Tag Archives: Software Problem

Blank Instrument Display in Select 2024 Buick and Chevrolet Vehicles

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Owners of certain 2024 Buick and Chevrolet models should be aware of a critical software issue affecting their vehicles. This concern, primarily impacting the Buick Encore GX, Buick Envista, and Chevrolet Trax, has prompted a safety recall due to the risk of instrument panel displays going blank, either at startup or while driving.

In August 2023, General Motors’ Safety and Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) initially addressed this issue through a service update bulletin. The bulletin aimed to update the Virtual Cockpit Unit (VCU) software in the affected models. However, this measure escalated to a safety recall after an intervention by the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute (KATRI).

During a meeting in September 2023 between GM Korea representatives and KATRI officials, KATRI determined that the issue warranted a safety recall rather than a mere service update. This decision was influenced by the potential danger posed by the software malfunction.

To date, GM has received 255 global complaints regarding the instrument panel blackout, though, fortunately, there have been no reported accidents or injuries related to this issue. Nonetheless, the risk cannot be understated. A blackout of the instrument panel while driving can dangerously divert the driver’s attention, escalating the risk of a crash.

Affected vehicle owners will be notified about the recall, identified by GM’s number A232424320 and the NHTSA campaign number 23V-744. To resolve the issue, owners can opt for a dealer visit to update the VCU software or choose an over-the-air (OTA) update.

The initiative to convert the service update into a safety recall underscores the importance of proactive safety measures in the automotive industry. The issue of the blank instrument displays in select 2024 Buick and Chevrolet vehicles is concerning and vehicle owners are encouraged to respond promptly to the notice to ensure their safety on the road.

Nissan Ariya Inverter Software Problem

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Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is reaching out to the owners of certain 2023 Ariya vehicles due to an issue with the inverter software. This problem may trigger the inverter to detect a short circuit, causing a shutdown of the EV system and a loss of drive power.

The Discovery of the Problem:

Nissan first became aware of this issue during a production trial involving an Ariya vehicle in January 2022. In this trial, the electric motor abruptly shut off shortly after the vehicle began moving at low speed. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) revealed a short circuit inside the motor, although no actual damage to the motor or its components was observed. A deeper investigation into the problem found that in some rare instances, conductive fibers generated during the operation from the slip ring in the motor could lead to a momentary short circuit between the electrodes.

Understanding the Problem:

Nissan Ariya dashAccording to the defect report, the root cause of the issue lies in conductive fibrous shavings from the drive motors’ slip ring assembly. These shavings can occasionally cause a momentary short circuit between the two slip rings. When this occurs, the fibrous shavings are instantaneously burned out, causing no harm to any vehicle components. However, when the inverter detects a momentary over-current due to the short circuit, it reduces motor torque to protect the internal components of the controller. This leads to a loss of drive power, and an “EV System Off” message is displayed on the dashboard to alert the driver.

In the event of this issue occurring, the torque to the driven wheels is cut off. This continues until the fail-safe mode is released, which requires turning the vehicle off and then back on. An unexpected loss of motive power while driving at high speeds could potentially increase the risk of an accident.

Nissan’s Solution:

To address this safety concern, Nissan dealers will reprogram the inverter software to enhance the fail-safe protocols. This proactive measure aims to prevent such short circuits from impacting the driving experience and maintaining safety for the driver.

Recall Details:

Nissan has designated this recall as R23C6 and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned the campaign number 23V-657 to this recall.

Chevy Bolt Electrical Shock Chevrolet Bolt Potential Electrical Shock From Charging Chord

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General Motors (GM) will be contacting the owners of certain 2022-2023 model year Chevrolet Bolt EUVs about a defect that pertains to motor vehicle safety, specifically concerning the Webasto high-voltage portable charging cords that come with these vehicles. The issue revolves around incorrect software within these charging cords, which may fail to discontinue charging if the ground connection is lost.

Discovery of the Defect

The discovery of this safety concern began with a supplier plant audit conducted on March 8, 2023, by GM’s quality engineer. During this audit, it was uncovered that an incorrect hardware/software combination was being used in the production of portable charging cords for the Chevrolet Bolt EUV. GM initiated a review of the situation on April 18, 2023, and subsequently reported it to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program. This led to the official commencement of a product investigation on May 9, 2023.

