Automobile Safety – California Lemon Law blog

A newly identified seat belt defect is affecting nearly 49,000 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles, raising concerns about passenger safety in the rear seats.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue involves the rear outboard seat belt retractors. Under certain conditions, the seat belts can become twisted inside the retractor mechanism, preventing them from retracting smoothly or maintaining the proper tension against the occupant.

While this may seem like a minor inconvenience, it can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the restraint system during a collision.

Which Vehicles Are Affected?

The safety campaign applies to:

2023-2025 Dodge Hornet
2023-2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale

In total, approximately 48,777 vehicles are included.

What Is the Problem?

The defect affects the rear seat belt retractors located on the left and right outboard rear seating positions.

If a seat belt twists internally, it may no longer retract freely after use. More importantly, it may fail to maintain the proper tension needed to keep an occupant securely restrained during certain types of crashes.

Seat belts are designed to remove excess slack and hold passengers firmly in place. When that function is compromised, the risk of injury during an accident increases.

How Was the Issue Discovered?

The investigation began in April 2026, when FCA US alerted Stellantis Europe to a potential issue involving rear seat belt retractors in the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale.

Engineers spent the following months reviewing warranty claims and investigating similar issues that had previously been identified in Europe. By July 1, 2026, the company concluded that the problem could occur under specific conditions because of a weakness in the seat belt retractor design.

As of July 30, 2026, the manufacturer had received:

484 warranty claims
0 reported accidents
0 reported injuries
0 field reports

Although no injuries have been linked to the defect, manufacturers often address safety issues before they result in serious crashes.

What Will Dealers Do?

To correct the problem, dealers will replace the affected rear seat belt retractors .

Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing on September 24, 2026.

What Should Owners Do?

If you own a 2023-2025 Dodge Hornet or 2023-2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale, watch for your notification letter.

Campaign Information

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-510
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 84D
Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

If your vehicle is included, scheduling the repair promptly will help ensure your rear seat belts provide the protection they were designed to deliver.

Ford has announced an expanded safety campaign affecting nearly 388,000 vehicles after discovering that a defect involving the second-row easy-entry seats could allow them to tip or slide unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion.

The issue affects certain 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2026 Ford Explorer models equipped with second-row easy-entry seats. The expanded campaign carries Ford reference number 26S52 and NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-451, building upon an earlier action that addressed the same concern.

What Is the Problem?

According to Ford, the easy-entry switch used to access the third row can bind or become stuck in the pressed position. When this happens, the second-row outboard seat may unexpectedly unlatch, tip forward, or slide while driving. The issue is believed to occur when the plastic bezel surrounding the easy-entry switch becomes misaligned. If the bezel interferes with the switch button, it may prevent the button from returning to its normal position after being pressed. While the investigation into the exact root cause is still ongoing, Ford says broken or misaligned bezel tabs may develop over time during normal vehicle use, even on some vehicles that previously received repairs.

Why This Matters

A seat that unexpectedly moves while driving creates an obvious safety concern. Occupants may suddenly lose their seating position, increasing the risk of injury—especially if a collision occurs.

Drivers may also notice warning signs before the problem becomes more serious, including:

Difficulty using the easy-entry feature.
The seat failing to return to its normal locked position.
The easy-entry button appearing stuck or remaining depressed.
Unexpected seat movement after the switch has been used.

If any of these symptoms appear, owners should have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

Why Is Ford Expanding the Campaign?

Ford previously launched a safety action in 2025 (NHTSA Campaign 25V-393, Ford 25S67) after identifying incorrectly installed switch bezels at a seat supplier. Dealers were instructed to inspect the switch bezel and replace damaged or improperly installed components.

After those repairs were implemented, Ford continued monitoring field reports.

In the spring of 2026, engineers identified additional reports involving:

Vehicles built after the original production changes had been implemented.
Vehicles that had already received the earlier repair.

By June 2026, Ford had documented 14 reports of unintended second-row seat movement caused by a stuck switch:

8 reports involved vehicles not covered by the original campaign.
6 reports involved vehicles that had already received the previous repair.

As a result, Ford expanded the population of affected vehicles to include models produced through June 24, 2026, when the original switch bezel design was permanently removed from production.

Which Vehicles Are Affected?

The campaign includes certain:

2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator
2020-2026 Ford Explorer

Only vehicles equipped with the second-row easy-entry seating system are affected.

