Tag Archives: Manufacturer defect

Chevy Bolt Battery Fire Recall Expansion

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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.

2019-2020 Toyota Yaris Fuel Pump Failure And Engine Stall

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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.

Chevy Silverado And GMC Sierra Roof Rail Air Bag Could Rupture

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In mid-June 2021 General Motors became aware of roof rail airbag (RRAB) inflator ruptures in three 2015 model year Silverado vehicles while the vehicle was unoccupied and not in use. In all three incidents, the steel inflator body sidewall split open, suddenly releasing the gas stored inside the chamber. GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority have decided to conduct a safety recall.

According to the defect report, The RRAB inflators on the left and right side roof rails may contain a manufacturing defect that could result in inflator end cap separation or inflator sidewall split. If this happens, the compressed gas will escape from the inflator and the end cap or other components can be propelled into the vehicle, potentially injuring occupants.

The Cause Of The Problem: Corrosion inside the inflator vessel, which was caused by moisture introduced into the vessel during the supplier’s manufacturing process and aggravated by
thermal cycling in high-temperature climate regions

Vehicles Affected Include
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM’s number for this recall is N202324251 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-504.

Chevrolet Silverado And GMC Sierra 2500/3500 – Potential Engine Fire

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General Motors have identified a problem affecting certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 trucks manufactured with the Duramax diesel 6.6 litre engine and the optional block-heater power cable.

Contamination of the sealing surface of the block-heater heater element can allow a coolant leak to develop. If leaking coolant contacts the block heater cable terminals while the cable is plugged into an energy source a short could occur.

In February 2021, a GM quality manager submitted a report to GM’s Speak Up For Safety program after inspecting an engine-block heater recovered from a 2019 model year Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The owner reported sparking from under the hood after the engine block heater was plugged in. The block heater was leaking coolant, and the engineer observed thermal damage at the connection between the heater and the block heater power cable. This vehicle had previously been fixed for this condition under NHTSA recall 19V-328.

Further investigation identified nineteen potential fires involving engine-block heaters in vehicles remedied under 19V-328. Based on this data, GM opened a formal product investigation and found 122 complaints and 24 reports of potential fires between December 3, 2019 and May 28, 2021 involving vehicles that received the recall remedy under 19V-328. Based on this data GM decided to conduct a safety recall on these vehicles.

Vehicles Affected Include
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500
2017-2019 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will disable the block heater. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. GM’s number for this recall is 212329840 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-496.

California Lemon Law Buyback For 2016 GMC Acadia

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Our client bought a 2016 GMC Acadia,

In September our client took his Acadia to the authorized GMC Dealership because the A/C on the rear driver’s side and rear passenger side was blowing warm air.

The next visit was on September 25th because the check engine light was on and the vehicle seemed to be idling rough. After filling up the gas the vehicle did not want to start. Also, the A/C stopped working. A light would come on and flash but would not stay solid.

The vehicle was back at the dealership on October 17th because there was a hissing noise coming from the vents and the rear A/C was blowing warm air.

Our client was back at the dealership on December 20th because there was a noise coming from the engine. When turning off the vehicle there is a winding down noise. While using the A/C there is a bubbling noise. Also, the brakes were squeaking and making a bubble noise.

The next visit to the dealership for servicing was on February 6, 2019. The first concern was that when the vehicle was idling and the heater or A/C was on, it was making a bubbling noise. Another concern was the ambient lighting on the front passenger side was inop. The 12 volt charger in the rear was inop. When putting the lift gate up there is a very large clunking noise. The driver’s side door outer belt molding was deformed. The brake pedal was making noises.

The last visit was on February 19th and the ambient lighting on the passenger side by the glove box was inop. They were hearing a light bulb bubble noise from the dash. Also the A/C light button had flashed three times.

It was shortly thereafter that we heard from our soon to be client. They spoke with Barry and sent him some documents to review. Soon after they signed a retainer agreement and a demand letter was sent to General Motors Corporation to repurchase their vehicle under the California Lemon Law. GMC agreed to buyback the Acadia, pay off the balance, reimburse him for the down payment and any payments made, pay off the balance less the mileage fee allowed under the California Lemon Law. They also paid all the attorney fees.

