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Nissan Defective CVT Transmission Class Action Lawsuit Reached $277.7M Settlement

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A Nissan defective CVT transmission lawsuit settlement has been reached between the automaker and vehicle owners, and the automaker will pay $277.7 million to resolve the defective transmissions claims.

The Nissan class action settlement includes the following vehicle models:

  •     2014 to 2018 Nissan Rogue
  •     2015 to 2018 Nissan Pathfinder
  •     2015 to 2018 Infiniti QX60

The Nissan CVT class action lawsuit was consolidated from five lawsuits: Stringer v. Nissan, Newton v. Nissan, Landa v. Nissan, Lane v. Nissan, and Eliason v. Nissan.

According to the Nissan class action lawsuit, vehicles were equipped with defective transmissions and CVTs used in Nissan Rogues and other vehicles allegedly caused poor transmission performance, shuddering and shaking, and even complete transmission failure.

The plaintiffs who sued claim Nissan knew about the CVT problem for years due to numerous complaints to the company and to the National Highway Transportation Safety Authority (NHTSA). Instead of taking action, Nissan allegedly failed to warn customers or fix the problem.

Nissan owners claim transmission repairs can cost thousands of dollars, and owners and lessees were allegedly forced to pay “exorbitant” costs to repair the CVTs even when the vehicles are covered by warranties.

As part of the settlement agreement, Nissan denies all claims related to the transmissions and denies all allegations of wrongdoing, but has agreed to pay $277.7 million to resolve the claims.

Nissan CVT Lawsuit Settlement

Although Nissan and the plaintiffs agreed to settle the class action lawsuit, a federal judge must still sign off on the terms. However, the proposed CVT lawsuit settlement includes the following.

Nissan CVT Warranty Extension

All settlement Class Members are eligible for a new vehicle limited warranty extension for the transmission assembly (including the valve body and torque converter) and transmission control unit under the Nissan transmission class action settlement deal.

This benefit extends the warranty on Class vehicles by 24 months or 24,000 miles — whichever comes first. For Nissan vehicles, the new vehicle limited warranty covers 84 months or 84,000 miles and for Infinity vehicles, the new vehicle limited warranty covers 96 months or 96,000 miles.

Nissan CVT Reimbursement

Nissan will provide cash reimbursement for owners or lessees who have had to pay for transmission assembly or control unit repairs out of pocket after their warranty expires.  If the replacement or repair was performed by a Nissan dealer, the full amount paid will be reimbursed. If the repair or replacement was performed by a non-Nissan dealer, Nissan will reimburse up to $5,000.

However, in both cases, the CVT replacement or repair must have occurred on or within the mileage and time limits of the Nissan warranty extension.

Nissan Vouchers

The Nissan CVT lawsuit settlement also may provide a $1,000 voucher toward the purchase or lease of a new vehicle but the voucher must be used within nine months of the effective date of the CVT lawsuit settlement.

According to the settlement, a customer must choose to receive the voucher or reimbursement, but not both, and must provide any requested documentation to prove they paid for Nissan CVT repairs or replacements.

How Much More Time?

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Feb. 22, 2022. Although the settlement deal was awarded preliminary approval on Oct. 13, 2021, the final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for March 21, 2022.

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.

Mercedes-Benz Recall: Everything About Emissions Class Action Settlement

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If you are an owner or former owner or lessee of certain Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter BlueTEC vehicles, you may qualify to claim thousands of dollars thanks to the Mercedes emissions class-action lawsuit alleging emissions cheating on diesel-powered vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and vans. In a proposed settlement with federal and California regulators, announced Sept. 14, the automaker would recall around 250,000 diesel vehicles from 2009 to 2016 model years.

As per the agreement, the automaker will also extend the warranty of certain affected parts, reform its internal audit procedures, and fund projects to reduce pollution elsewhere.

According to the EPA, affected models are:

  • Sprinter: 2010-16 Sprinter six-cylinder, 2014-16 Sprinter four-cylinder
  • E-Class: 2011-13 E350 Bluetec, 2014-16 E250 Bluetec
  • GL-Class: 2009 GL320 Bluetec, 2010-16 GL350 Bluetec
  • GLK-Class: 2013-15 GLK250 Bluetec
  • M/GLE Class: 2009 ML320 Bluetec, 2010-14 ML350 Bluetec, 2015 ML250 Bluetec, 2016 GLE300d
  • R-Class: 2009 R320 Bluetec, 2010-12 R350 Bluetec
  • S-Class: 2012-13 S350 Bluetec

Plaintiffs in the Mercedes emissions class action had alleged certain Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicles were equipped with emission control systems that emit more nitrogen oxides than consumers expect and more than what is permitted under state and federal law.

