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Ford Mustang Class Action Suit over Manual Transmission Woes

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Ford Mustang is facing a class action lawsuit over manual transmission. The suit covers cars purchased or leased from 2011-2019 equipped with MT82 or MT82-D4 transmissions. As per the owners of Ford Mustang, cars have defects that cause the transmissions to slip, jerk, engage harshly, clash gears, suffer premature wear, and eventually fail.

The suit also claims that transmission replacement does not solve that problem. “Repairing or replacing the defective parts does not resolve the Transmission problem, as the customer is left with inherently defective parts or receives another defective part in its place.”

The class action lawsuit claims that Ford was aware of the transmission problems as back in 2010 during pre-release testing and alleges that the automaker “has actively concealed the transmission defect” and “failed to disclose this defect to consumers” after knowing the issue. The suit also notes that Ford has issued several special service messages and technical service bulletins to dealerships regarding the shifting issues and other defects.

The lawsuit states that the automaker caused the problem by using less expensive manual transmissions. Both the Getrag MT82 and MT82-D4 transmissions are defective according to the owners and have created endless problems.

The suit references a 2011 NHTSA investigation which found 364 reports about shifting while driving, especially in cold weather. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation concluded, “There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles,” and it closed the investigation.

The class action lawsuit is demanding $5 million in damages. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California but has been moved to the Eastern District of Michigan.

Ford Says Transmission Lawsuit Should Be Dismissed

Ford told judges that the entire lawsuit should be dismissed because plaintiffs must specifically allege what is defective about their transmissions rather than relying on “conclusory allegations. Further, Ford argues it is not enough to allege only the symptoms of a defect.

“This disagreement about what is required to plead a defect has not been settled by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Nor does it seem to be a settled issue in any other circuit.” — Judge Michelson

However, the judge found the plaintiffs in the lawsuit alleged more than just symptoms.

“The Court must read Plaintiffs’ allegations as a whole and in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs.” — Judge Michelson

The judge didn’t dismiss the entire Ford class action lawsuit and moved on to discuss claims made by Mustang owners.

Ford has succeeded regarding claims the automaker allegedly violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act but didn’t have much luck regarding providing notice under the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act.

Is Ford Aware About Possible Mustang Transmission Problems?

The judge has approved the class action lawsuit against Ford Mustang. The judge wrote in his order. “But these Plaintiffs allege, to Lee Iacocca’s chagrin, that their cars are more like Pintos than Mustangs.”

The allegations in the lawsuit go back to 2010 and incorporate a 2011 investigation conducted by the NHTSA, though it failed to conclude the MT82 posed any “unreasonable” safety risks.

There were 364 complaints reported by owners, but over 300 of those complaints were provided by Ford.

The MT82-D4 Ford Mustang Transmission

For the 2018 Mustang, Ford released a new version of the transmission, the MT82-D4.

But in March 2018, Ford issued several service bulletins regarding the  “inability or difficulty to shift into second gear” for 2018 Mustangs built on or before November 15, 2017, and then “inability to shift into 3rd or 4th gear” for all 2018 Mustangs. And just two months after that, Ford issued a bulletin for 2018-2019 Mustangs regarding “inability to drive in first and second gear.”

According to the judge, the plaintiffs who purchased 2018 and 2019 Mustangs have adequately pleaded “Ford committed fraud by failing to disclose a material fact about their vehicles’ transmission.”

Have Questions? Talk With Us Now 

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.  

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

Ford Latest Recalls 737,000 Vehicles Over Oil Leaks & Faulty Trailer Brakes

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Ford has issued two recalls involving more than 737,000 vehicles in the United States due to oil leak and trailer brake issues.  

The oil leak recall includes the 2020-22 Ford Escape SUV and the 2021-22 Bronco Sport SUV with 1.5-litre engines. A housing can crack, and oil can leak onto engine parts, which can cause a fire hazard. 

“An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire,” the company says. 

