Tag Archives: unexpected roll away

Kia Telluride Recall: Fire and Rollaway Risks Affect Over 400,000 SUVs

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Kia’s popular SUV, the Telluride, is now under recall — again. This time, the issues are far more serious than a glitchy infotainment system or a faulty sensor. Kia has confirmed two separate safety defects that could put drivers and passengers at risk of vehicle fires or unintended rollaways.

If you’re a California driver, and especially if your Telluride is still under warranty, these problems could also qualify you for protection under the California Lemon Law.

What’s going wrong?

There are two major defects involved in this recall, both affecting 2020 through 2024 Kia Tellurides:

  1. Fire risk: The power seat motor may overheat and catch fire. The problem is linked to the seat adjustment knob, which can become stuck and cause the motor to continue running even when it shouldn’t. This can lead to electrical overheating and a real risk of interior fires — even when the vehicle is parked.
  2. Rollaway risk: In a separate issue, improperly assembled driveshaft components can cause the vehicle to roll away while in park, especially if the parking brake isn’t engaged. This is clearly a serious safety hazard.

What is Kia doing about it?

Kia dealerships will:

  • Install protective brackets around the seat switches and replace adjustment knobs where needed
  • Inspect and replace intermediate shafts related to the rollaway issue

Repairs are currently ongoing. Kia has not yet indicated widespread part delays, but given the scope of the recall, some wait times are possible.

What to know about California Lemon Law

California’s Lemon Law doesn’t just cover cars that have persistent engine problems — it also applies to major safety issues like these. If your Telluride has:

  • Been in the shop multiple times for the same defect
  • Been out of service for 30 or more days total
  • Or if the fire or rollaway problems persist after attempted repairs

You may be eligible for a buyback, replacement vehicle, or financial compensation. You also don’t have to pay legal fees — manufacturers are required to cover them if your case qualifies.

What you should do:

  • Review your repair history — especially any seat or drivetrain work
  • Contact your dealership to complete the recall repair if you haven’t already
  • Document everything — repair orders, communication with service staff, even photos if you’ve noticed unusual smells or damage
  • Reach out to a Lemon Law professional if your Telluride has been unreliable or unsafe

It doesn’t matter how new your SUV is — if it puts you or your family at risk, California law is there to protect you. If you’re tired of dealing with safety concerns or have lost trust in your Telluride, we’re here to help you understand your rights — and take the next step if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon. Call us at 888-395-3666 or fill in the free Lemon Law case review form at the top of this page.

Ford and Lincoln Transmission Valve Failure

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A critical issue affecting the transmission valve body of certain Ford Bronco, Explorer, F-150, Mustang, Ranger, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles can cause reverse gear failure or unexpected forward movement while in reverse or neutral gear. This problem could be a significant safety risk to drivers and passengers.

According to Ford, the issue is attributed to an incorrectly machined transmission valve body, specifically the Outer Valve Body (OVB) of the transmission main control. The machining tool used during production did not maintain proper specifications, resulting in out-of-specification dimensions that can prevent the vehicle from entering reverse gear when commanded by the gear shift module.

Symptoms of the problem include no reverse motion when the gear selector is in reverse, and in some cases, the vehicle may move forward with the gear selector in either reverse or neutral position. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) and Wrench light will illuminate on the dashboard when this malfunction occurs.

The recall affects vehicles, including:

  • 2024-2025 Ford Bronco
  • 2025 Ford Explorer
  • 2024-2025 Ford F-150
  • 2025 Ford Mustang
  • 2024 Ford Ranger
  • 2025 Lincoln Aviator

Ford’s investigation into the matter began in February 2025, after a transmission failure was reported on a 2025 Mustang at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant. The company subsequently issued a Stop Ship order for affected models and launched an analysis of the suspect transmissions.

Using advanced data analytics, including Machine Integrated Learning and Optimization (MILO) modeling, Ford identified individual Outer Valve Body units that were likely to experience this condition. The company then conducted evaluations of vehicles equipped with suspect parts and confirmed the symptoms reported by customers.

As of February 21, 2025, Ford had received five warranty reports related to this issue. On March 7, 2025, the company’s Field Review Committee approved a field action, which includes replacing the transmission main control valve body.

Ford has notified owners of affected vehicles and has begun repairing the transmissions. The recall is identified as Ford’s number 25S19 and NHTSA Campaign Number 25V-164.

This recall highlights the importance of rigorous quality control measures in the automotive manufacturing process. The issue serves as a reminder that even minor defects can have significant consequences on vehicle safety and performance.

Nissan Titan And Frontier Trucks
Roll-Away Risk Recall Expanded

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The owners of certain 2020-2023 Nissan Titan and 2020-2023 Nissan Frontier trucks equipped with 9-speed transmissions, could experience an unexpected vehicle roll-away. A fix for the problem is still under development and Nissan is continuing to investigate whether other Nissan or Infiniti automobiles could be affected.

The problem began in June 2022, when Nissan initiated a recall (22V-457) for certain Nissan Titan and Frontier vehicles manufactured from December 13, 2019, to June 14, 2022. These vehicles were experiencing a potential non-engagement of the parking pawl due to contact between the edge of the parking pawl and the boss on the transmission case. As a result, vehicles could unexpectedly roll away if they were in “Park” but the parking brake was not applied.