What Did Class Action Lawsuit Say?

A consent decree filed by the EPA and California Air Resources Board claims that the automaker sold some 250,000 diesel vehicles with undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices, or AECDs, and so-called “defeat devices.” Those devices caused excess emissions of nitrogen oxide, an ozone-causing pollutant linked to respiratory and cardiac problems.

In its response, Daimler denied the allegations and admitted no liability.

“The settlement resolves the company’s pending civil proceedings with the U.S. authorities without reaching any determinations as to whether functionalities in Daimler’s vehicles are defeat devices,” the automaker said.

How Was This Uncovered?

Federal and California regulators found the alleged defeat devices while testing vehicles in Michigan and California under stepped-up testing after the Volkswagen emissions scandal. Volkswagen’s scandal also involved the use of defeat devices allowing hundreds of thousands of diesel-powered cars to emit excess nitrogen oxide damaging the ozone layer and the environment.

What Does the Repair Involve?

The automaker will do a software update and replacement of vehicle-specific hardware such as new nitrogen oxide sensors and catalysts, also extend the warranty of affected software and hardware, with tests performed annually for 5 years to ensure affected vehicles continue to meet emissions standards down the road.

Specific repairs vary, and in some cases aren’t even finalized. There are 12 subgroups within the affected vehicles population, according to the EPA, with specific repairs for each group. As of this writing, the agency says it approved repairs for five of the 12 groups, encompassing the 2013-15 GLK250 Bluetec, 2015 ML250 Bluetec, 2016 GLE300d, and six-cylinder 2010-16 Sprinter. Repairs for other groups are set for approval from now through 2021.

Will the Repair Cost Anything?

As per the settlement agreement, repairs will be free of costs. The automaker will recall and repair vehicles at no cost to owners, the Justice Department said.

Can I Seek Compensation Otherwise?

Potentially, but not yet. The separate consumer class-action suit between Daimler and the plaintiffs’ group for diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner models from the same years reached an agreement offering up to $3,290.

If you previously owned or leased an affected vehicle, you could claim up to $822.50, though exact payouts will depend on how many people owned the vehicle and who makes a successful claim.

Again, the settlement does not assume guilt on Daimler’s part. The automaker “denies the material factual allegations and legal claims asserted by the plaintiffs and settlement class members.”

Affect On Performance or Fuel Economy

For the five approved repair groups, there shouldn’t be any negative effects on drivability, mileage, reliability, or performance, the EPA said. Daimler “must perform fuel economy tests and provide consumers with an emissions modification disclosure that contains a clear and accurate description regarding all impacts of the emissions modification on the vehicle, including any impacts on fuel economy,” the EPA said.

When Will Automaker Start Repair?

Two courts have to approve the specifics first. No date was given but Daimler expects things to move forward sometime late this year. The automaker said it would roll out the emissions modifications in various phases, with each customer receiving a mailed notice “as soon as the emission modification can be undertaken for their vehicle.” It also said it would publish a website with additional information starting late this year.

As per the consent decree, Daimler must fix at least 85% of affected passenger vehicles two years from the effective date.  The automaker has three years from those dates to fix 85% of affected Sprinter vans. If the automaker doesn’t hit the specified percentages by the deadlines, it faces fines of $6.4 million for each percentage point short on cars and $9.1 million for each point short on vans. California, meanwhile, will assess separate fines on repair shortfalls for affected vehicles registered there.

How Much Will This Settlement Cost Daimler?

The automaker will pay between $2 billion and $3 billion. The settlement alone will total nearly $1.5 billion, with $945.3 million in penalties and $546 million to recall cars and perform federal pollution-mitigation projects, including $110 million in specific funding for pollution mitigation in California.

Further, the automaker says it expects the class-action settlement to cost approximately $700 million, including attorney’s fees.

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.

Toyota RAV4 Transmission Problems – Will the 2021 & 2022 RAV4 Improve?

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2019 RAV4 Problems

As of December 2021, there were 35 reports of transmission problems reported by RAV4 drivers. One consumer reported that he bought a 2019 RAV4, with 17,500 miles on it, and frequently faced problems with the gears shifting properly. This RAV4 owner took his RAV4 to a Toyota dealership and received a software update to correct the issue. More often than not, these types of software updates are more of a band aid than a fix, as vehicles do not improve over time.