The software error can stop trailers from braking, increasing the risk of a crash. 

Software And Fire Risk Issues 

Ford confirmed it had reports on at least 8 fires incidents and 67 other reports that may be related to the issues but no reports of injuries or crashes.  

The company is also recalling  391,836 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Ford Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln avigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles because a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric over hydraulic brake system might not brake. 

Ford Investigation And Fix 

Ford confirms cracks at the edge of the oil separator housing were causing a loss of seal support, leading to oil leaks between the oil separator and engine camshaft cover. 

“If sufficient engine oil leaks, accumulates, and migrates to an ignition source, an underhood fire can occur, increasing the risk of injury,” the recall notice says. 

Owners are warned that they may smell or see oil smoke coming out from the underhood area. 

The company will start sending notifications by mail to take your vehicle to the dealership to have the oil separator inspected for damage or oil leaks, and, if either is present, to replace the oil separator and seals. It will be free of charge. 

Notification to dealers has begun. Mailing of owner notification letters is expected to begin Apr. 18. 

Trailer Brakes Not Working Issue 

Ford is also recalling  391,836 2021-2022 F-150, 2022 Ford Maverick, Expedition, Lincoln avigator, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles due to trailer brakes not working issue. 

“Loss of trailer brake functionality could result in extended stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash,” according to the recall notice on the NHTSA website. 

This issue is caused by a software error, ford said. The error means a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric over hydraulic brake system may not brake. 

Owners will be notified by mail to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the integrated trailer brake control module software updated free of cost. 

Ford is currently not facing any legal action for the recalls, but people are monitoring it. Last year, Ford was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging a Ford Fusion transmission problem that could cause sudden shaking, violent jerking, and difficulty stopping. 

In December, Ford announced a recall for nearly 115,000 of its 2021 and 2022 model Bronco Sport and Ford Escape SUVs over faulty rear brake linings. 

Have Questions? Talk With Us Now 

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.  

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today. 

2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Recalled Over Faulty Wiring & Fuel Pump

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Mitsubishi has issued a recall alert for Outlander SUVs due to a faulty wiring issue that could cause the fuel pump to shut down unexpectedly. The automaker will recall around 17,000 vehicles. Mitsubishi said that only as little as 1% of the recalled vehicles are affected by wiring issues. But it needs to inspect all to find the faulty ones.

As per the company’s report submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mitsubishi explained that some wires inside the pumps may not be fused correctly. This can shut down vehicles or might stall while driving and not restart. 

17,000 Vehicles Recalled Over Potentially Faulty Fuel Pump

Mitsubishi is recalling nearly 17,000 units of the 2022 Outlander over faulty fuel pump wiring. The automaker explained that not all the SUVs have the issues, but it’s recalling all of them to be on the safe side.

The company said that affected outlanders were built with a fuel pump whose commutator and wires weren’t fused properly, resulting in poor continuity. This can stop gasoline from entering the engine – in turn, the engine would suddenly stall or not start. As per the company, the affected vehicles were built between February 8, 2021, and October 12, 2021.

What’s Next?

The automaker will be sending notifications by mail starting in March 2022. Owners will need to bring their vehicles to the nearest service center to get the fuel pump replaced with an updated one free of charge. 

Owners who have already paid to have their fuel pump replaced or other expenses like a towing bill presumably may be eligible for reimbursement.

Have Questions? Talk With Us Now

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker. At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

Mercedes Lawsuit: 48 Volt Battery Problem

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Imagine you have an important meeting, but your new Mercedes won’t start. This is exactly what happened to a customer when she parked her Mercedes-Benz CLS without any lights or electronics on. After a few hours, the 48-volt battery was drained completely.

If you are a Mercedes owner and experiencing 48-volt battery problems, you’re not alone. Many owners are facing other issues related to the battery such as the car being unable to start, shutting off while in motion.