In July, Nissan received another report from the Canton, MS plant, that a 2022 Nissan Frontier vehicle produced after June 14, 2022, had moved after being placed in the ‘P” Park position. Nissan investigated the incident and conducted duplication testing to recreate the condition. They found that this issue appeared to be different than the one in recall 22V-457. This problem appeared to be related to an insufficient lifting force of the parking pawl due to friction between the parking rod and the parking wedge. Nissan initiated a quality hold on all 2020-2023 Titan and Frontier vehicles and conducted a plant audit that identified 11 out of 83 vehicles with the subject condition.

The investigation to date indicates that resistance between the parking rod and wedge inside of the transmission housing may inhibit movement of the wedge and parking pawl. If the parking pawl does not engage, an affected vehicle may move after placing the shifter into ‘Park.’ If the driver does not engage the parking brake, potential vehicle movement could increase the risk of injury or crash.

Nissan has decided to conduct a recall campaign due to the safety risk of a potential vehicle roll-away condition. Nissan’s investigation is ongoing, and the final recall fix is still under development. Nissan will be notifying all owners of the affected vehicles, including those that received a letter under recall 22V-457. The interim notification will include instructions advising owners to apply the parking brake whenever they park their vehicle. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 22V-671.

If your vehicle is experiencing repeated problems like the ones listed above, 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!

2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E Half Shaft Replacement

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Ford will be contacting a small number of 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E owners regarding a defect affecting the half-shaft in their cars. Some Mach-E vehicles may have been manufactured with a right rear half-shaft that could break under load.

Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group became aware that there was a problem in July 2022, when product engineering identified two vehicles with broken rear right half-shafts. One broken half-shaft was found during a squeak and rattle validation, and a second just before it was being loaded for transport.

Further investigation found that improper placement during the green turning in the lathe caused too much material to be removed, exceeding the specified minimum wall thickness of 9.1mm. Supplier records showed that inspection of the bottom wall thickness of the rear right half-shaft outer race had been suspended for a period of time which allowed non-compliant parts to pass inspection and be installed in finished rear right half-shaft assemblies. Ford’s team reviewed supplier maintenance records to determine the population of affected parts to have been produced between 07/18/2022 and 07/29/2022.

A broken half-shaft will result in loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels, necessary for motive power and for the transmission to hold the vehicle in park. If the electronic parking brake (EPB) is not manually applied, the loss of the primary park torque will allow the vehicle to roll with the transmission in park.

Owners receiving notifications will be instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer. Dealers will photograph the label on the right rear half-shaft to confirm the suspect serial number(s). If the serial number matches, the dealer will replace the right rear half-shaft. Customers will be advised to manually apply the parking brake until the inspection and repair is completed. Ford’s number for this recall is 22S55 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-646.

Software Error Could Result In An Unexpected Vehicle Roll-Away

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Automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia will be asking owners of certain 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 2022 Kia EV6 vehicles, to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the parking brake mechanism. A software error in the Shifter Control Unit (SCU) may disengage the parking mechanism and allow the vehicle to roll away.

Hyundai and Kia first became aware of the problem in April/May 2022 after reports about warranty claims involving some Ioniq 5 and EV6 vehicles in Korea. The vehicles allegedly unexpectedly rolled away after being parked on an incline with the ignition off. Further investigation into the incidents found voltage fluctuations in the electrical system that could affect the command signal from the Shifter Control Unit (SCU) to the parking actuator. The result would be a momentary disengagement of the parking pawl.

According to the safety report, the subject vehicles are equipped with a shift-by-wire system with a shifter control unit and parking pawl actuator motor. If a voltage fluctuation occurs when the vehicle is off and in Park, the signal from the SCU to the actuator may be affected. The problem could result in the temporary disengagement of the parking mechanism and a potential vehicle roll away.

Owners will be asked to return to the dealerships to have the Shifter Control Unit software updated. Drivers are recommended to use the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) when parking their vehicles until the software update has been performed. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 228 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-324. Kia’s number for this recall is SC236 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-332.

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

2016 Kia Optima Driveshaft Noises & Loss Of Power

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Kia Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Kia Optima‘s, regarding a problem affecting the right front axle driveshaft. Insufficient welds at the wheel end of the shaft may result in driveshaft cracks. During acceleration from a stopped position, the crack could completely separate, resulting in a loud noise and loss of motive power. If the driver fails to engage the parking brake under these conditions the vehicle could unexpectedly roll away.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the front axle driveshaft replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC139 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-705.

GM Unexpected Roll Away From Damaged Park Lock Lever

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General Motors will be asking the owners of certain Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles to return to their dealerships to repair an electrical problem affecting the power train system. The ignition systems in these vehicles may contain a damaged electronic park lock lever that could allow the ignition key to be removed when the transmission shows it is in “Park”. The vehicle could unexpectedly roll away, potentially causing an accident. Continue reading →

Chrysler Recalls Vehicles For Unexpected Rollaway

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An investigation into gear shifters problems, suspected to be linked to the death of Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, has been closed by the NHTSA following a recall issued by Chrysler. The vehicles affected are equipped with an 8 speed transmission and a monostable gear selector and include:

According to the defect report, drivers may not be adequately alerted when they exit the vehicle and the transmission is not in the “Park” position. Drivers could be struck and injured if they get out of the vehicle while the engine is running and the parking brake is not engaged. Continue reading →