Approximately 387,911 vehicles are included in the expanded campaign.

How Will Ford Fix the Problem?

Ford dealers will inspect the easy-entry switch bezel and replace the bezel and related components as necessary.

Because the final repair procedure is still being finalized:

Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety concern are expected to begin mailing July 27, 2026.
A second notification will be sent once the permanent repair is available, which Ford currently expects to be around January 2027.

Repairs will be performed free of charge.

What Should Owners Do?

If you own a 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator or 2020-2026 Ford Explorer, watch for a notification from Ford and pay attention to any unusual operation of the second-row seats.

If a seat unexpectedly tips, slides, or fails to lock into position, it is recommended that the vehicle be inspected promptly. Even if your vehicle was previously repaired under Ford’s earlier campaign (25V-393 / 25S67), it may still be included in this expanded action.

Owners can verify whether their vehicle is affected by searching their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website or by contacting their local Ford or Lincoln dealership.

Campaign Information

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Ford Campaign Number: 26S52
NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-451
Vehicles Affected: Approximately 387,911
Affected Models:
- 2020-2027 Lincoln Aviator
- 2020-2026 Ford Explorer
Defect: Second-row easy-entry seat switch may stick, allowing the seat to unlatch, tip, or slide unexpectedly.
Repair: Inspection and replacement of the switch bezel and related components as necessary.

Owners of certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans should be aware of a newly announced safety defect involving a potentially dangerous steering problem that could result in a loss of vehicle control.

What Is the Problem?

General Motors has recalled approximately 26,541 vehicles after discovering that some steering gear assemblies may contain a critical fastening nut that was not properly tightened during manufacturing. According to the manufacturer, a malfunctioning parts sensor at a supplier’s facility allowed certain steering gear assemblies to pass inspection even though the retaining nut had only been hand-tightened instead of being properly torqued to specification. If that nut loosens or separates from the steering gear while the vehicle is being driven, the driver could experience a sudden loss of steering control, significantly increasing the risk of a serious collision.

Warning Signs Drivers May Notice

Before a complete failure occurs, some drivers may notice changes in how the vehicle steers, including:

Reduced steering precision
A steering wheel that is noticeably off-center while driving straight
Steering that feels abnormal or inconsistent

Drivers experiencing any of these symptoms should have their vehicle inspected immediately and avoid delaying repairs.

How the Defect Was Discovered

The investigation began after a dealership reported finding a loose steering gear nut on a 2025 Chevrolet Express. On May 28, 2026, a GM quality manager submitted the concern through the company’s internal Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) reporting program.

GM formally opened an investigation on June 2, 2026. The supplier later determined that a malfunctioning inspection sensor had allowed improperly assembled steering gear units to leave the production line. By reviewing manufacturing torque records, the supplier was able to identify the potentially affected steering gear assemblies.

In addition to the original report, GM identified nine field incidents that may have been related to the defect. Fortunately, the company reported that none of those incidents resulted in injuries or crashes.

On June 18, 2026, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority approved a formal safety recall.

What Is the Remedy?

GM dealerships will inspect the steering gear assembly and replace it if necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning August 10, 2026.

The recall information is:

GM Recall Number: N262563570
NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-399

What Should Owners Do?

If you own a 2025 or 2026 Chevrolet Express or GMC Savana, watch for your recall notice to see whether your vehicle is included. Even if your vehicle appears to be operating normally, steering system defects can become dangerous with little warning. Prompt inspection and repair are the best way to reduce the risk of a steering-related accident.

If you have already experienced steering problems, or if you were involved in a collision that may have been caused by this defect, it is important to preserve any repair records and seek legal advice regarding your rights. A manufacturer’s safety recall does not automatically compensate drivers for injuries or property damage that may have occurred before the recall was issued.

Owners of certain 2020-2022 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) should be aware of a problem involving a potential high-voltage battery defect that could lead to a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked and turned off. The recall affects vehicles equipped with specific high-voltage battery packs manufactured during a limited production period.

What Is the Problem?

According to Chrysler, some affected Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid vehicles were built with high-voltage battery cells produced on an alternative assembly line at LG Energy Solution (LGES). Engineers have determined that these battery packs may experience an internal failure that can result in thermal runaway, a condition where battery cells rapidly overheat and potentially ignite. What makes this recall particularly concerning is that the fire risk may exist even when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is turned off.