Mercedes owners are claiming that 48-volt batteries in their vehicles are dying unexpectedly and leaving them without their cars for weeks.

Affected Mercedes Vehicles

It is found that 48-volt battery problems occur mostly with the E-, CLS- and GLE-/GLS-class vehicles model year 2019 and onward for the sedans, and model year 2020 for the SUVs. The investigation isn’t limited to only these models and inspecting all cars with the 48-volt mild hybrid system.

Symptoms of Mercedes 48V Battery Problems

There are many reports of different issues related to 48-volt battery systems. However, the most common issues are no starts and vehicles shutting off in motion.  Drivers say that these problems occur randomly even with a brand-new car with less than 50 miles.

Additionally, vehicles that are towed to the dealership often take several days to diagnose the problem. Some owners are stuck with paying for diagnostics, software updates and even battery replacements.

Mercedes 48 Volt Battery Malfunction: What Are Mercedes Drivers Saying?

“My 2021 E450 All-Terrain wagon is on its third 48-volt battery. The first battery failed after 15 days and 196 miles. The second battery died after 30 days and 535 miles. The third and current battery is still alive and well after 5 months a little over 3,000 miles, but my confidence still hasn’t been restored.” — LONGROOF45, MBWORLD.ORG

“My car is a 2021 E 450 All Terrain with approximately 6,700 miles, delivery taken at the end of March 2021. It would not start 5 days ago while parked in the garage and had to be flatbed towed to the dealer…As of today, my car has been with dealer for 5 days, and other than confirming it would not start due to a faulty 48v battery, I have received zero support from the dealer. I am without a car (no loaners are ‘available’) and they have given me no information on how long my car will be out of service. I can’t even get them to confirm that Mercedes has authorized a battery replacement.” — JAYST, MBWORLD.ORG

“I had my battery replaced last week. My car only has 152 miles on it. I sincerely hope that the new battery does not fail. I’ve also got some creaks on the door panels. My faith in MB is way down. The fact that MB Denver has done 60 of these replacements already tells me MB has a known issue on their hands and is doing nothing. That’s a real shame in my book.”

— WIEN0305, MBWORLD.ORG

“I received my pre-ordered 2021 E 450 Cabriole on December 28, 2020. After one week, the car without warning wouldn’t start and had to be towed into Ft. Lauderdale. Since then the car has been in the shop. We have been waiting for the delivery of a battery and no one seems to be able to locate a battery. This 48v battery located in the trunk is unique to the 2021 model year, and apparently no spare parts are available especially critical parts needed for the operation of the vehicle. Very sad to pay $80,000 for a new car, and not be able to use the vehicle for an unknown period of time.” — P. MOORE, BENZFORUM.COM

“I just had my brand new GLS have the same 48V battery malfunction for the second time since I bought it. It doesn’t even have 10k miles on it yet. The first time I got the 48V battery malfunction light on and within 2 minutes the car would no longer accelerate. Mercedes said it was a manufacturing problem to do with the grounding of the 48V battery in the engine…that there was ‘paint’ in the way and it wasn’t ground properly. They had my car for 5 days, sanded our the pain and reattached it all then said it was fine. Less than 3 months and a few thousand miles later I had the exact same problem. Warning light comes on and then multiple other warning lights after…This time I knew to pull over right away before the engine failed. I had to have it towed in both times. The car is BRAND new….and frankly, feels super unsafe now that this has happened twice.” — TINK, MBWORLD.ORG

How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?

A class-action lawsuit could give Mercedes owners a chance to recover rental and repair costs, as well as compensation for being unable to use their vehicles. It can also force automaker to extend warranties and find a permanent fix for the issue. If you are experiencing problems with your 48V battery, we want to know.

Final Thoughts

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker. At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

Ford Issues Safety Recalls for 2020-2021 F-150 Pickups

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The latest safety recalls by Ford involve 2020-2021 F-150 Pickup trucks issues for incorrect payload information and inadequate windshield adhesion. Ford said that it is not aware of any accidents or injuries involving the recall issues.

