Tag Archives: automobile fire

A Dangerous Problem Worth Repeating
“Fire Warning For Chrysler Pacifica PHEV”

Posted on by

Chrysler recommends that owners of select model year 2017-2018 Pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures due to a risk of fire, even if the vehicle is turned off. Owners are advised to NOT charge their vehicles and continue to park outside until a remedy is identified.

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.

2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado And GMC Sierra – Under Hood Fire

Posted on by

General Motors has decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 and 2021-2022 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 trucks.

GM first became aware of the problem in September 2021 when two 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles experienced under hood fires at the assembly plant. Both vehicles were parked outside awaiting shipment and had been exposed to heavy rainfall the day before. Using X-ray and CT scans on the vehicles showed a gap between the bolt head and brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV), indicating that the assembly had not been properly sealed to prevent water intrusion. Both vehicles had been subject to temporary production process changes that involved offline replacement of the electronic brake control module (EBCM), which is a sub-assembly of the BPMV. Analysis of the vehicles also found that the fire started in this area.

According to the defect report, bolts attaching the BPMV may have not been properly tightened, failing to create the seal between two sub-assemblies that is intended to prevent water intrusion. If water becomes trapped in the BPMV, it could result in a short circuit, which could lead to an under hood fire.

Owners of these trucks are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the BPMV assembly.. GM’s number for this recall is N212349181 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-758.

2021 Jeep Cherokee Transmission Leak

Posted on by

transmission hose leakIn March 2021, Chrysler / FCA USA Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance (VSRC) organization received information about a potential trend in engine fires in certain Jeep Cherokee vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.

The investigation found the problem to be that certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee SUVs were manufactured with transmission oil cooler (TOC) hoses with rubber that had been incorrectly cured. The suspect period began on January 19, 2021 and ended on March 8, 2021, when all suspect TOC hoses were removed from vehicle production.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, incorrectly cured rubber could allow the hose to weaken and rupture. Transmission fluid leaking from the ruptured hose could contact an ignition source and lead to a vehicle fire. A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury to occupants, persons outside the vehicle and could result in property damage.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the TOC hoses inspected and replaced as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is Y18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-310.

Hyundai Ioniq And Kona EV Battery Fire

Posted on by

Hyundai Motor America will be asking owners of certain 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric and 2019-2020 Hyundai Kona Electric vehicles to return to their dealerships because of a problem affecting the lithium-ion battery.

In March 2019 Hyundai received three reports of Kona electric vehicles catching fire while parked. All vehicles involved were reportedly parked with a fully charged battery. Further investigation found several similar incidents which initiated an investigation into the problem. As a result of this investigation, a campaign was launched to upgrade the BMS software for early detection of abnormalities in the battery while the vehicle is parked. The software update was developed as a fail safe countermeasure as they continued their investigation

In February 2021 Hyundai became aware of a Kona EV. with the updated software. that caught fire while at full state of charge. Further investigation into the cause found an internal short within the battery cells caused by a folded Anode tab could result in Lithium plating on the Anode tab to contact and short circuit to the Cathode. Based on this information a safety campaign will be conducted to replace the Battery System Assembly (BSA)

Once parts are available, dealers will replace the Battery System Assembly (BSA). Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall is complete. The recall is expected to begin end of April. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 200 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-127.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Battery Fire

Posted on by

In October 2020 the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) started an investigation of the Chevrolet Bolt EV because of potential battery fires while charging. In November, Chevrolet announced a recall affecting 2017-2018 and select 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs manufactured by LG Chem’s Ochang Korea facility. More than 68,000 Chevy Bolt EV’s have been recalled.

The safety recall from the NHTSA states the following:

As an interim remedy, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module to limit full charge to 90%. Until this interim is completed, customers should enable either “Hilltop Reserve” )for 2017-2018 model year vehicles) or “Target Charge Level” (for 2019 model year vehicles) using their vehicle’s infotainment center. These two features will limit the vehicle’s state of charge to 90% until the HPCM2 software re-calibration is applied. If customers are unable to successfully make these changes, or do not feel comfortable making these changes, they will be advised to not park their car in their garage or carport until after they have visited their dealer.

The final remedy is still under development. Owners were notified of the interim repair beginning November 17, 2020. A second notice will be mailed when the final repair becomes available. GM’s number for this recall is N202311730 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-701 .

If you own one of these vehicles and are concerned or have questions about your recourse under the California Lemon Law, please contact the Law Office of Barry L. Edzant at 888-395-3666 to speak with the attorney.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Battery Problem

Posted on by

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.

GM Transmission Oil Leak

Posted on by

General Motors has decided that a safety defect exists in certain 2018-2020 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. They will be notifying owners with instructions about how to get their vehicle repaired.

According to the defect report, some of these vehicles are equipped with a start / stop accumulator that may have missing bolts on the end cap. These loose bolts could result in a transmission oil leak that could progress into a complete loss of vehicle propulsion. A transmission leak in the presence of an ignition source could also result in a vehicle fire.

Vehicles Affected Include
2018-2019 Buick LaCrosse
2019-2020 Buick Encore
2019-2020 Buick Enclave
2019-2020 Cadillac XT4
2020 Cadillac XT6
2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze
2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox
2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer
2018-2020 GMC Terrain
2019-2020 GMC Acadia

Dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace any missing bolts. GM’s number for this recall is N202313440 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-668.

2014-2019 Ram 1500 Potential Engine Fire

Posted on by

Chrysler will be contacting the owners of certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic Pickup trucks equipped with 3.0L Eco Diesel engines because of a vehicle safety problem.

According to the defect report, the Exhaust Gas Re-circulation (EGR) coolers are susceptible to thermal fatigue and could crack over time. Th crack could allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system and could combust inside the intake manifold, causing a vehicle fire. Drivers may be alerted there is a problem through a noticeable loss of coolant, lack of heater function and potentially a Malfunction Indicator Lamp.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the EGR cooler replaced. Dealers will also inspect and replace the intake manifold as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is VB1 and the NHTSA campaign number is 19V-757.