Which Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall applies to certain 2020-2022 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrids. The affected vehicles were manufactured between August 5, 2020, and May 2, 2022, during the period when batteries containing cells from the alternative LG Energy Solution production line were installed. Vehicles built before or after this time frame, non-hybrid Pacifica models, and vehicles equipped with battery cells from LGES’s primary production line are not included in this recall.

How Was the Issue Discovered?

Federal regulators have been investigating reports of battery fires in Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs for more than two years. The timeline includes:

January 17, 2024: NHTSA opened an investigation into battery-related thermal events in earlier model Pacifica PHEVs.
March 27, 2026: The investigation expanded to include 2017-2026 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid vehicles.
April 30, 2026: Chrysler launched its own internal investigation into fires involving 2020-2022 models.
May 28, 2026: Chrysler concluded that a safety defect exists and initiated a recall.

How Many Fires Have Been Reported?

As of May 15, 2026, Chrysler reported:

4 confirmed field reports of fires
3 customer assistance records
No reported injuries
No reported crashes

While Chrysler describes the incidents as occurring at a very low frequency, each reported fire involved battery cells manufactured on the alternative LG Energy Solution assembly line. Engineers have analyzed the one recovered battery pack involved in a fire, but the exact root cause has not yet been determined. Chrysler and LG Energy Solution continue to investigate.

What Should Owners Do?

Until repairs are completed, Chrysler is advising owners to take the following precautions:

Do not charge the vehicle.
Park the vehicle outside.
Park away from homes, garages, and other structures.

These temporary precautions are intended to reduce the risk should a battery failure occur.

What Is the Repair?

Chrysler dealers will perform repairs including:

Updating the high-voltage battery control module software
Inspecting the high-voltage battery pack
Replacing the battery pack if inspection determines replacement is necessary

Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing June 23, 2026.

Recall Information

Manufacturer Recall Number: 52D
NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-362

If your vehicle is included in this recall, it is important to follow Chrysler’s safety recommendations and schedule repairs as soon as they become available.

At Edzant Price LLP, we encourage vehicle owners to stay informed about manufacturer recalls and to document any issues they experience with their vehicles. If a defect results in property damage or personal injury, understanding your legal rights can be an important part of protecting yourself and your family.

Owners of certain Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs should be aware of a newly announced safety defect involving the vehicle’s side airbag system. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Campaign Number 26V-328, a software issue may delay the deployment of side airbags during certain types of crashes, potentially increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

The recall affects approximately 419,035 vehicles, including:

2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2023-2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

What Is the Problem?

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has determined that a software error within the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) module can affect how the vehicle responds when a door airbag pressure sensor experiences a fault.

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, “Side Impact Protection,” requires side airbags to deploy quickly enough to help protect occupants of different sizes in a variety of side-impact crash scenarios. According to FCA’s investigation, a faulted door airbag pressure sensor may cause the Side Air Bag (SAB) to deploy later than intended during certain crashes. While the airbags may still deploy, any delay in deployment could reduce occupant protection during a side-impact collision and increase the risk of injury.

What Causes the Issue?

The issue involves the interaction between the vehicle’s door airbag pressure sensors and the software within the Occupant Restraint Controller.

FCA first became aware of a small number of warranty incidents involving door airbag pressure sensors in February 2023. Engineers spent more than three years investigating the issue by analyzing returned components, reviewing field data, conducting extensive engineering studies, and evaluating potential failure modes involving door wiring, sensors, and software strategies. The company even modified a door wire harness in May 2024 as part of its ongoing investigation.

In June 2024, FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (TSRC) group launched a formal investigation into reports that certain vehicles could experience delayed side airbag deployment during specific crash conditions. Through continued testing and analysis, FCA eventually determined that a vehicle build issue could result in a failure to comply with FMVSS No. 214.

On May 14, 2026, FCA formally concluded that a safety-related noncompliance existed in certain vehicles.

Are There Any Warning Signs?

According to recall documents, there may be no warning before the condition develops. However, once the fault is detected, drivers may notice:

The airbag warning light remains illuminated on the instrument cluster.
An audible chime sounds during each ignition cycle.

If either of these symptoms occurs, owners should have the vehicle inspected promptly.

What Is the Safety Risk?

