Category Archives: Lemon Alert

Jeep Grand Cherokee Incorrectly Installed Rear Coil Springs

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Chrysler (FCA) has recently taken steps to address a potential safety issue that could pose a risk to owners of certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The concern revolves around the rear coil springs, which may have been incorrectly installed during the manufacturing process. This misalignment could lead to the complete detachment of the coil spring while the vehicle is in motion, potentially increasing the likelihood of accidents.

In response to reports received in March 2023 about a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee experiencing a rear coil spring detachment while driving, FCA US Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) launched an investigation. The aim was to thoroughly examine the situation, including the design and assembly process of the coil spring, as well as reviewing measurement data for both the part and the affected vehicles. Although no accidents or injuries have been reported thus far, FCA US has decided to initiate a safety recall for the impacted models as a proactive measure.

The defect report indicates that certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles were built with rear coil springs that may not have been properly installed. This installation error could result in the coil spring shifting out of its intended position. If the rear coil spring becomes detached while the vehicle is in motion, it can pose a hazard not only to the occupants of the affected Jeep but also to operators and passengers of other vehicles sharing the road. The sudden detachment of the coil spring without any warning can potentially lead to accidents and cause injuries.

To address this issue, Chrysler authorized dealerships will conduct thorough inspections of the rear coil spring assemblies in the affected vehicles. If any problems are identified, the necessary repairs will be carried out promptly. It is crucial for owners of the impacted Jeep models to have their vehicles inspected to ensure that the rear coil springs are correctly installed, thereby mitigating the risk associated with this issue.

For reference, the safety recall associated with this concern has been assigned the identification number 64A by FCA. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has designated the corresponding campaign as number 23V-413.

Ford F-150 BEV Tail Lights Flicker

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Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2022-2023 Ford F-150 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) due to a problem that may cause inoperative or flickering back-up lights. This issue came to the attention of Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) in March 2023, following reports of moisture in the rear light bar of select F-150 BEV Platinum and Lariat vehicles from the 2022 and 2023 model years. These vehicles feature a rear light bar that spans the tailgate and houses the supplemental tail lamp and reverse lamp functions. Upon further investigation, Ford discovered an increased rate of warranty reports citing moisture in the rear light bar, which consequently resulted in certain claims of malfunctioning or flickering rear supplemental tail lamps and reverse lamps.

Upon examining the returned parts, Ford observed the presence of water droplets or condensation within the lamp, indicating micro cracks in the outer lens of the light bar. Testing conducted on the parts retrieved from the field revealed that over half of them had either inoperative or flickering supplemental tail lamps and/or reverse lamps. The investigation by the CCRG pinpointed the cause of stress on the light bar to be static and dynamic loading during the assembly plant fit process, which involves aligning the tailgate and surrounding components. Additionally, extreme tailgate surface loading in temperatures below -40 Celsius was also identified as a factor. The forces exerted on the light bar and its housing result in stress being transferred to the lens, potentially leading to the development of micro cracks.

To address this issue, owners who receive notices will be required to visit their dealerships to have the rear light bar replaced. Ford has assigned the recall number 23S30 to this specific recall, while the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-418.

In situations where vehicle owners encounter persistent issues with their newly purchased vehicles, such as the problems described above, they may be protected by lemon laws. Lemon laws vary by jurisdiction but are generally designed to provide legal recourse to consumers who unknowingly purchase vehicles with substantial defects that affect their safety, value, or use. These laws typically require manufacturers to either replace the defective vehicle or refund the purchase price if the vehicle cannot be adequately repaired within a reasonable number of attempts. If you suspect that your vehicle is a lemon, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the lemon law provisions in your jurisdiction and consult with a legal professional to understand your rights and options for resolution.

Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has recently taken action to address a potential problem that may affect certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 trucks and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. The issue involves an unexpected engine stall, which could pose a safety risks to vehicle owners.

In May 2023, the FCA Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization initiated an investigation into certain models manufactured between 2014 and 2019 for Ram 1500 trucks and between 2014 and 2020 for Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. The focus of the investigation was on vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. It was discovered that these particular vehicles had a tone reluctor wheel with an insufficient bond between the magnetic coating and the tone wheel body. Upon analyzing the stall patterns and reviewing vehicle history, it was determined that the affected vehicles were those manufactured with Gen II 3.0L diesel engines, and the crankshaft tone wheel was identified as the source of the stalls.

According to the defect report, the magnetic material attached to the reluctor wheel provides a crucial signal to the crankshaft position sensor. When this signal is lost, the engine’s ability to synchronize injector pulses and cam timing is compromised. Consequently, the loss of the crankshaft position can lead to an engine stall, leaving the vehicle unable to restart.

To address this issue, FCA will be updating the powertrain control module software to ensure that vehicle propulsion is maintained even in the event of a lost crankshaft position signal. By reading the camshaft position signal, the updated software will mitigate the risk of engine stalls.

