Automotive Defect Investigation The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is continuing to investigate certain Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans for front brake hoses that could prematurely rupture.

The vehicles under investigation include:

2013-2018 Ford Fusion
2013-2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid
2013-2018 Lincoln MKZ
2013-2018 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

In August 2020, Ford issued a safety recall (NHTSA campaign number 20V-469) for certain 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles, because these vehicles were experiencing premature brake hose (jounce hoses) rupturing. The investigation that led to the recall found that the problem was due to localized failures of the internal reinforcement braid because of cyclic fatigue during suspension and steering movement. The recalled part was introduced into Ford Edge production on June 25, 2014, and was taken out of production on December 21, 2017. The recall had dealers replacing both front brake jounce hoses with a newly revised braid material and performing a brake system bleed.

The ODI has continued to receive complaints alleging front brake hose failures on 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and 2013-2018 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that were not included in the Safety Recall (20V-469). Customer complaints allege the brake hoses are rupturing and leaking brake fluid, with little to no warning. The leaked brake fluid can cause drivers to experience a soft brake pedal, increased pedal travel, and/or extended braking distances. The ODI has received over 50 complaints related to this problem. One complaint alleged a crash as the result of a failed brake hose.

Lemon laws are state and federal laws that provide protection for consumers who buy or lease cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and other consumer goods. The goal of such lemon laws is to provide compensation to consumers for defective products that fail to meet the standards of quality and performance asserted in manufacturers’ warranties.

If your vehicle is experiencing repeated problems like the ones listed above, it could be a Lemon. Know your Lemon Law Rights. If you have any questions about your rights and the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 1-888-395-3666 and get some great Lemon Law advice!

The owners of certain 2020 Mercedes Benz GLC350E 4Matic SUVs could experience a loss of drive power due to a problem affecting the wiring harness going to the transmission in their vehicles.

In September 2020, Mercedes Benz first became aware of the problem after receiving a customer complaint regarding the loss of drive power in their vehicle. As similar complaints regarding GLC-Class vehicles increased Mercedes began an investigation into the problem. A production quality survey was initiated to double check the wiring harness installation in two plants producing the LC-Class. Mercedes investigated possible commonalities between the reported failures of two different platforms that are manufactured at three different plants. Mercedes also asked the wiring harness supplier to analyze any possible cause involving the wiring harness.

The investigation identified the root cause of the problem as an error in the installation of the wiring harness. Mercedes studied the potential effect of the transmission wiring harness production deviation on vehicle safety and identified the potentially affected vehicles. On July 1st 2022, they determined that there was a potential safety risk and decided to conduct a recall of all the potentially affected vehicles.

According to the defect report, the routing of the transmission wiring harness in certain 2020 GLC-Class (253 platforms) 4-Matic vehicles may not meet current production specifications. Due to deviations in the wiring harness length and the assembly process, the harness could come in contact with the front drive shaft and damage it over time. If this happens, drivers could experience a loss of propulsion and an increased risk of an accident. If the failure occurs, the driver would be made aware through a warning message in the instrument cluster.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the transmission wiring harness inspected and replaced as necessary. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 22V-494.

A small number of 2021-2022 Ford Escape and 2022 Lincoln Corsair hybrid power-train SUVs have been manufactured with a high voltage battery that could fail and result in a sudden loss of motor power. The problem was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group in October 2021 after an issue pertaining to an overheated high voltage battery bus bar was reported in Germany. Through a search of warranty reports, Ford identified an additional vehicle in Europe that reported a loss of function due to the overheated high voltage battery bus-bar.

During the manufacturing process, the high voltage bus-bar pad was not properly seated and could cause the pad to be mounted out of position prior to bus-bar welding. This condition could reduce the contact area between the cell terminal and the bus bar, giving it a high resistance. The high resistance could eventually result in an overheat situation.

According to the defect report, an overheated bus bar terminal may create a high resistance connection that could cause the battery pack high voltage bus voltage to fall below an operational level. If this happens, the hybrid power-train control module will sense the high voltage and detect a fault. A diagnostic trouble code will be sent and the vehicle will lose power. Drivers will also notice a “Stop Safely Now” warning message displayed on the instrument panel.

Ford’s team reviewed supplier process and production records to determine the population of affected parts. Affected vehicles are equipped with the 2.5L Hybrid power train and the suspect high voltage battery pack.

Dealers will replace the high voltage battery. Ford’s number for this recall is 21S48 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-149.

Do you think your Ford Escape or Lincoln Corsair could be a Lemon? Don’t live with a Lemon, especially if the problems you are having are safety-related. If you have any questions about your rights and the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 888-395-3666 for some great Lemon Law advice.

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) will be contacting the owners of certain 2017-2018 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) for a problem that could result in a vehicle fire.