Side airbags are designed to provide critical protection during side-impact crashes. If deployment is delayed, occupants may not receive the intended level of protection during the initial stages of a collision. As a result, the risk of injury could be higher than expected during certain crash scenarios.

What Is Chrysler’s Fix?

Chrysler dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) software free of charge. The software update is intended to correct the issue and ensure proper side airbag deployment performance in compliance with federal safety standards.

What Owners Should Do

Owners of affected vehicles should:

Watch for an illuminated airbag warning light.
Schedule recall repairs as soon as they become available.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning June 11, 2026.

Recall Information

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-328
Chrysler Recall Number: 01D
Vehicles Affected: Approximately 419,035
Component: Air Bags / Occupant Restraint Controller Software
Remedy: ORC software update performed

Owners of several popular full-size GM SUVs may soon receive a recall notice tied to a potentially serious wheel hub safety issue. General Motors has announced a new safety recall affecting certain 2025–2026 luxury and SUV models equipped with 24-inch wheels after discovering that incorrect bolts may have been installed on the front wheel hubs.

The recall has been assigned NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-304 and impacts approximately 2,464 vehicles across the United States.

What Is the Problem?

According to GM, some affected vehicles may have been serviced using incorrect front wheel hub bolts. The issue specifically involves vehicles equipped with 24-inch wheels where dealers may have reused production-installed bolts during installation of an accessory brake package or while servicing front wheel hub bearings.

Over time, these incorrect bolts can loosen, deform, or potentially break.

If one bolt loosens or fails while driving, excessive stress can be transferred to the remaining bolts. In severe cases, this could lead to partial loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.

GM states that the problem originated from incorrect service information and accessory brake kit instructions that failed to specify unique fasteners required for vehicles equipped with 24-inch wheels.

Vehicles Included in Recall 26V-304

The following vehicles may be affected:

Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac Escalade ESV
Chevrolet Suburban 1500
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Yukon
GMC Yukon XL

Only certain vehicles equipped with 24-inch wheels are included in the recall population.

Warning Signs Drivers May Notice

GM says drivers of affected vehicles could experience symptoms before a failure occurs, including:

Noise coming from the front wheel area
Vibration felt through the steering wheel or chassis
Unusual wheel hub movement or instability

Drivers noticing these symptoms should have their vehicle inspected immediately.

How GM Discovered the Issue

GM’s investigation began in April 2026 after a product investigator identified that accessory brake package kits (RPO 5JL) lacked separate instructions and special fasteners required for vehicles equipped with 24-inch wheels.

The automaker also discovered that its electronic parts catalog (EPC) failed to identify the proper replacement bolts during front hub bearing service procedures.

GM received seven field complaints potentially related to this condition between January 2025 and April 2026. Despite the complaints, GM reports that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries connected to the defect.

On May 7, 2026, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) approved a formal safety recall.

What Dealers Will Do

To correct the issue, GM dealers will:

Inspect affected vehicles
Replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts with the correct parts

Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing on June 29, 2026.

Recall Information

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-304
GM Recall Number: N262554630
Vehicles Potentially Affected: 2,464

General Motors has issued a serious safety recall and “Do Not Drive” warning affecting a small number of 4WD and AWD Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles after discovering a defect that could cause the front or rear wheels to lock up without warning while driving.

The issue centers around defective transfer case assemblies that may have been built without a critical oil pickup tube — a component necessary to properly lubricate internal bearings inside the transfer case. Without lubrication, the transfer case can fail suddenly, potentially causing wheel lock-up and increasing the risk of a crash.

Which GM Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall impacts certain:

2026 Cadillac Escalade
2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2026 Chevrolet Suburban
2026 Chevrolet Tahoe
2026 GMC Sierra 1500
2026 GMC Yukon
2026 GMC Yukon XL

The recall also includes certain 2015–2020 model year:

Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Cadillac Escalade
Cadillac Escalade ESV
GMC Yukon
GMC Yukon XL

Only vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) are affected. Rear-wheel-drive-only vehicles do not use the same transfer case and are not included in the recall.

What Is Causing the Wheel Lock-Up Problem?

According to GM’s defect report, the issue stems from manufacturing errors at a supplier facility during assembly line process changes.