The Safety Risk

GM’s investigation revealed a crucial mismatch between the software and hardware in the affected charging cords. Under specific circumstances, this mismatch could hinder the software’s ability to properly interpret information from monitored circuitry. Consequently, the cord assembly’s internal processor might fail to detect a ground loss promptly, leading to a delay in halting further charging. Particularly at high ambient temperatures and under limited conditions, users might experience a brief electric shock lasting just 1/40th of a second.

Affected Vehicles and Recall Decision

GM’s investigators managed to identify 374 specific serial numbers for the parts affected by this defect, tracing them back to the production period when these potentially flawed components were used. During this period, GM produced 10,825 vehicles, out of which 9,423 are located in the United States. Importantly, as of now, GM is not aware of any field incidents related to this condition.

Recognizing the potential safety risks associated with this issue, on August 24, 2023, GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority made the crucial decision to conduct an equipment safety recall.

How the Recall Affects Users

For individuals who have been using the portable charging cord with their Chevrolet Bolt EUV, there is a potential risk of being exposed to unprotected high voltage if the cord set loses its ground connection during use. This increases the risk of a very brief electrical shock.

To address this safety concern, GM dealerships will inspect and replace the portable charging cord as necessary. Users are encouraged to contact their local GM dealership or visit GM’s official website to check if their vehicle is affected by this recall. The recall is identified by GM as N2324073000, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned it the campaign number 23E-065.

Is your Chevrolet Bolt EV a Lemon?

For Chevrolet Bolt owners who believe they may have been sold a “lemon” vehicle or are experiencing repeated issues with their Bolt, the California Lemon Law can provide a potential solution. The California Lemon Law is a legal framework that offers protection to consumers who have purchased or leased defective vehicles, including those with safety concerns like the Chevrolet Bolt recall.
Under the California Lemon Law, if a vehicle experiences recurring issues that substantially impair its use, safety, or value, and the manufacturer fails to repair it after a reasonable number of attempts, the vehicle may be eligible for a buyback or replacement. If you suspect that your Chevrolet Bolt is a lemon due to issues beyond the recent recall, it is advisable to consult with a qualified attorney experienced in lemon law cases to explore your options and seek a resolution.

In conclusion, the Chevrolet Bolt recall underscores the importance of prompt action by manufacturers to address safety concerns. If you own a Chevrolet Bolt and are concerned about its safety or repeated issues, understanding your rights under the California Lemon Law can provide a potential avenue for relief and resolution. Always prioritize your safety and the safety of others on the road when it comes to vehicle recalls and defects.

2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator And Corsair Seat Belt Warning Malfunction

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Ford Motor Company (Ford) has decided that a defect affecting the seat belt warning system could exist in certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2023 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The vehicles affected are equipped with a Revel Audio System.

The problem was discovered in November 2022 when Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group received complaints pertaining to the seat belt warning chime reminder on a 2022 Lincoln Aviator PHEV.

The seat belt reminder system was tested on various combinations of powertrain and audio systems of Lincoln Aviators in an attempt to reproduce the problem. It was discovered that some Lincoln Aviator PHEV vehicles could experience an initial chime duration of fewer than 4 seconds. An audible signal that is activated for less than 4 seconds can result in decreased safety belt usage, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

The engineering team and audio supplier conducted a design of experiments to gain a better understanding of the cause and scope of the problem. They found that the problem affected vehicles equipped with the Revel audio system, introduced on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Corsair. Further seat belt reminder system evaluations were conducted at Ford assembly plants and it was concluded that 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2022 Corsair vehicles could experience the symptom of a chime duration of fewer than 4 seconds

According to the defect report, when the driver’s seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of fewer than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for occupant crash protection.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to contact their dealers about updating the audio control module software in their vehicles. Ford’s number for this recall is 22C35 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-953.

Volvo PHEVs Could Experience Loss Of Power And Will Not Restart

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Some 2022-2023 Volvo PHEV vehicles could experience a loss of drive power because of a software error that may prevent the combustion engine from starting. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in December.