Ford Issues Recalls For Incorrect Payload Information

Ford is recalling 2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles with 6.7-liter engines for incorrect payload information built at Kentucky Truck Plant from May 13, 2019, to Sept. 19, 2020.

Ford will recall 9,979 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories and 1,750 in Canada. 

Ford said, affected vehicles display overstated payload capacity values on the tire and loading information label, overstated accessory reserve capacity values on the safety certification label, and overstated weight values on the truck camper loading documentation

“If the vehicles are loaded to the payload stated on the tire and loading information label, they may exceed the gross vehicle weight rating or gross axle weight rating,” Ford said. “This may result in tire loading beyond rated capacity, suspension overload, and increased stopping distance, which could increase the risk of a crash.”

Ford claims they are not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

The company will notify affected owners the week of March 22 and dealers will replace the tire and loading information label, safety certification label, and if needed, the truck camper loading document. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S06.

Ford Issues Recalls For Inadequate Windshield Adhesion

Ford has announced safety recalls for its bestselling 2020-2021 F-150 pickup truck for an issue with windshields that were inadequately bonded to the vehicle.

The affected  2020-2021 F-150 vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards because the front windshields are not adequately bonded to the vehicle body structure, Ford said. In the case of a crash, the windshield may not adequately stay in place.

The recall affects a specific number of F-150 tracks: 79,017 of them in the U.S., 6,986 in Canada, and 1,347 in Mexico., including:

  • 2021 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck Plant from Oct. 27, 2020, to Feb. 3, 2021
  • 2020-21 Ford Super Duty vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant from Oct. 13, 2020, to Jan. 23, 2021

Ford confirmed that there is no report of any accidents or injuries involving this windshield issue.

If you own affected F-150 vehicles, notifications will begin on April 6. Dealers will remove the affected part and replace it with the new one. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21C06.

Final Thoughts

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

Jeep Cherokee 2.4L Tigershark Oil Consumption Causes Engine To Stall

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Jeep Cherokee is one of the most popular SUVs with leading levels of capability and customization. It’s packed with V6 power, a trio of four-wheel-drive systems, towing capacity of up to 2,041 kg (4,500 lb), and runs smoothly in all weather conditions, in both on- and off-road settings.

However, many owners have reported trouble with their Jeep Cherokees. Jeep owners say the 2.4L Tigershark engine consumes a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. This heavy oil consumption makes its engine inefficient, irritating, and expensive and can be dangerous if the oil indicator system doesn’t even alert you when oil levels are low.

The engine has an oil capacity of 5.5 quarts. If your oil level is 3.5 quarts or below, the engine will stall without the oil indicator light kicking on.

Some owners reported that the light only turns on once the engine has stalled. Some owners have reported unwelcomed grinding, clunking, or scraping sounds from the rear of their vehicles, and some owners have reported trouble with the motorized tailgates on their Jeep Cherokees.

The 2.4L Tigershark engine consumes a quart of oil every 1000 miles.
Defective control rings allow oil to enter the combustion chamber.
The automaker has been sued after maintaining their stance that all the consumption levels are “normal,”

Design Defect Burns Off Oil
Jeep Cherokee may have design defects that burn off oil. Control rings at the top of the piston sidewall prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber but a defect in the Tigershark engine means the piston rings don’t work correctly with the cylinders. This allows oil to enter and burn off in the compression cycle.

Engine oil loss, excess heat, and friction will damage internal components. It causes the engine to stall and eventually seize up and fail.

Stellantis’ new normal?
Stellantis (formerly Fiat-Chrysler) has been accused of knowing about the problem since 2015 but misreporting that consumption levels are “normal” to avoid a recall.