Another driver reported that his RAV4 kept lurching forward at lower speeds, creating an uncertain and potentially hazardous commute on the on ramp to the busy 10 freeway. Shaking and shuttering were common among complaints as well. He was told that the dealership could not duplicate the issue and his vehicle was operating as designed.

According to reports, there were six recall issues for the 2019 RAV4 for problems such as leaking engine coolant, separating suspension arms, backup camera issues, and more. Surprsingly, there weren’t any recalls for transmission problems.

2020 RAV4 Transmission Problems

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 transmission problems were well documented. The universal hope was that the 2020 RAV4 would be an improved model, but we are already seeing too many reports and dissatisfaction. Drivers are facing many issues with the 2020 RAV4; below are some problems:

  • Stumbling Transmission.
  • Lagging Transmission.
  • Leaking Transmission.
  • The fuel gauge doesn’t always work and shows that the fuel tank is empty.
  • The brakes sometimes fail without warning.
  • Alignment/Steering issues

2020 Toyota RAV4 Recalls

The 2020 RAV4 transmission problems haven’t led to any recalls yet. However, here are the 2020 Toyota RAV4 recalls as of April 2021:

  • Some 2020 RAV4s have had engine issues, leak coolant, and it has prompted Toyota to put out a recall that offers some RAV4 owners a whole new engine and engine block free of charge.
  • The front lower suspension arms on some 2020 RAV4s might have cracked in them, and Toyota has agreed to replace these arms free of charge to make them safe again.
  • There are a select few 2020 RAV4s with electric power steering problems that have prompted Toyota to replace the power steering gearboxes in these RAV4s.
  • The fuel pumps in some 2020 RAVs have started to fail and cause engine problems, which has forced Toyota to replace the fuel pump assemblies in them.
  • The steering columns in some 2020 RAV4s may have an impact on the airbags in them, which is why Toyota is offering to replace the steering columns in them.

Has Toyota Fixed The Rav4 Problems?

According to multiple sources, the Toyota RAV4 transmission can be fixed with a software update that was released on April 15th of 2019. However, some owners reported that the transmission problems still occurred after receiving updates from the Toyota dealership and drivers have to take their RAV4 to a dealership to receive the update.

Some consumers have also reported problems with the fuel system.

Final Thoughts

Toyota is renowned worldwide as one of the more reliable car manufacturers, that being said no automaker is exempt from defects off the assembly line and design flaws. When some new models are released the ambition of the manufacturer can exceed the ability and know-how of the service technicians. If your vehicle is in disrepair for over 30 days at the dealership, you have a cause of action against the manufacturer under the California Song Beverly act.

Serious car 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 that did not perform as intended and we can do the same for you.

Contact us for a free consultation today if you have experienced problems like those experienced by the Jeep class action above or any other types of design or manufacturing defects with your vehicle.  Our experienced attorneys can be reached by calling (833) Lemon-Firm.

Jeep Lawsuit: Jeep wrangler Corrosion Warranty a ‘Sham’

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A class action lawsuit was filed alleging Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator corrosion warranties are a “sham.” The lawsuit includes 2018-2021 Jeep Wranglers and 2020-2021 Gladiators. Jeep issued technical service bulletins over aluminum corrosion and bubbling paint, and knew about problems but didn’t fix them, says the lawsuit.

The affected Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles allegedly suffer corrosion problems which cause the paint to bubble, flake, peel, rust, and/or blister.

The class action lawsuit was filed by a Louisiana plaintiff who purchased a new 2018 Jeep Wrangler, a Maine plaintiff who purchased a new 2020 Jeep Gladiator, and Florida plaintiffs who purchased a new 2019 Jeep Wrangler when they lived in New York.

The plaintiffs assert, they overpaid because the premature corrosion is not covered in the warranty. The suit also says that the plaintiffs then had to spend a lot of money to get the panels repaired and repainted.

According to the Jeep lawsuit, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) began using aluminum in the body panels and chassis to improve fuel efficiency by reducing Jeep weight.

