles. The recall affects certain versions of the Jeep Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger Daytona electric vehicles and has been assigned NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-262. According to recall documents, approximately 20,271 vehicles may be affected.

What Is the Problem?

According to the recall report, affected vehicles may experience a software-related failure that causes the digital instrument cluster display to stop functioning properly.

Modern EVs rely heavily on digital displays for critical vehicle information, and in these vehicles the issue may prevent drivers from seeing important warnings and status indicators, including:

Brake system warning lights
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warnings
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerts
Gear selection indicators
Other federally required safety information

Because these warnings may not appear, the vehicles may no longer comply with several Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), including:

FMVSS No. 108 – Lamps and reflective devices
FMVSS No. 126 – Electronic stability control
FMVSS No. 135 – Brake systems
FMVSS No. 138 – Tire pressure monitoring systems
FMVSS No. 208 – Occupant crash protection

Why This Recall Matters

Unlike cosmetic software glitches or infotainment bugs, this issue directly affects the driver’s ability to monitor the vehicle’s safety systems. If the instrument panel display fails, a driver may unknowingly continue operating the vehicle while critical systems are malfunctioning or while warning conditions exist. For example:

A braking system warning may not appear.
ESC faults may go unnoticed.
Tire pressure warnings could be hidden.
Drivers may not clearly see gear selection status.

The concern is not necessarily that the vehicle instantly becomes unsafe, but rather that drivers may lose the warning systems designed to alert them before a dangerous situation develops. Operating the vehicle without these safety warnings increases the risk of a crash.

How the Investigation Started

The issue was formally investigated by FCA US in March 2026. According to the chronology provided in recall documents:

On March 10, 2026, FCA US Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) opened an investigation into reports of inoperative instrument panel clusters in affected vehicles.
Throughout March and April 2026, engineers reviewed the issue and analyzed possible failure modes.
On April 1, 2026, FCA US identified a vehicle build-related issue connected to the instrument panel failures.
On April 16, 2026, the company officially determined that the vehicles did not comply with several federal safety standards.

The recall was then issued under FCA recall number 39D and NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-262. .

Which Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall applies to certain:

2024–2025 Jeep Wagoneer S models
2024–2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EV models

What Is the Fix?

Fortunately, the repair appears relatively straightforward. Dealers will correct the issue by performing a software update to the instrument panel system. No hardware replacement has been announced at this time.

Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing on May 21, 2026.

What Owners Should Do

If you own one of the affected vehicles:

Watch for recall notices from FCA/Stellantis.
If your vehicle is affected, schedule the software update with your dealer once procedures are available.
Pay close attention to any unusual instrument panel behavior in the meantime.

Drivers experiencing intermittent blank screens, missing warning lights, or display glitches should consider having the vehicle inspected promptly.

A Reminder About Modern EV Complexity

This recall highlights how dependent modern electric vehicles have become on software-controlled systems and digital interfaces. In many new EVs, the instrument cluster is no longer just a speedometer — it acts as a central communication hub for safety-critical information. As automakers continue transitioning toward software-defined vehicles, recalls involving code, firmware, and digital displays are becoming increasingly common across the automotive industry. While software updates are often easier to deploy than mechanical repairs, failures involving digital dashboards can still create serious safety concerns when critical warning systems disappear from view.

Ford Motor Company has announced a safety defect affecting certain 2024–2026 Ford Ranger vehicles. Some Rangers could experience a wiring issue that can, in rare cases, lead to smoke or fire inside the vehicle.

What’s the Problem?

The issue is tied to the wiring harness connected to the sun visor and headliner. In some vehicles, this wiring may have been installed incorrectly or wrapped with excessive protective tape. These conditions can cause the wiring to become pinched or damaged as it passes through metal openings near the A-pillar, which is the structural area along the windshield. If the wiring becomes damaged and contacts metal, it can create an electrical short. This short may generate heat or sparks, potentially leading to smoke, melting components, or even a fire in the A-pillar area. Any smoke or fire inside a vehicle increases the risk of injury or a crash. Even before a fire occurs, smoke or melting materials can distract the driver or reduce visibility.

While no accidents or injuries have been reported, there has been at least one case involving flames and several others showing signs of smoke or burn damage.

What Caused It?

Ford’s investigation found two main contributing factors. First, excessive tape thickness on the wiring harness can cause it to bind or become damaged when passing through tight metal openings. Second, insufficient controls during installation may allow the wiring to be routed incorrectly, increasing the chance of contact with metal edges.

Over time, damaged wiring can become exposed. Combined with repeated resets of the Body Control Module after a fault, this can lead to ongoing electrical arcing, soot buildup, and eventually a fire risk.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Drivers may notice early warning signs before a more serious issue develops. These include flickering or non-functioning sun visor mirror lights or overhead console lights. These symptoms may indicate a problem with the circuit and should not be ignored.

Timeline of the Investigation

Ford’s investigation began on October 31, 2025, after a fire was reported in the A-pillar area of a 2024 Ranger. Early findings pointed to an electrical short in the sun visor power circuit, confirmed by a diagnostic trouble code. The issue was escalated to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group on November 6, 2025.

Over the following months, engineers reviewed supplier specifications and installation procedures, identifying risks related to wiring thickness and routing. Testing in early 2026 confirmed that materials were not inherently flammable, but electrical system behavior could still lead to fire over time.

By March 20, 2026, Ford had identified multiple reports tied to four vehicles, including one case involving flames. On April 7, 2026, the Field Review Committee approved a field service action.