In August 2021, Chrysler Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance Organization opened an investigation into a reported trend of fires in certain Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs. Since August 2021, there have been five customer records and twelve field reports relating to this issue. The potentially affected vehicles include 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs manufactured between August 12, 2016, when production of Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs began, and ended on August 7, 2018, when the 2018 model year production ended. Chrysler will conduct a voluntary safety recall on all affected vehicles.

Although the automaker is still investigating the cause, the fire risk is likely due to corrosion of an electrical connection inside the Pacifica’s 12-volt battery system. This system is used to power auxiliary features, including radios and garage door openers, and is not part of the vehicle’s plug-in hybrid propulsion system. However, only hybrid vehicles are included in this recall.

According to the NHTSA defect report, “Certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vehicles may experience a fire, even with the ignition in the “OFF” mode. A vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury and/or injury to persons outside the vehicle, as well as property damage.”

Because the remedy is under development, Chrysler is advising owners of these hybrid vehicles to refrain from recharging them and to park them away from structures and other vehicles. Owners can keep operating the vehicles using the internal combustion engine.

Letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed later this month. Second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. FCA US LLC’s number for this recall is Z11 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-077.

Don’t live with a Lemon, especially if the problems you are having is safety related. If you have any questions about your rights and the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 888-395-3666 for some great Lemon Law advice.

A small number of 2020-2021 Kia Rio vehicles may have been built with brake master cylinders that are not designed to manufacturer specifications. Kia will be contacting the owners of the affected vehicles starting January 11, 2022. The letter will have information describing the problem and how owners can get repairs done.

Kia first became aware of the defect in October 2021 when the supplier of the brake master cylinder notified them of a brake-related complaint in a Hyundai vehicle. Because this vehicle uses the same brake master cylinder as certain Kia Rio vehicles an investigation into the problem was opened for both Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent vehicles.

Based on a review of supplier quality control records and Kia’s vehicle production records, vehicles produced before 7/2/2021 could be equipped with improperly machined brake master cylinder bodies.

According to the defect report, the master cylinder body may have been machined with a sharp edge that could contact and damage the oil seal in the master cylinder. A damaged oil seal can impair vehicle braking functions, such that the driver may experience a hard or spongy brake feel, longer brake pedal travel, and extended stopping distances.

All owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder with a new one. Kia’s number for this recall SC223 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-936.

This problem also affects certain 2021 Hyundai Accent vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal and result in reduced braking performance. Hyundai’s recall number is 213 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-937.

Don’t live with a Lemon. If you are having problems with your vehicle and have questions about your rights and the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 888-395-3666.

In December 2020, Fox Factory received its first reports that certain GM vehicles fitted with Tuscany lift kits could experienced partial or complete wheel separation while in operation. Fox began reviewing field data and started a safety investigation to assess the failure mode, the failure rate and potential causes of the problem. By September 2021 Fox identified 28 warranty claims and field or service reports potentially relating to this issue and decided to initiate a voluntary safety recall.

According to the defect report, “Accelerated wear on the vehicle OEM installed ball joint in the front upper control arm can result in premature ball joint failure and a front wheel separation while the vehicle is in motion .”

Failure of a ball joint in a front upper control arm may be preceded by noise and / or a feeling of clicking in the steering, abnormal front tire wear and abnormal steering.

The Vehicles Affected Include:
2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500

New Tuscany front upper control arms will be installed in place of the GM front upper control arms. The fix will include upgraded front upper control arms with stronger and less corrosion sceptible ball joints. NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V718.

This is an expansion of NHTSA Recall 20V-701 and 21V-560.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EVs and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUVs. The high voltage batteries in these vehicles may pose a fire risk when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity.

Defective battery modules will be replaced, but until then, GM advises owners 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%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight.

Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 13, 2021. GM’s number for this recall is N212343880 and the latest NHTSA campaign number is 21V-650.

Toyota will be asking the owners of certain 2019-2020 Toyota Yaris vehicles to return to their dealerships for a problem that could lead to fuel pump failure and an engine stall.

Last year Mazda, which is responsible for the vehicle’s design and manufacturing, started an investigation into Mazda and Toyota vehicles experiencing fuel pump failures. Based on the recovered parts and other investigations, Mazda reported that the fuel pumps in the subject vehicles were affected by exposure to high environmental temperatures.

According to the defect report, these vehicles are manufactured with low pressure fuel pumps with low density impellers. These impellers were exposed to production solvent drying for longer periods of time which make them more susceptible to fuel absorption, impeller deformation and impeller cracking. In some cases, the impeller could deform to a point that creates enough interference with the fuel pump body to cause the fuel pump to stop operating. An inoperative fuel pump will result in an illuminated check engine light, master warning indicators, rough engine running and an engine no start and/or vehicle stall while driving.

Toyota will be contacting owners of affected vehicles with instructions to return to their dealerships to have the low pressure fuel pump assembly replaced. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 21TB05 and 21TA05. The NHTSA campaign number is 21V-617.