Volvo first became aware of the problem after receiving complaints of a vehicle no start condition in several Volvo models. (A low coolant flow issue was determined to be a potential cause.) Further investigation found that the estimated cooling flow on the electrical drive (ED) cooling circuit was set to zero when max cooling was requested. The problem was caused by faulty software logic. When the estimated cooling flow is set to zero the inverter generator module will set available torque to zero and the combustion engine will not start.

If the issue occurs the driver will experience a warning message in dim that “Propulsion System Service is Required“, at start. The vehicle will continue to start and drive on electric propulsion until a second warning appears – “Turtle in DIM and speed limited to 75 km/h“. If the driver ignores these visual and mechanical warnings, the vehicle will display “stop safely” and lose electric propulsion as the high voltage battery is depleted.

The vehicles affected include:

2022-2023 Volvo S60
2022-2023 Volvo S90
2022-2023 Volvo V60
2022-2023 Volvo XC60
2022-2023 Volvo XC90

The problem will be corrected through a ECM software update. Volvo’s number for this recall is R10198 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-793.

If your vehicle is experiencing repeated problems it could be a Lemon. Know your Lemon Law Rights. If you have any questions about your rights and the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 1-888-395-3666 and get some great Lemon Law advice!

BMW Software Update For Missing CID Warning Information

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BMW North America, LLC (BMW) will be contacting the owners of certain 2022 i4 and 2022-2023 iX electric vehicles equipped with hybrid electric powertrains. These vehicles do not meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for “Control and Displays.” A software problem could affect the information that shows up on the Central Information Display (CID) of the vehicle’s console.

BMW first became aware of the problem in May 2022, during a quality check at the BMW vehicle assembly plant. Testers noticed that important safety warning messages were not showing up on the CID display during certain test configurations. They began an investigation that looked at vehicle build configurations, packages, options and other design features. BMW also investigated other vehicle types which were thought to have a production release involving the same software configuration. The investigation included an assessment of the Head Unit software functionality when the vehicle was in normal operating mode, and when the vehicle was placed in valet parking mode.

According to the defect report, a programming/coding issue was not allowing the display of certain warning messages in the CID, while in valet parking mode. BMW reviewed vehicle assembly information and supplier production records to determine the number and production dates of potentially affected vehicles. On June 29, 2022, BMW decided to conduct a recall. BMW has not aware of any accidents or injuries that may be related to this issue. Almost seven thousand vehicles are affected by this recall.

The vehicles affected by this problem include:

2022-2023 BMW iX xDrive40
2022-2023 BMW iX xDrive50
2022-2023 BMW iX M60
2022 BMW i4 eDrive40
2022 BMW i4 M50

Owners receiving recall notices will be asked to contact their BMW dealer to have the CID display’s head unit software updated. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 22V-483.

2018-2020 Buick Regal
Loss Of Power Brake Assist

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General Motors (GM) has determined that certain 2018-2020 Buick Regal vehicles may have a software defect that could affect the power brake assist system. Because of this error, these vehicles fail to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for “Braking Systems”.

In April 2022, a brake performance issue on a 2019 Opel Insignia, a sister vehicle of the Buick Regal, was brought to the attention of GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program. An investigation was opened and the problem was found to be a software issue. According to the defect report, a software error could cause the hydraulic brake boost to fail and not respond to a loss of brake vacuum pressure. Tests conducted on a Buick Regal by GM, showed that stopping distance following the loss of vacuum brake pressure could exceed FMVSS 135 requirements by 1-5 percent.

Field data has identified four claims received by GM in which the vehicle’s invalid vacuum pressure diagnostic trouble code (DTC) was set and the hydraulic brake boost was disabled. None of these claims involved an allegation that the condition contributed to a crash, and GM is not aware of any crashes or injuries relating to this condition. In June, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a non-compliance recall.

According to the defect report, a loss of vacuum brake assist pressure will cause these vehicles to exceed the stopping distance requirements. If the vehicle’s vacuum-power brake assist partially or fully fails, braking events may require additional stopping distance, depending on the brake pedal force applied by the driver. Increased stopping distances could increase the risk of a crash.

NOTE: During a partial or full loss of vacuum brake assist, the vehicle may display a message in the Driver Information Center, a malfunction warning light may illuminate and the driver may notice increased brake pedal resistance.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the EBCM software updated in their vehicles. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 22V-465.

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