Tag Archives: manufacturing error

Cadillac CT4 And CT5 Roof Rail Airbags May Not Deploy Properly

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 And CT5 vehicles because of a problem affecting the roof rail side air bags.

In June 2021, GM investigators were contacted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding a right-side roof rail airbag (RRAB) in a 2020 Cadillac CT5 that did not deploy properly during a test for out-of-position occupants. Inspection of NHTSA’s test photos shows a twisted condition between attachment points of the affected RRAB.

In July, a yard hold was initiated at GM’s assembly plant. Inspection of approximately 1,300 vehicles on hold found five vehicles with the twisted RRAB condition. GM is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this condition, but have decided to conduct a safety recall.

Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in September. GM’s number for this recall is N212342780 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-611.

Don’t Park Your Chevrolet Bolt In Your Garage Or Near Structures – Fire Warning

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If you are a Chevy Bolt owner living in California and you received a recall notice for battery fires, you may find it difficult to park your vehicle.

General Motor’s recent recall of certain 2017-2019 Chevy Bolt EVs is caused by the presence of two manufacturing defects in the N2.1 battery cell produced at their Korea facility. The problem is aggravated by charging the battery to a full or nearly full state of charge after it has been substantially depleted. The battery could overheat, emit smoke and catch fire, causing damage to vehicle components and structures around it. As a temporary solution, GM have asked owners to reprogram their hybrid propulsion control module to limit a full charge, but some owners say they are experiencing problems.

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.

What options does that leave you? Possibly parking your car on the street or driveway which has problems in itself. Most charging cables are not long enough to reach the street, the cables could be damaged or stolen or someone could trip on them. Also in some cities there are restrictions against parking in the street and driveways.

If you own a Chevy Bolt and are concerned, we will be glad to talk with you. Please contact us today at 888-EX-Lemon (888-395-3666) for a free consultation or complete the short form at the top of this page.

2021 Ford F-150 Reduced Brake Performance

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A small number of 2021 Ford F-150 trucks could experience an electronic brake booster leak. The leak could result in brake fluid entering the electronic control unit (ECU), causing longer break pedal travel, higher pedal effort and reduced braking.

In May 2021, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group reviewed three F-150 truck warranty claims where brake fluid from the electronic brake booster leaked into the ECU. Ford’s review of supplier records found that the supplier had identified 169 2021 model year F-150 brake booster assemblies in December 2020 because they were potentially assembled with a broken clinching tool, used to secure the pressure sensor to the booster housing. Further review of supplier and Ford records determined that 51 of the 169 quarantined parts were inadvertently shipped to Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant and assembled into vehicles, all of which were shipped to dealers in the U.S.

Engineering analysis found that a brake booster with an incomplete clinch between the pressure sensor and the brake booster housing can cause brake fluid to leak through the pressure sensor into the ECU. This can reduce braking effectiveness of the brake circuits.

Those receiving notifications will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the ECU replaced. Ford’s number for this recall is 21S33 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-533.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave Front Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave SUVs, about a problem that could result in the front air bag not deploying properly. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out beginning of August 2021.

According to the defect report, during a weekly service programming system (SPS) audit, it was discovered that a small number of 2021 Chevy and Buick models may have been manufactured with the incorrect sensing diagnostic module (SDM) data calibration. The data files were corrected in the SPS system and the problem was reported to GM’s safety program. Their investigation found a small number of 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave vehicles may have received the same incorrect data and decided to conduct a safety recall.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of affected vehicles with instructions to update the calibration software in the SDM. GM’s number for this recall is N212340220 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-472

Nissan And Infiniti Steering Off Center And Tires Misaligned

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In October 2020 Nissan became aware of a problem with certain front steering knuckles and rear axle housing manufactured at their Yokohama, Japan Plant. Nissan conducted a plant audit and determined that a gap in a particular furnace door caused low temperature conditions during the heat treating process. Axle components located in the low temperature area of the furnace experienced an insufficient amount of heat which resulted in poor hardness. These components have been installed on certain 2020-2021 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles.

If the front steering knuckle or rear axle housing receives an impact such as hitting a curb, the steering knuckle or rear axle housing could deform. If the steering knuckle is deformed, the steering wheel may become off-center, impairing the driver’s ability to steer the vehicle. If the rear axle housing is deformed, it will cause wheel mis-alignment.

If the deformation is not detected and the vehicle continues to be operated, the damaged steering knuckle or rear axle housing may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle.

Vehicles Affected Include
2020 Nissan Murano
2021 Nisssn GT-R
2020 Infiniti QX60
2021 Infiniti QX50
2021 Infiniti Q50

Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary. The NHTSA recall campaign number is 21V-402.

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.

2019-2020 Chevrolet 6500HD Trucks Software Update For Safety Issue

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General Motors has decided that a software defect exists in certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet 6500HD trucks. These vehicles have been manufactured with tires that have a maximum speed rating of 75mph (regular production option (RPO) codes XDV for the front tires and YAP for the rear tires) and engine control module software that limits the speed of the vehicle to 79 mph.

In December 2020, Navistar, informed GM that vehicles may have been built with maximum speed limitation calibrations that exceed tire maximum speed ratings. A GM engineering manager reported the issue to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program and preliminary information was collected regarding the issue. GM opened an investigation in February 2021, confirmed the speed limiting software in the ECM and the body control module (BCM) would allow vehicles to reach 79 mph, exceeding the 75 mph maximum speed rating of the tires. In May 2021, GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall.

Owners receiving notification letters will be asked to return to their dealers to have the software calibration for the engine control module (ECM) set to limit the vehicles speed so it will not exceed the speed rating of the tires. GM’s number for this recall is N202325530 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-346.

2021 Jeep Cherokee Transmission Leak

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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.