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Kia has announced a recall for certain 2011 Sorento 2WD vehicles with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines manufactured from the start of production through to May 22, 2010. Because Hyundai uses the same parts in their Santa Fe, the same recall is being made on the 2010 Santa Fe 2WD vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines manufactured from October 2009 to March 2010.

The problem is being blamed on a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear. This misalignment will accelerate wear in the shaft and lead to excessive noise and eventually to a damaged automatic transmission. Dealers will replace the right side output gear and the intermediate shaft beginning this month. Kia owners wanting more information on this recall can contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Hyundai owners can contact Hyundai’s customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.

During April, the sales of small fuel efficient cars made up almost 20% of the automotive sales market, that equates to a 19% increase from a year ago. Governments incentives to have more environmentally friendly vehicles on the road as well as rising fuel prices, has led consumers to re-think the buying of big trucks and SUV’s. Some of the big sellers include the new Ford Focus and the Chevrolet Cruze.

The overall industry is expected to report slightly higher sales, as the market continues to recover from the recession. Automobile and automobile part shortages as well as the lack of discounts will be a big factor in consumers decision to purchase new vehicles. Consumers may decide to keep driving their old vehicles until the deals return.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened up an investigation into Honda’s 2002-2004 CR-V models. There have been 12 reports from consumers alleging that the low beam head lights stopped working at the same time. Several of the complaints reported that the headlight switch and its wiring harness connector needed to be replaced due to overheating damage.

Last September, the NHTSA opened up an investigation for similar problems with Honda’s 2007-2008 Fit vehicles. In December, the investigation lead to a recall. The problem was blamed on an error during installation where the wires were pulled tighter than indended. After repeated use of the headlight switch, a terminal on the switch could become worn leading to the oxidation and low conductivity.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has started an investigation into over 850,000 General Motors SUV’s after receiving complaints of inaccurate fuel gauges. Of the 668 complaints received, 58 said that their vehicle ran out of fuel even though the fuel gauge said there was still fuel in the tank. The vehicles involved in this investigation include:

2005-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
2005-2007 G.M.C. Envoy
2005-2007 Buick Rainier
2005-2007 Saab 9-7x

It’s been a slow recovery, but on Thursday, Chrysler announced that they expect to pay back the $7.5 billion in Government loans by the end of next month. Although the details are still being negotiated, Chrysler hopes to sell new bonds to investors and use that money to help pay back the loans. This will allow Chrysler to strengthen its alliance with Fiat and revamp its operations to gain market shares.

According to Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with the research firm IHS Global Insight, “Tuning up their balance sheet and reducing debt will help Chrysler direct more money towards product development.” First on the list is to add more fuel efficient cars to its truck heavy lineup. The integration of Fiat and Chrysler will speed up the arrival of new Fiat based models to be sold to the American market. Without the psychological and financial drag of the loans Chrysler can start to slowly rebuild its company.

Toyota announced Tuesday that they will be recalling over 50,000 2011 Tundra trucks to inspect the rear drive shaft. The Japanese automaker estimated that about 0.05% of the trucks made may have been fitted with a slip yoke that was improperly cast during the foundry process. There has been one complaint of drive shaft slip yoke failure, but no accidents or injuries have been reported

The owners with recalled vehicles will start receiving notifications starting May, where dealers will inspect the production lot number to see if it has been installed with the problem component. Additional information can be found at www.toyota.com/recall or contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

On Monday, Fiat announced they will be increasing ownership of Chrysler by 16% for a total 46% of the company. Once the auto manufacturers government loans have been paid, Fiat hopes to take a 51% majority stake in Chrysler as early as by the end of this year.

Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of both auto makers, says that this is an important step towards the integration of Fiat and Chrysler, started under two years ago. The result will be the creation of a global auto maker. They have chosen to speed up the pace to bring about the birth of a single group capable of international activities. Fiat outlined its plans after reaching an agreement with Chrysler’s shareholders, which include the U.S. Treasury Department, the United Auto Workers’ health trust fund and the Canadian government. The move shows that there is confidence in Chrysler turning around and becoming a profitable auto manufacturer. It does not mean Chrysler is fixed, it does show that Marchionne believes it is on track.

Here at the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, we represent our clients to the highest legal standards. In over 23 years of helping California consumers, we have successfully represented thousands of clients throughout the state in all types of lemon law cases, with all vehicle manufacturers. We are especially proud of the fact that in more than 9 out of 10 of these cases we are able to reach satisfactory settlements without litigation, making the settlements fast and stress free for our clients. The high standards we have set to represent only those clients with legitimate lemon law claims means that we do not compromise our integrity or reputation. Our goal is not to be the “largest” lemon law firm in California, but to continue to be the best.
Below is a list of some of our most recent success stories where we helped consumers get settlements for their lemons:

1. 2007 GMC Yukon: Full buyback – Garden Grove, CA – 18,166 miles
2. 2007 BMW X5: Full buyback – Sylmar, CA – 59,952 miles
3. 2008 Dodge Ram: Full buy back – Bakersfield, CA – 31,192 miles
4. 2009 Honda CR-V: Full buyback – Alameda, CA – 14,242 miles
5. 2009 Nissan 370Z: Full buyback – Carson, CA – 22,858 miles
6. 2007 Jeep Wrangler: Full buyback – Durham, CA – 37,032 miles
7. 2007 Cadillac Escalade: Cash and Keep – El Dorado Hills, CA – 42,329 miles
8. 2009 BMW 335i: Full buyback – Huntington Beach, CA – 22,084 miles
9. 2010 Audi Q7: Full buyback – Yorba Linda, CA – 7,357 miles
10. 2010 Mini Cooper: Full buyback – San Jose, CA – 1,831 miles
11. 2006 Jaguar S-type: Cash and Keep – Duarte, CA – 66,195 miles
12. 2010 BMW 535i: Full buyback – Long Beach, CA – 17,577 miles
13. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu: Cash and Keep – Riverside, CA – 11,462 miles
14. 2007 Saab 9-3: Full buyback – Tarzana, CA – 25,269 miles
15. 2008 BMW 550i: Full buyback – Orange, CA – 19,919 miles

If you are in California and feel that you may have a lemon, contact our lemon law offices, or fill out our Lemon Law Case Review, for a FREE consultation.

Anywhere in California (free call): 1.888.ExLemon (395.3666)

California Lemon Law in Los Angeles: 310-475-1700
California Lemon Law in San Francisco: 415-285-5366
California Lemon Law in San Diego: 619-229-6900
California Lemon Law in Orange County: 949-856-4333
California Lemon Law in Palm Springs: 760-395-1000
California Lemon Law in San Fernando Valley: 818-837-0500

Author Archives: admin

Kia And Hyundai Recalls Power Train

Small Cars Profitable For Auto Dealers

Honda CR-V Vehicles Experience Headlight Problems

GM Investigates Faulty Fuel Gauges On SUVs

Chrysler To Pay Back Government Loans

Toyota Recalls 2011 Tundra Trucks

Fiat Increases Ownership Of Chrysler

California Lemon Law Buybacks