Tag Archives: automobile safety defect

Is Your 2017 Chevrolet Camaro A Lemon?

Posted on by

The Camaro is a mid-size American sports car manufactured by Chevrolet. Despite having good performance ratings and respectable features, the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ranks average in the class of sports cars. Drivers say it has high maintenance costs compared to its rivals and the passenger and cargo space is lacking. If you research the 2017 Camaro on the NHTSA website, you will see there is only one recall, but owner complaints are high.

The number one complaint of the 2017 Chevy Camaro is steering. Drivers say the power steering warning light will intermittently illuminate while driving at various speeds, the power steering will fail and excessive force is needed to maneuver the vehicle. In February 2019 GM released a recall affecting the 2017 Camaro for loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist. The problem was a manufacturing error which caused a short on the EPS printed circuit board in the steering assembly. The recall affected over 26,000 Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles.

There are no recalls affecting the transmission for the 2017 Camaro, but drivers say they are continually experience problems. Hard shifting, noises and hesitation are especially noticeable between 55 to 85 mph, making it dangerous for highway driving and during critical maneuvers. There are over eighty TSBs issued by the manufacturer affecting the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro transmission.

The third top complaint of the 2017 Chevy Camaro is interior and exterior accessory problems. Complaints include windows that fog up, the radio and blue tooth stop working, the key gets stuck in the ignition and general lighting problems. The manufacturer wants you to believe that these are minor issues, but don’t be fooled, these problems can impair the use, value and safety of your vehicle.

Do you think your 2017 Chevrolet Camaro could be a LEMON?… Contact us now for a free case evaluation.

Nissan Brake Fluid Leak Could Result In Fire

Posted on by

Nissan will be asking the owners of certain 2015-2019 Infiniti and Nissan vehicles, equipped with ADVICS ABS actuators, to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the braking system. These vehicles were previously recalled under NHTSA campaign number 18V-601, but were not repaired. This new recall (19V-807) also expands the previous population. The affected models include:

  • 2017-2019 Infiniti QX60
  • 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima
  • 2015-2018 Nissan Murano
  • 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder

Due to manufacturing variation, the ABS actuators may contain an oil seal with inadequate sealing performance. The seal could prematurely wear and leak brake fluid. If this occurs, the ABS warning lamp will illuminate to warn the driver, but if the warning is ignored, the brake fluid leak could create an electrical short in the actuator circuit. In rare instances, this could lead to a fire.

Note: When brake fluid leaks onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine is started. If this occurs, owners should park their vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

Audi R8 Spyder & R8 Coupe Transmission Fluid Vent Hose Leak

Posted on by

If you are the owner of a 2017-2018 Audi R8 Spyder or R8 Coupe, you may be receiving a manufacturer defect notice for the power train of your vehicle. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, during extreme maneuvers the transmission fluid could expand and foam up beyond the expansion volume in the gearbox, causing the transmission fluid to leak out of the gearbox ventilation hose. The fluid could contact hot engine parts, causing smoke and a possible fire.

Dealers will correct the problem by adding a double ventilation hose that has a higher oil expansion volume. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 34J1 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-639.

2018 Hyundai Genesis OCS Problem

Posted on by

Hyundai will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Genesis G80 sedans regarding a problem affecting the Occupant Classification System (OCS).

According to defect reports filed with the NHTSA, a routine inspection at the vehicle assembly plant found that the OCS re-coding program used in a specific assembly line could incorrectly reset the calibration for heated seats to the calibration for vented seats. As a result, if an infant or child is occupying the front passenger seat, the OCS could fail to deactivate the airbag. If an adult is occupying the front passenger seat the OCS will function properly.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealership to have the OCS reprogrammed. Owners wanting more information about this defect can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 002G and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-496.

Hyundai & Kia Hybrid – Clutch Actuator Leak

Posted on by

The Hyundai Motor group will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Hyundai Ioniq and 2017 Kia Niro hybrids regarding a problem affecting the propulsion system.

According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the subject vehicles may be equipped with a hydraulic clutch actuator with burrs along the inner housing. Over time, these burrs could cause damage to the inner oil seal and allow oil to accumulate in the phase cap area. This accumulation could result an electrical short and an increased risk of fire. If a short exists, drivers will be alerted through an illuminated HEV warning light.

Dealers will inspect the HCA caps for leaked oil and replace the HCA assembly as needed. For more information: Hyundai owners can call 1-855-371-9460. (Hyundai’s recall number is 176 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-260.) Kia owners can call 1-800-333-4542. (Kia’s recall number is SC163 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-257.)

2017 Jeep Renegade Defective Oil Pump / Balance Shaft Module

Posted on by

Chrysler will be asking a small number of 2017 Jeep Renegade owners to return to their dealers because their vehicles are suspect to have a defective oil pump / balance shaft module (BSM). According to the defect report, these vehicles may have been manufactured with a cracked oil pump housing that could propagate throughout the housing and cause the oil pump to fail. Drivers will receive no warning of a problem except that the engine may not run optimally just prior to an engine stall.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the oil pump inspected for its production information and replace the BSM as necessary. Chrysler’s number for this recall is U18 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-131.

2018 Toyota C-HR EPB Malfunction Warning

Posted on by

Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Toyota C-HR subcompact crossover SUVs regarding a problem affecting the electric parking brake (EPB). According to the defect report, an oxide film on the EPB motor could increase the circuit resistance and be incorrectly identified as an open circuit. The problem could result in the illumination of the EPB malfunction light and the inability to release the parking brake. In certain cases it may prevent the parking brake from being applied.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their Toyota dealers to have the skid control ECU software updated. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0W and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-717.

2016 Toyota Prius Engine Shutdown

Posted on by

A small number of 2016 Toyota Prius owners will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the hybrid propulsion system. Some vehicles were manufactured with an inverter assembly which contains a capacitor that may not have been properly attached to the inverter housing. Over time the terminal of the capacitor may become damaged by normal vehicle vibrations which could eventually result in a hybrid system shut down.

All known owners of the subject vehicles that have not received the repair will be notified directly via telephone to return to their dealerships to have the inverter replaced. Owners wanting more information about the defect may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s number for this recall is H0U and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-658.