As part of the recall process, FCA has assigned the number 66A to this specific recall, while the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-411. It is important to note that this recall represents an expansion of a previous recall, namely recall 20V-475.

FCA US will be contacting vehicle owners to ensure that they are informed about the issue and the necessary steps to resolve it. The company is aware of 10 customer assistance records, 611 warranty claims, and three field reports that may be associated with this particular issue.

2023 Hyundai Palisade Loss of Brake Assist

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Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) has recently taken steps to address a potential issue with certain 2023 Hyundai Palisade vehicles, which may affect their brakes. The company has initiated a recall and will be reaching out to the owners of these specific models to address the problem.

The concern revolves around the brake booster diaphragm, which has the potential to become misaligned. This misalignment can lead to an internal vacuum leak, resulting in a loss of power brake assist. Hyundai became aware of this issue during the assembly of certain 2023 Hyundai Palisade vehicles produced between April 28, 2023, and May 5, 2023.

These particular vehicles were equipped with brake boosters that contained diaphragms prone to becoming unseated. The cause of this problem was traced back to improperly manufactured assembly housings from one of Hyundai’s suppliers. Upon further investigation, by the end of May, Hyundai Motor America (HMA) identified several affected vehicles from the production range that were not retained at the port.

In light of this information, the North America Safety Decision Authority (NASDA) of the National Automotive Safety Organization (NASO) promptly convened to discuss the situation. After careful evaluation, NASDA made the decision to initiate a safety recall in order to address all potentially affected 2023 Hyundai Palisade vehicles sold in the United States.

Owners of the affected vehicles will receive official notices from Hyundai, instructing them to return to their authorized dealers for further assistance. Upon visiting the dealership, the brake booster of each vehicle will be thoroughly inspected, and if necessary, replaced to rectify the issue. Hyundai has assigned the recall number 245 to this particular action, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has designated it as campaign number 23V-415.

Ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its customers is of utmost importance to Hyundai, and the company is taking action to address this brake-related concern in a comprehensive and timely manner. By promptly contacting affected vehicle owners, conducting thorough inspections, and making any necessary repairs or replacements, Hyundai aims to resolve the issue and provide peace of mind to its customers.

2019-2024 Jaguar I-Pace Battery Could Overheat

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Certain 2019-2024 Jaguar I-PACE SUV electric vehicles are facing a critical issue that could pose a potential threat of vehicle fires due to excessive heat buildup inside the high-voltage battery. The Jaguar Product Safety and Compliance Committee (PSCC) identified this problem in February 2022 through the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) critical concerns reporting process. As a result, Jaguar initiated a thorough investigation into the matter.

To address the issue, Jaguar collected the batteries from the affected vehicles and conducted meticulous inspections at their testing facilities. Subsequently, the batteries were sent back to the supplier for further and more detailed analysis. In addition, Jaguar acquired Diagnostic Over The Air (DOTA) data for comprehensive examination and evaluation.

According to the defect report, specific 2019-2024 Jaguar I-PACE SUV electric vehicles have experienced instances of thermal overload, which can manifest as smoke or fire. The overheating primarily occurs beneath the vehicle, where the high-voltage traction battery is located. While investigations are still ongoing, Jaguar has proactively decided to install software that will effectively monitor the battery’s status.

Owners of the affected vehicles will receive notifications regarding the issue. They can visit a dealer or opt for an over-the-air (OTA) update to have the battery energy control module software updated. This updated software will continuously monitor the operational status of the battery pack assembly, identifying conditions that may lead to a thermal overload. In order to ensure safety, the software will provide enhanced driver warnings regarding the battery’s condition. When a risk is detected, the charging capacity of the High Voltage battery will be limited to 75%. A warning message will alert the driver, accompanied by instructions in the Owner Guide, which will direct them to take their vehicle to a Jaguar retailer for diagnosis and, if necessary, repair. The retailer will conduct a thorough inspection and, if required, replace the affected battery module or pack.

Jaguar has assigned the identification number H441 to this recall, while the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-369.

2023 Nissan Leaf EV Brake Line Damage

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Nissan has determined that certain 2023 model year Nissan Leaf EVs may have a damaged right hand brake tube that could result in a brake fluid leak.

Nissan first became aware of the potential problem in January 2023 when a Nissan technician noticed a 2023 Nissan Leaf EV being assembled with a damaged right hand brake tube assembly. Nissan collected the affected parts and began an investigation. The investigation included a parts audit of 975 brake assemblies which revealed twenty-five (25) damaged right hand brake tubes at the actuator connection bend. Nissan also conducted a yard audit of 395 vehicles and found five (5) with a scratched or damaged right hand brake tube. These parts were quarantined and the vehicles were put on a quality hold.

According to the defect report, an investigation with the supplier determined that the incorrect tooling was used to align the brake tube into the pipe bending jig. Because the brake tube was misaligned, the tooling clamped the pipe in the incorrect position and caused scratching, and in some cases deformation of the tube, at the actuator bend.