What’s the Fix?

Ford dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage, replace it if necessary, and update the Body Control Module software. he recall will be carried out in phases. Owners of 2025 model year vehicles will be notified the week of May 31, 2026. Owners of 2026 models will be notified the week of June 29, 2026, followed by 2024 model owners the week of July 27, 2026.

Interim letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed starting April 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the full repair remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026.

Ford has assigned recall number 26S29, and it is listed under NHTSA campaign number 26V-238.

Owners of certain 2021-2025 Ford Bronco SUVs should be aware of a newly announced safety defect affecting the vehicle’s powertrain. Identified under NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-236, this issue impacts approximately 4,922 vehicles and centers around a potentially serious problem with the connection between the transmission and transfer case.

What’s the Problem?

The recall stems from a misalignment that can occur during previous service repairs involving the transmission or transfer case. If these components are not properly aligned when reassembled, it can lead to premature wear of critical internal splines, specifically the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.

Over time, this wear can reduce the ability of these parts to properly transfer power from the engine to the wheels.

Why This Matters

If the spline wear becomes severe, drivers may experience:

Loss of motive power while driving
Failure of the vehicle to properly engage “Park”
Vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied

These conditions significantly increase the risk of a crash, particularly if the issue occurs unexpectedly while driving or when the vehicle is parked on an incline.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Ford notes that affected drivers may notice early warning symptoms before a failure occurs, including:

Grinding noises
Clunking sounds
Unusual vibrations

If you’re experiencing any of these issues—especially after recent drivetrain service—it’s worth getting your vehicle checked immediately.

How Ford Discovered the Issue

Ford first flagged the problem in November 2025 after reviewing warranty claims on 2022–2023 Bronco models reporting noise, vibration, and drive engagement failures. By December, the issue was escalated internally, and a deeper investigation revealed similar cases across 2021-2025 models.

Engineers ultimately determined that improper alignment during past repairs was the root cause. Testing confirmed that even slight misalignment could reproduce the same wear patterns seen in failed components.

To address this, Ford updated its service procedures on February 26, 2026 to ensure proper alignment during repairs going forward.

How Many Vehicles Are Affected?

While nearly 5,000 vehicles in the U.S. had undergone relevant repairs prior to the updated procedures, only a small number of confirmed cases have been reported so far 26 vehicles globally as of March 2026.

What’s the Fix?

Dealers will:

Inspect the transmission-to-transfer case joint
Replace the transmission and/or transfer case if necessary

Recall Timeline

April 27, 2026: Interim notification letters sent to owners
July 2026 (anticipated): Final remedy available and follow-up letters sent

Ford has assigned this recall the internal number 26S26.

What Should You Do?

If you own a 2021–2025 Bronco:

Watch your mail for official recall notifications
Pay attention to any unusual drivetrain noises or behavior
Always use your parking brake when parked (especially on inclines)
Contact your local Ford dealer if you have concerns

Final Thoughts

This recall highlights how even routine service work can introduce issues if not performed precisely—especially in complex drivetrain systems. While the number of confirmed cases is relatively small, the potential safety risks make this an important issue for Bronco owners to take seriously.

Mercedes-Benz has determined that there is a safety defect affecting over 24,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The problem is related to an issue with the drive shaft universal joint. This part plays a critical role in how power is delivered to your wheels, and when it fails, the consequences can be serious.

What Vehicles Are Affected?

This recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-216) applies to select 2018–2020 Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC models, including:

E-Class (Sedan, Wagon, Coupe, Cabriolet)
S-Class (Sedan, Coupe, Convertible)
Maybach S 560 4MATIC

Specifically, models like the E 400, E 450, S 450, S 560, and Maybach S 560 are included.

What’s the Problem?

Mercedes-Benz has identified that increased wear may occur in the universal joint (U-joint) on the drive shaft. This is due to insufficient production parameters from a supplier, which can lead to premature degradation over time.

The real issue begins when:

The U-joint loses lubrication.
Wear accelerates.
The joint can fracture under load.

At that point, the connection between the transfer case and front axle transmission may fail entirely.

Why This Matters (Safety Risk)

If the universal joint fails, the vehicle can experience a sudden loss of propulsion—meaning it may stop delivering power to the wheels without warning.

That creates a dangerous situation:

Loss of acceleration in traffic.
Reduced ability to maneuver.
Increased risk of a crash.

Mercedes-Benz notes that while some warning signs may appear, they are not guaranteed to be noticed before failure.

Warning Signs to Watch For

In some cases, drivers may notice early symptoms such as:

Unusual noises from underneath the vehicle.
Vibrations while driving, especially under acceleration.

However, these signs can be subtle—or completely absent—making this issue particularly concerning.

What Caused the Issue?

The root cause traces back to a supplier manufacturing process that did not meet optimal parameters. Over time, this can result in:

Improper wear patterns.
Reduced durability of the U-joint.
Increased likelihood of failure under normal driving conditions.

What Mercedes-Benz Will Do

Mercedes-Benz dealers will:

Inspect the drive shaft.
Replace it if necessary.
Perform all repairs free of charge.

This recall highlights how even a single component failure within the drivetrain can have major safety implications. If your vehicle is affected, it is worth addressing promptly—even if you have not noticed any symptoms. A quiet drivetrain today does not guarantee it will stay that way tomorrow. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed beginning June 2, 2026.