Category Archives: Lemon Alert

2021 Cadillac Escalade Dim Seatbelt And Airbag Warning Lights

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Some 2021 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles may fail to comply to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for controls and displays of the occupant crash protection system.

According to the defect report, the front passenger seat belt and airbag status lights on the overhead console could be unknowingly set to night mode, making them not visible to vehicle occupants.  The body control module (BCM) software in these vehicles may inadvertently set the “night mode” in the daytime when the remote start is used or when the vehicle is turned off and re-started without opening the door for ten minutes.  If night mode is active during the daytime the driver and front passenger may not notice the warning that the seat belt is unbuckled or that the airbag is deactivated.  This problem can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

General Motors will be notifying owners of affected vehicles beginning in February.  Dealers will correct the problem by updating the BCM software.  GM’s number for this recall is N202319980 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-790.

Honda Accord & Honda Insight Electrical Problem

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Honda will be asking owners of certain 2018-2020 Accord, 2018-2020 Accord Hybrid and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles, to return to their dealerships to repair a problem that could affect various electrical systems in their vehicles.

According to the defect report, a software programming error combined with certain driver actions could disrupt the communication between the body control module (BCM) and other systems. The problem could result in illumination of several warning indicators and the malfunction of one or more electronic components. The affected components include:

  • Windshield defrosting and defogging.
  • Windshield wiping and washing.
  • Headlights and turning indicators.
  • Rear view camera display.
  • Warnings for electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection on electric powered vehicles.
  • Audible warning of a stopped vehicle and placing it into park.
  • Powered windows, partition and roof panels.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the BCM software updated. Honda’s number for this recall is X95 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-771.

 

Chevrolet Bolt EV Battery Problem

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An investigation into battery fires in certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs has resulted in a recall involving approximately 50,000 vehicles.

According to the defect report, if the batteries in certain vehicles within this population are charged to full capacity or close to full capacity, they could be at risk of overheating and catching fire. GM is still investigating the cause of the problem and will notifying owners of an interim repair where the hybrid propulsion control module will limit the battery to a 90% charge. A final remedy is still under development.

Owners are advised to activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, or park outside, until the software update is completed.

GM’s number for this recall is N202311730 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-701.

Weak Driveshaft Welds – Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks

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General Motors will be contacting a small number of 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 2019-2020 GMC Sierra 1500 owners. because of a manufacturing problem affecting the power train in their vehicles.

According to the defect report, these trucks may contain a drive shaft with an improperly welded yoke to tube joint. This defective weld could case the drive shaft to separate under load, causing a loss of propulsion and an increased risk of an accident.

GM will be asking owners to return to their dealers to have the driveshaft replaced. GM’s number for this recall is N202314870 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-650.

Engine Stall From Insufficient Fuel Supply

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General Motors will be asking the owners of certain 2020 GM automobiles to return to their dealerships to fix a problem affecting the fuel supply system in their vehicles. The vehicles affected include 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia.

According to the defect report, the fuel pump assemblies in these vehicles may have been produced with burrs inside the mixing tube. Over time, these burrs could prevent the transfer of fuel from the secondary side of the fuel tank to the primary side. At low fuel levels, the engine may not receive enough fuel and the engine could stall unexpectedly. A stall without warning, especially at high speeds, could increase the risk of an accident.

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the fuel pump module. GM’s number for this recall is N202314760 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-639.

Chevrolet Bolt Investigated For Battery Fires

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have opened an investigation into certain 2017-2020 Chevrolet Bolt electric cars after several complaints of vehicle fires. The NHTSA says it was contacted by two owners who reported that their Bolt EVs caught fire while parked and unattended. In one case the vehicle was plugged into a charger in the owner’s driveway when it caught fire. The second vehicle was parked but not plugged in approximately 20 minutes after being driven, before it caught fire. Additional research by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) found a third vehicle, a 2017 Bolt EV with a similar burn patterns.

In all three cases, fire damage appeared to come from the battery compartment with fire passing into the passenger compartment from under the rear seat. The root cause of the fires is unknown and the ODI is opening a “preliminary evaluation” into the matter. If the investigation results in a vehicle recall, approximately 78,000 Chevy Bolt EVs would be affected.

GM Infotainment Problems

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A class action lawsuit has been filed against General Motors for problems affecting its IOR 7 inch infotainment system installed in certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. The lawsuit alleges that GM’s infotainment system problems are a dangerous threat to drivers and passengers.

According to vehicle owners, GM dealers refuse to replace or repair the faulty infotainment systems. The automaker has not released a recall, although they have issued a technical service bulletin acknowledging there is a problem. (NHTSA-TSB-PIT572)

The class-action lawsuit claim that certain GM vehicles with IOR 7 inch infotainment systems are prone to experiencing a range of different issues. Some owners say that the ringer never shuts off with incoming Bluetooth calls and the vehicle operator must turn off the ignition, open and close the vehicle door, and restart the ignition to stop it. Some say the rear view camera’s display image will stay on for up to one minute after shifting out of reverse. The biggest complaint reported involves the the system’s audio volume which will suddenly spike to max volume, distracting drivers while they are behind the wheel.

Vehicles Affected Include
2019 Chevrolet Colorado
2019 Chevrolet Equinox
2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 Chevrolet Blazer
2020 Chevrolet Camaro
2020 Chevrolet Colorado
2020 Chevrolet Equinox
2020 Chevrolet Sonic
2020 Chevrolet Trax
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 Chevrolet 2500HD
2020 Chevrolet 3500HD
2019 GMC Canyon
2019 GMC Sierra 1500
2020 GMC Canyon
2020 GMC Terrain
020 GMC Sierra 1500
2020 GMC 2500HD
2020 GMC 3500HD

The California lemon law provides a solution for California consumers who have repeated problems related to the use, value, or safety of their vehicle. It applies to all new and many used vehicles, whether purchased or leased, for personal and most small business use. If you think your vehicle could be a lemon, fill out the “Free Lemon Law Case Review” form at the top of this page.

2019 Ford F-250 And F-350 – Steering Pulls To The Left Or Right

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Ford Motor Company will be contacting the owners of certain 2019 F-250 and F-350, single rear wheel and dual rear wheel 4X4 trucks, because the front axle could have a problem which makes it difficult to control the vehicle.

According to the defect report, the affected vehicles may have been manufactured with front axles with a wheel end yoke that was not properly welded to the axle tube end. An improperly welded axle yoke attachment could affect vehicle control, including:

1. pulling to the right or left
2. mis-alignment of the steering wheel
3. change in steering sensitivity
4. vehicle response time during hard braking

During a hard braking event, drivers may experience a loud popping noise from the front axle before vehicle control is affected.

Owners receiving notices will be instructed to return to their Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the front axle wheel yoke weld location inspected. If the weld is in the wrong place, the axle assembly will be replaced. Ford’s number for this recall is 20S56 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-576 .