“in its brochures, Jeep boasted that the 2018 Wrangler was ‘Lighter in weight,’ noting that ‘high-strength, lightweight aluminum is used throughout the doors, hood, windshield frame, swing gate, and fenders to help Wrangler shed over 200 lb. It’s strong, durable and aids efficiency.’”  — Jeep Wrangler corrosion warranty lawsuit

Aluminum Jeep Wrangler body panels began in 2018

Automaker Jeep began using aluminum body panels and other stampings to reduce jeep weight. The lawsuit says Chrysler issued TSB 31-001-18 in March 2018 and entitled “Aluminum Body Panel Corrosion Repair” for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler. The bulletin concerned “inspecting and if necessary, removing corrosion and refinishing the suspect aluminum hood, door, or liftgate panel.”

The class action lawsuit also says the 2018 TSB further directed dealers to apply pre-treatment wipes to the repair areas prior to refinishing the aluminum panels.

The suit alleges that the bulletin advised using an anti-corrosion pen on problem areas. But only if the panel did not qualify for replacement.

FCA issued TSB 31-001-19 in July 2019 which expanded the Wranglers beyond those sold in North America to include those sold in the regions of Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe.

And on October 27, 2020, FCA then issued TSB 31-002-20 which included the 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler and the 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator.

Why Jeep Wrangler warranty is a “sham?”

According to the class action lawsuit, the Jeep corrosion warranty also provided for extended warranty coverage of a period of 60 months for corrosion to “an outer-body sheet metal panel,” which FCA defined as “one that is finish-painted and that someone can see when walking around the vehicle.”

“This warranty covers the cost of all parts and labor needed to repair or replace any sheet metal panels that get holes from rust or other corrosion. If a hole occurs because of something other than corrosion, this warranty does not apply. Cosmetic or surface corrosion — resulting, for example, from stone chips or scratches in the paint — is not covered.” — Jeep corrosion warranty

 According to Jeep Lawsuit, the corrosion warranty is a sham because it is “widely known throughout the automotive industry that aluminum body panels don’t perforate from corrosion, and thus, FCA knew that customers who had purchased the Class Vehicles could never take advantage of the CW to the extent perforation of the panel was a requirement to obtain coverage.”

The plaintiffs allege this means the extended warranty coverage for “an outer-body sheet metal panel” was misleading and deceptive.

The plaintiffs also claim the TSB repairs don’t fix the corrosion problems and do anything for the diminution of value that occurs from repainting the Jeeps. According to the lawsuit, repainted newer Jeeps are worth less than Jeeps with the original paint.

The Jeep corrosion warranty lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan: Orozco, et al., vs. FCA US LLC.

Are Other Owners Experiencing This Same Jeep Wrangler JL Corrosion Issue?

When carefully reviewing online Jeep Wrangler Forums and Facebook Group discussions, it’s found that there are many owners who are facing the same issues.

Final Thoughts

If you are an automobile owner and having manufacturing issues, you can contact us for a class-action lawsuit. Serious car 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 that did not perform as intended and we can do the same for you.

Contact us for a free consultation today if you have experienced problems like those experienced by the Jeep class action above or any other types of design or manufacturing defects with your vehicle.  Our experienced attorneys can be reached by calling (833) Lemon-Firm. 

Mazda Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Faulty Fuel Pump

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121,000 Mazda vehicles being recalled over faulty fuel pumps from automotive supplier Denso.

Mazda is the latest manufacturer to recall vehicles as over 121,000 Mazda SUVs and cars are being recalled due to the risk of fuel pump failure. This problem could cause the engine to stall randomly.

A class-action lawsuit was filed against Mazda which alleges the recall is “woefully inadequate” for customers.

The Mazda models at risk include:

  •     2019 CX-3 SUVs
  •     2018 – 2019 Mazda CX-5 and CX-9 SUVs
  •     2018 – 2019 MX-5 Mazda Miata coupes
  •     2018 Mazda3 and Mazda6 hatchbacks and sedans
  •     2019 – 2020 Mazda2 hatchbacks

The cause of this issue is related to the impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pumps. This part draws fuel from the gas tank and sends it to the high-pressure fuel pump. The impeller may crack or lose its shape, causing the fuel pump to fail.

According to information Mazda submitted to the NHTSA, 121,038 vehicles are recalled in the U.S. to replace the DENSO fuel pumps.

Mazda stated that only 1% of vehicles may have problems and only 4 vehicles had reported fuel pump problems as of September 2021.

Mazda also informed NHTSA, no crashes or injuries have been caused by the fuel pumps but a failed fuel pump can cause random engine stalls, increasing the risk of crashes and accidents.