GM says standardized assembly procedures and quality control protocols were not properly followed, allowing some transfer case assemblies to leave the factory without the oil pickup tube installed. Normally, built-in error-proofing systems would detect and reject incomplete assemblies, but those safeguards were bypassed.

Without the oil pickup tube:

Transfer case bearings may not receive proper lubrication.
Internal components can overheat or seize.
The transfer case can fail suddenly.
Front and/or rear wheels may lock up while driving.

Drivers May Hear Grinding Noises Before Failure

GM says some drivers may notice a grinding sound before the wheels lock up. However, the wheel lock-up could also occur with little or no warning. A sudden wheel lock-up at highway speeds could result in loss of vehicle control and significantly increase the risk of a crash.

How GM Discovered the Problem

The issue first came to light on April 14, 2026, when a GM engineer submitted a report through the company’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program after reviewing a failed transfer case from a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that experienced wheel lock-up in a parking lot.

A teardown inspection revealed the transfer case was missing the oil pickup tube entirely.

GM officially opened a product investigation on April 17, 2026.

Using supplier end-of-line torque testing data, GM identified:

68 suspect transfer case assemblies
46 assemblies installed in 2026 production vehicles
1 suspect service replacement transfer case shipped for repairs involving older 2015–2020 vehicles
54 dealerships that may have received the suspect replacement parts
21 vehicles that may have received defective replacement transfer cases during service repairs

GM’s investigation identified four field complaints potentially related to the defect. At this time, GM says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to the issue. GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority approved the recall on April 30, 2026.

What Owners Should Do

GM is urging affected owners not to drive their vehicles until the recall inspection and repair have been completed. Owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing on June 22, 2026.

Recall Information

GM Recall Number: N262557620
NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-289

Owners of certain 2021-2025 Ford Bronco SUVs should be aware of a newly announced safety defect affecting the vehicle’s powertrain. Identified under NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-236, this issue impacts approximately 4,922 vehicles and centers around a potentially serious problem with the connection between the transmission and transfer case.

What’s the Problem?

The recall stems from a misalignment that can occur during previous service repairs involving the transmission or transfer case. If these components are not properly aligned when reassembled, it can lead to premature wear of critical internal splines, specifically the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines.

Over time, this wear can reduce the ability of these parts to properly transfer power from the engine to the wheels.

Why This Matters

If the spline wear becomes severe, drivers may experience:

Loss of motive power while driving
Failure of the vehicle to properly engage “Park”
Vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied

These conditions significantly increase the risk of a crash, particularly if the issue occurs unexpectedly while driving or when the vehicle is parked on an incline.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Ford notes that affected drivers may notice early warning symptoms before a failure occurs, including:

Grinding noises
Clunking sounds
Unusual vibrations

If you’re experiencing any of these issues—especially after recent drivetrain service—it’s worth getting your vehicle checked immediately.

How Ford Discovered the Issue

Ford first flagged the problem in November 2025 after reviewing warranty claims on 2022–2023 Bronco models reporting noise, vibration, and drive engagement failures. By December, the issue was escalated internally, and a deeper investigation revealed similar cases across 2021-2025 models.

Engineers ultimately determined that improper alignment during past repairs was the root cause. Testing confirmed that even slight misalignment could reproduce the same wear patterns seen in failed components.

To address this, Ford updated its service procedures on February 26, 2026 to ensure proper alignment during repairs going forward.

How Many Vehicles Are Affected?

While nearly 5,000 vehicles in the U.S. had undergone relevant repairs prior to the updated procedures, only a small number of confirmed cases have been reported so far 26 vehicles globally as of March 2026.

What’s the Fix?

Dealers will:

Inspect the transmission-to-transfer case joint
Replace the transmission and/or transfer case if necessary

Recall Timeline

April 27, 2026: Interim notification letters sent to owners
July 2026 (anticipated): Final remedy available and follow-up letters sent

Ford has assigned this recall the internal number 26S26.

What Should You Do?

If you own a 2021–2025 Bronco:

Watch your mail for official recall notifications
Pay attention to any unusual drivetrain noises or behavior
Always use your parking brake when parked (especially on inclines)
Contact your local Ford dealer if you have concerns

Final Thoughts

This recall highlights how even routine service work can introduce issues if not performed precisely—especially in complex drivetrain systems. While the number of confirmed cases is relatively small, the potential safety risks make this an important issue for Bronco owners to take seriously.