If you are burning oil the rate of a quart every 1,000 miles irreversible damage to the engine will occur if you follow the owner’s manual. According to the owner’s manual, the oil should be changed “at 4,000 miles (6,500 km)” for normal conditions and even under “severe Operating Conditions” it can be around 3,500 miles since the last reset.

Which are the affected Models?

The 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir II can be found in the following Stellantis models.

Chrysler 200 Gen 2 (2015-2016)
Dodge Dart Gen 1 (2013-2016)
Jeep Cherokee Gen 5 (2014-2020)
Compass Gen 2 (2017-2020)
Renegade Gen 1 (2015-2020)

The Oil Consumption Lawsuit

A class-action lawsuit was filed against FCA in August of 2020.

The plaintiffs say that by continuing to call the consumption levels “normal,” FCA has avoided driver safety and the tremendous cost of recall and repair of affected vehicles. Instead, they’ve left owners to pick up the tab.

On September 30, 2021, the parties filed a stipulated order to stay the proceedings pending settlement discussions. The stay was to be through November 1, 2021, however, the docket does not have any entries after the Sept 30 stipulated order.

Final Thoughts
If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

Hyundai, Kia Recall – Potential Fire Risk

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There may be the potential for a class action lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia due to a suspected defect that can cause the vehicles to spontaneously catch fire even when not running. Almost 500,000 cars and SUVs are being recalled to fix for the issue.

Attorneys working on the case believe that legal action may be necessary to provide drivers with the compensation they deserve.

What Hyundai and Kia Models Are Catching Fire?
The February 2022 recall over a potential fire risk affects the following models:

2014-2016 Kia Sportage SUVs
2016-2018 K900 sedans
2016-2018 Santa Fe SUVs
2017-2018 Santa Fe Sports
2019 Santa Fe XLs
2014-2015 Tucson SUVs

Due to “foreign contaminants,” the anti-lock brake computer control module can short circuit and possibly start a fire in the engine compartment. Hyundai is recalling around 357,830 vehicles while Kia is recalling 126,747 vehicles. Automakers will inspect and replace defective parts with new ones. Dealers will also replace a fuse that controls the electric current to the anti-lock braking control unit free of cost. The new fuse will control the amount of power going into the module.

In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kia confirmed about three vehicles that have caught fire and asked owners to park vehicles away from any buildings or structures.

Beyond the Recall: How a Class Action Lawsuit Could Help Drivers
Hyundai and Kia both agreed to provide free fuse replacement to fix the issue but this may not be enough for those forced to deal with the inconvenience of waiting for a fix and owning a car that’s a potential fire risk. This is where a class action lawsuit could come in.

The automaker may offer reimbursement for repairs, lifetime warranties, inconvenience payments, payments for loss of value, money for loss of vehicle by fire, and free diagnostic inspections but every case is different. It’s possible that those affected by the most recent recall could be owed money for additional damages, such as rental car costs and loss of vehicle value.

How Do I Check To See If My Hyundai or Kia Has a Recall?
To check if your Hyundai or Kia vehicle is affected by this or any other recall, visit the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and enter your vehicle’s VIN number. This number can be found on your registration, insurance card, or on the lower left of your car’s windshield.

Why Are Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Catching Fire?
As previously stated, the problem stems from the vehicles’ anti-lock brake system (ABS), which could malfunction and cause an electrical short. As of February 8, 2022, at least 11 fires have been reported in connection with the ABS issue.

Automakers urged drivers to park vehicles “outside and away from structures” and instructed them to look out for smoke from the engine, a burning smell, or an ABS warning light.

Final Thoughts
If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

Tesla Owners Complain About ‘Phantom Braking’: Unexpected Automatic Braking

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Federal safety regulators are mulling a probe after Tesla drivers complained about phantom braking. Owners say that their vehicles were stopping for no reason. Phantom braking has been a persistent issue for Tesla cars.

“If the data show that a risk may exist, NHTSA will act immediately,” the spokesperson said.