Our client was very happy with the buyback of his vehicle. If you think you might be driving a lemon because of repeat problems that the dealership is unable to fix, please call 888-395-3666 for a free consultation.

2018 Cadillac Escalade Manufacturer Buyback Of Lemon Vehicle

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Our client bought a 2018 Cadillac Escalade and was very happy.

His first visit was on December 13, 2018 to the authorized Cadillac dealership because the airbag light came on.

He was back at the dealership 3 months later on March 12th because the airbag light was on again.

He had to bring his Escalade back in on May 30th because the airbag light was on again for a third time. The check engine light was on, too. And the A/C was blowing hot from the left side even though the temperature was set to full cold.

Our client was frustrated with the dealership not being able to fix the problem. It was at this point that a friend told him about the California Lemon Law and he called our office and spoke with Lemon Law Attorney, Barry L. Edzant to find out if his vehicle might be a lemon. He sent some documents to our office for Barry to review. Shortly thereafter he signed up with our firm and a demand letter was sent to General Motors Corporation.

GMC decided to repurchase our clients defective vehicle. The manufacturer reimbursed our client for his down payment, all payments made so far, his registration, paid off the loan less a mileage deduction allowed under the California Lemon Law. GMC also paid attorney fees.

Having problems with your vehicle and think you may be driving a lemon? Please call The Law Office of Barry L. Edzant at 888-395-3666 for a free consultation.

Nissan Armada & Infiniti QX80 Engine Stall

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Owners of certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 Infiniti QX80 SUVs equipped with V8 engines could experience a fuel system problem that could result in an unexpected engine stall. Nissan learned of a potential issue on these vehicles in June 2020 and initiated an investigation which has lead to the recall of approximately 24,000 vehicles.

According to the defect report, the fuel pump module was not designed to manufacturer specifications and could fail. During the impeller manufacturing process, a buildup of molten plastic on the injection moulding machine cylinder tip could cause the density of the impeller to be out of specification. Fuel inside the fuel pump can cause the impeller to swell, increasing friction between the impeller and inlet cover. Eventually the fuel pump will bind internally and the engine will stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to the dealers to have the fuel pump module replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is R21A2, Infiniti’s number for this recall is R21A3 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-373.

2016 Dodge Ram 1500 Lemon Law Help

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Our client was very happy when he purchased his 2016 Dodge Ram 1500.

He first had some concerns on February 6, 2017 when he tried putting gas from the nozzle and the filler tube came loose and dropped down. He also had a check engine light message on.

His next visit to the Dodge dealership was on August 23rd because his tailgate was opening randomly.

On December 4th he was back meeting with his service advisor as he noticed a red liquid leaking from the passenger side area of the engine.

On November 26, 2018 he brought his Ram 1500 in for numerous recalls. He also told them about a hard clunk as the vehicle was shifting between gears. The vehicle also exhibited hard shifting and the RPMs were revving really high.

He was back on January 10, 2019 because the vehicle was again exhibiting a hard clunk between gears. He was also noticing hard shifting and sometimes there was a delay when putting the vehicle into reverse. The dealership had the vehicle for 42 days.

At this point he was very frustrated and contacted our office and spoke with California Lemon Law attorney, Barry L. Edzant. Barry requested he send him some repair orders to review along with some other documents. He became a client shortly thereafter. A letter was sent to FCA, USA demanding that they buy back our client’s 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 under the California lemon law.

He did take the vehicle in again on May 9, 2019 as he was hearing a clunking noise coming from the engine compartment when shifting between 5th and 6th gear and while slowing down and taking off. He also complained the vehicle was having other problems with the gears.

Our firm successfully got a repurchase for our client for his defective Dodge Ram 1500. The buyback included the reimbursement of all payments made to date, the down payment, the registration, paying off the loan less a mileage deduction allowed under the California Lemon Law. FCA, USA also paid for the attorney fees.

If you think your vehicle may be a lemon, please contact the Law Office of Barry L. Edzant at 888-395-3666. We offer free consultations and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. We are a California statewide Lemon Law firm.