The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates P.C. were contacted by the owner of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee who was experiencing repeated problems with her vehicle. After numerous complaints to her FCA dealer, two safety recalls, and five (5) unsuccessful repair attempts, she decided to contact us for advice. We analyzed our client’s potential lemon law case by reviewing the repair orders and purchase contract, and determined that she had a valid claim to have the vehicle repurchased. Her list of problems included: Continue reading

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles about a power train software problem. The affected models are equipped with 8 speed transmissions and a monostable gear selector. According to the defect report, the software used to warn drivers exiting the vehicle, that their vehicle is not in “Park”, may not adequately warn the driver. Drivers thinking that their vehicle’s transmission is in the “Park” position may be struck by the vehicle and injured if they attempt to get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged. Continue reading

Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2015-2016 Dodge Durango and 2015-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the braking system. According to the defect report, the left front brake caliper may have been cast from an incorrect material. Under hard braking conditions, the incorrect material could crack and result in increased stopping distances. Drivers may notice brake fluid leakage, illumination of a low brake fluid light and reduced braking performance. Continue reading

The owners of certain 2015-2016 Ram 1500 trucks could experience an unexpected loss of power steering assist. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, contamination to the top side of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control circuit boards may result in a short of the control circuit components. Drivers could experience an illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), difficult steering at slow speeds, and an intermittent or permanent loss of power steering assist without warning. Continue reading

Chrysler will be asking the owners of certain 2015 Chrysler 200 cars to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the airbag deployment system. The affected vehicles have had the Occupant Classification Module (OCM) or the Seat Cushion Foam (SCF) of the front passenger seat replaced during service work. If both pieces were not replaced together, the occupant detection and classification system may not be properly calibrated and the passenger air bag could improperly deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Continue reading

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Dodge Dart vehicles about a software problem affecting vehicles with 2.0L engines and a manual transmission. Also included, are certain 2015 Dodge Dart vehicles similarly equipped and brought in for dealer service between September 15, 2015 and January 12, 2016.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles may be missing the second layer redundant torque security software in the powertrain control module. Without a backup layer of software, the control module may fail to prevent an un-commanded torque event which could increase the risk of an accident. (During an un-commanded torque event, the operator of the vehicle will still be able to override the problem through either the clutch and/or the service brakes.) Continue reading

Some 2016 Ram ProMaster vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine, hydraulic brake boost compensation and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) could experience a loss of ECS due to a software glitch. The affected vehicles have an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) control module that may not reset the ESC to active status if the key is turned off and back on within 10 seconds. If the vehicle operator does not notice that the “ESC Off” indicator is illuminating on in the cluster the vehicle may be driven without ESC engaged. Continue reading

As an owner of a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, you may have experienced repeated problems with your vehicle. The 2014 model year currently has nine recalls issued against it, and with over 650 complaints, the manufacturer continues to investigate problems.

One of the most recent and well known safety issues affecting the Grand Cherokee is security vulnerabilities that allow an unauthorized third party to access the vehicle control systems. Although Fiat Chrysler say that the defect is not a safety problem, they continue to conduct a remedial campaign in the interest of protecting its customers. Continue reading