Nissan performed corrosion and stress tests on two (2) of the worst case condition parts to evaluate the effect of the damaged brake tube on brake performance over time. Nissan concluded that the brake performance could be degraded and could lead to extended stopping distances possibly without prior warning. Nissan decided to conduct a Voluntary Safety Recall to recall all potentially affected LEAF vehicles to inspect the right-hand brake tube and replace any damaged brake tube assemblies.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the right-hand brake tube inspected for damage. If damage is found, the affected brake tube will be replaced. Nissan’s number for this recall is PC976 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-362.

Stall From Unsecured Fuse Inside High Voltage Battery

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Addressing the Issue of Unsecured Fuses and Steps to Take if Your Vehicle is Affected

Jeep Wrangler Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEV) have gained popularity for their eco-friendly features and impressive performance. However, recent reports have surfaced regarding a potential safety concern that could affect certain 2022-2023 models. The FCA Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) organization has identified an issue with an unsecured fuse inside the high voltage battery, which may result in an unexpected loss of drive power.

Discovery of the Issue:
In February 2023, the FCA TSRC organization received its first report of a fuse melting in the HV battery of a 2022 Jeep Wrangler PHEV, drawing immediate attention to the matter. A subsequent incident involving another 2022 Jeep Wrangler PHEV with the same problem prompted the initiation of a comprehensive investigation.

Root Cause and Potential Impact:
The investigation revealed that an incorrect fastener used during vehicle production could increase resistance and generate excess heat at the 200 amp fuse interface. The prolonged exposure to high temperatures could cause the fuse to fail, leading to a loss of motive power. Drivers experiencing this issue might notice a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated, changes in drivability, and/or noise originating from the HV battery pack assembly.

Suspect Period and Population:
The suspect period for this issue spans from January 10, 2022, when the incorrect fasteners were introduced, to September 20, 2022, when the use of incorrect fasteners ceased. The identification of the suspect population was determined through careful examination of vehicle and supplier manufacturing records.

Recall and Resolution:
To address this safety concern, Jeep has issued a recall, known as recall number 53A by Chrysler and NHTSA campaign number 23V-303. Owners of affected vehicles will receive notifications instructing them to visit their authorized dealerships. At the dealership, the battery fuse will be inspected, and if necessary, replaced to ensure proper functionality. Additionally, the battery assembly will undergo inspection for signs of charring or discoloration on the bus bars, and if required, will be replaced as part of the resolution process. It is crucial to respond promptly to recall notifications and schedule an appointment with your dealership.

Taking Action if You Suspect Your Vehicle is Affected:
If you believe your Jeep Wrangler PHEV falls within the suspect population or are experiencing any symptoms associated with this issue, it is essential to take the appropriate steps. Firstly, check if you have received a recall notification from Jeep. The notice will provide instructions on how to proceed and schedule an appointment with an authorized dealership. If you have not received a notification but suspect your vehicle may be affected, you can directly contact your local dealership to inquire about the recall and share your concerns.

Conclusion:
The discovery of an unsecured fuse issue affecting certain 2022-2023 Jeep Wrangler Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles is a matter of utmost importance. If you suspect that your vehicle is part of the affected population or are experiencing any relevant symptoms, it is crucial to act swiftly by following the instructions provided in the recall notification or reaching out to your local dealership.

Brake Pressure Switch Short May Cause Fire In Chevy Trucks

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General Motors. LLC (GM) has decided that a problem exists in certain 2019-2023 Chevrolet 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD medium-duty trucks. The brake pressure sensor assembly could leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch and cause an electrical short circuit.

GM opened an investigation in August 2022 following reports of a vehicle fire on a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado medium-duty truck. As part of that investigation, GM reviewed field data potentially related to the problem and warranty returned brake pressure sensors.

While a series of tests failed to duplicate the condition, in January, a warranty-returned sensor and harness were identified as exhibiting signs of heat damage. This part was subjected to more detailed analysis, including X-ray scans and a chemistry laboratory analysis. The results from these analyses revealed the presence of brake fluid past the diaphragm seal, into the brake pressure switch, and through the actual wire harness into the pump’s fuse circuit. An inspection of the returned components also revealed delamination of the corrosion-inhibiting sealant, which allowed slow seepage of the brake fluid past the diaphragm seal.

According to the defect report, a zinc-nickel plating and sealant used to inhibit corrosion within the pressure sensor assembly may cause delamination of the sealant which results in small fragments of sealer underneath the diaphragm during assembly which allows brake fluid to slowly seep past the seal and into the pressure switch. The brake fluid may seep into the sensor’s electrical components and short the brake pressure switch and the associated fuse. If brake fluid shorts the brake pressure switch and the fuse, the circuit can generate enough heat and could result in a fire. An under-hood fire may occur when the vehicle is off and possibly unattended.

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the master cylinder pressure sensor and inspect the wire harness. If the harness is damaged, it will be replaced as well. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed on May 29, 2023. Second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. GM’s number for this recall is N222375270 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-266.