Tesla owners have filed 107 complaints in the last 3 months compared with only 34 in the preceding 22 months. In October, the automaker issued an update to its automatic braking software, but complaints have increased rapidly since then. Federal safety regulators will do a thorough investigation before demanding recall of the vehicles to fix the issue.

Earlier this week, the automaker was forced to recall all 53,822 vehicles equipped with the “full self-driving” feature. Last year, NHTSA also forced Tesla to remove video games on the dashboard computer screen while driving. Now the agency is investigating numerous instances of Tesla’s in self-driving mode hitting emergency vehicles parked at the site of traffic accidents.

“Although automated driving and driver assistance systems have the potential to enhance safety, they must be implemented with strong safeguards that will ensure our cars follow the rules of the road and drivers are fully engaged,” said the statement from the two Democratic senators. “We commend NHTSA for its ongoing work to investigate the situation and urge it to continue taking all appropriate action to protect all users of the road.”

Last year, Tesla announced that it would stop equipping Tesla Model Y and model 3 vehicles with radar sensors and will use cameras that perceive their surroundings. Tesla’s new approach is known as “Tesla Vision.”

Tesla vehicles are equipped with 8 surround view cameras to show 360 degree view around the vehicle at up to 250m range. It also has 12 ultrasonic sensors to detect objects around the vehicle. According to drivers and safety experts, the vehicles began acting erratically after the above changes.

Some drivers said that their vehicles seemed overly sensitive to trucks in the opposite lane. One owner described how his car nearly stopped seemingly in response to a large truck from 50mph.

“[It] was scary to almost stop in the middle of my lane,” the owner wrote.

“Phantom braking is what happens when the developers do not set the decision threshold properly for deciding when something is there versus a false alarm,” said Phil Koopman, a Carnegie Mellon University professor who focuses on autonomous vehicle safety. “

“With only one sensor type, it’s harder to be sure because you do not have the cross-check from a different type of sensor,” he said.

Tesla had disbanded its public relations department in 2020 and did not respond to a request for clarification.

Owners of the 2022 Tesla Model 3 complained 20 times about phantom braking where the car suddenly slows or stops with no external cause, out of 22 total complaints.

“These events are hair-raising for me and passengers, let alone for a driver behind me,” one owner wrote in a report to the agency. “If he/she does not pay attention at that very moment, the result could even be disastrous. I would never have expected such a serious safety issue with a Tesla.”

“My wife has requested that I don’t use cruise control or autopilot while she’s in the car, as we experienced an unwarranted, aggressive automatic braking episode which caused great pressure against her pregnant belly on a previous road trip,” one owner said in a report.

“[These] things are happening with NOTHING present in front of my vehicle, and sometimes with nothing around me at all,” one wrote.

Final Thoughts

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker. At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert

Hyundai Reportedly Halts 3rd Gen Hydrogen Fuel Cell EV Development

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Korean automaker Hyundai is rumored to be pausing the development of their Genesis hydrogen fuel cell vehicle indefinitely. A few days ago, The Korea Economic Daily also reported that Hyundai may shut down its R&D center for combustion engines.

There is no report that Hyundai is permanently going to cancel their fuel cell Genesis but paused for the time being. The decision comes as a surprise since the company presented Hydrogen Vision 2040 just a few months ago. As per the rumors, a recent internal audit revealed that the South Korean brand is unable to meet the original target in terms of production cost reductions. 

It also seems like Hyundai and sister company Kia have decided all-in on battery electric power for all future productions. Hyundai is one of just three automakers with current FCEV passenger cars, with its Ioniq and Nexo joining the (recently discontinued) Honda Clarity and Toyota’s Mirai. Apparently, the Genesis hydrogen car had been in development for over a year and was supposed to come to fruition in 2025.

The production version of September’s Vision FK concept served as a window into the Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen future. Kia Stinger, judging by its appearance, the sports car was recognized as having more than 500kW powertrain, 600km of range run in less than four seconds.

According to insiders, the lack of marketability of FCEVs was the biggest problem for Hyundai than either technical issues or fuel infrastructure. The number of employees in the fuel-cell R&D division at Namyang has been “greatly reduced”, with Hyundai moving engineers across to EV work.

Electric Vehicle Is The Future

As we are going through a new industrial revolution, the automobile industry is completely shifting to electronic vehicles. We may not see hydrogen in new consumer electric vehicles. Battery cars have many advantages and BEVs are also getting better more quickly than hydrogen cars are. Hydrogen requires more technical and infrastructure resources than battery cars and has few benefits over BEVs even in the best theoretical scenarios.

Final Thoughts

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker. 

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert.

GM Transmission Lawsuit Partly Dismissed: The Saga Continues

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A GM transmission lawsuit has hit a snag after a judge dismissed certain implied warranty claims made in the filing. Five separate class-action lawsuits filed against General Motors were consolidated in a Michigan court, with vehicle owners alleging the Hydra-Matic 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions are defective.

According to the GM transmission lawsuit, the following vehicles have transmissions that slip, shift into gear aggressively and also cause the vehicle to shudder or jerk.

  • 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
  • 2017-2019 Chevrolet Colorado
  • 2015-2019 Chevrolet Corvette
  • 2016-2019 Chevrolet Camaro
  • 2015-2019 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
  • 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS
  • 2016-2019 Cadillac ATS-V
  • 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS
  • 2016-2019 Cadillac CT6
  • 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS-V
  • 2015-2019 GMC Sierra
  • 2015-2019 GMC Yukon
  • 2015-2019 GMC Yukon XL
  • 2015-2019 GMC Yukon Denali XL
  • 2017-2019 GMC Canyon

In 2014, GM began using 8-speed 8L90 and 8L45 automatic transmissions in certain vehicles which cause slip gears, shift into gear aggressively and also cause the vehicle to shudder or jerk. Plaintiffs also reported that the transmission will lead to delayed acceleration and make it more difficult for the vehicle to slow down.

As per the lawsuit, the plaintiff claimed the problem cannot be fixed only with transmission replacement, and driving the unrepaired vehicles causes safety hazards. 

“Drivers attempting to accelerate or decelerate their cars feel a hesitation, followed by a significant shake, shudder, jerk, clunk, or ‘hard shift’ when the vehicle’s automatic transmission changes gears.”

The lawsuit also references technical service bulletin issues by general motors based on transmission complaints made by drivers but GM dealerships allegedly tell owners the vehicles are operating properly.

Motion to Dismiss the GM Transmission Lawsuit

GM has argued that all the claims should be thrown out, including express warranty claims as warranty only covers defects that relate to materials and workmanship, and not design defects. The automaker says that all 8L45E and 8L90E transmissions have problems related to design defects, something not covered by the warranty.

Though the judge has said most of the lawsuit allegations can move forward, there are two items that were dismissed:

  • A claim for class-wide money damages under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act
  • Implied warranty claims of all plaintiffs under the laws of Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin

The judge disagreed with the automaker and said customers expect a safe and reliable vehicle and didn’t dismiss other allegations.

Also, the judge did not dismiss claims that GM knew there were issues with the eight-speed transmission before it put affected vehicles on sale.

“At this early pleading stage, based on all of the facts noted above, plaintiff-favorable plausible inferences may be drawn that GM had substantial knowledge about the looming problems with its new transmissions before any of the plaintiffs’ purchases were made.” – Judge Lawson

The bottom line on the GM transmission lawsuit

We will keep you updated on this lawsuit, final resolution may take some time. However, it doesn’t look like it’s going to end well for GM as the judge specifically stated “plausible inferences may be drawn that GM had substantial knowledge.” 

Final Thoughts

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker. 

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced California Consumer Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle that did not perform as intended and we can do the same for you. Our experienced attorneys can be reached by calling (833) Lemon-Firm.