Mazda Fuel Pump Recall

Fuel pump manufacturer DENSO recalled 2 million fuel pumps in 2020. The fuel pumps were used in many big auto brands including Mazda. Now DENSO is recalling another 1.5 million pumps.

The inspection confirmed the fuel pump failed because a deformed impeller interfered with the body of the fuel pump. Mazda found an impeller could crack as the solvent dried during manufacturing, causing the impeller to absorb too much fuel.

Texas plaintiff Townsend Vance owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5 which “during at least six different usages experienced hesitated and interrupted acceleration and near engine stall out.”

California plaintiff Zachary Haines owns a 2018 Mazda 3 Touring that on “numerous occasions have experienced hesitated acceleration and difficulty with starting the vehicle.”

Neither plaintiff alleges a dealer diagnosed, repaired, or replaced the fuel pump, but both plaintiffs claim the fuel pumps have caused the value of the vehicles to be “significantly diminished.”

Two Mazda owners who filed the class action lawsuit stated that the automaker should include other 2013-2020 Mazda vehicles equipped with DENSO fuel pumps with part number suffix 13350. The class action lawsuit alleges “at least hundreds of thousands of Mazda’s customers in the United States are driving vehicles that pose a serious safety risk.”

Mazda dealers haven’t begun replacing the fuel pumps as NHTSA says recall notices will be mailed in January 2022. But the class action lawsuit is already alleging the recall “failed to adequately repair the Fuel Pump Defect, and often caused additional damage to the fuel pump module and the Vehicle.”

The fuel pump lawsuit also alleges the Mazda recall is “woefully inadequate” because it:

  •     Failed to include all the Mazda vehicles equipped with defective fuel pumps
  •     Filed to offer a timely or effective repair
  •     Failed to warn consumers about the serious safety hazards and recommend     customers stop driving their vehicles until they are repaired
  •     Failed to offer free loaner vehicles until recall repairs are completed

What to do if your Mazda is at risk

If your Mazda SUV or car is at risk, the Mazda will notify you. Mazda currently plans to start notifying owners by January 11, 2022. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Mazda at 800-222-5500.

You can also learn if your Mazda CX-5, Miata, hatchback, or a sedan is at risk sooner by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site. Enter your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) online.

You can also call the NHTSA at 888-327-4236. The NHTSA number for this recall is 21V875, and the Mazda number for this recall is 5321k.

The Mazda fuel pump class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: Vance, et al., v. Mazda Motor of America, Inc., et al.

Hyundai Battery Problems Lead To Class Action Lawsuit

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The Hyundai Kona Electric was a promising electronic vehicle with high demand but it might not be the case anymore. The battery problems in Hyundai Kona EV and Hyundai Ioniq EV models have caused a class-action lawsuit that alleges the automaker falsely advertised the range and safety of the electric vehicles.

15 Cases of fire have been reported so far, including 2 in Canada. After this, Hyundai has recalled over 76,000 units globally, 4,375 of which are in Canada. The plaintiff alleges the lithium-ion batteries and management systems are defective which causes the batteries to catch fire.

In 2019, California plaintiff Sebastien Friche purchased a new 2019 Hyundai Kona EV and when he learned about a battery recall, his wife took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership. After repair, the dealer reduced the battery range by 20% to decrease the risk of a battery fire. June 2021, Hyundai issued a remote software download to decrease the battery range to 205 miles, another 10% drop in range capacity.

On July 20, 2021, the plaintiff’s wife took the Kona EV to the dealer to fix a tire, but the dealer asked her to impound the vehicle for a battery issue. The service advisor allegedly said the vehicle could possibly be held six months or longer because of the fire risk.

“The service representative made various representations to Plaintiff’s wife while seizing the vehicle, including asserting that ‘if anything happens, your insurance will not cover anything.’ Hyundai also refused to provide her with a loaner automobile, though it finally helped her procure a rental.” — Hyundai battery class action lawsuit

“Since Hyundai seized the Vehicle, Plaintiff has continued to contact Hyundai to determine when it will be released. Hyundai has not told Plaintiff when it plans to replace the battery, how it plans to replace the battery, or when it will ever release the Vehicle. Hyundai has told Plaintiff that even after it replaces the battery, the battery will be covered by a different warranty with a term that lasts only ten years.” — Hyundai battery lawsuit

The plaintiff claims Hyundai now refuses to talk to him.

The Korean automaker finally agreed to replace the high-voltage battery on all affected units 2018-2020 model years, and this decision will cost over $1 billion. But according to Reuters and several media outlets, Many owners are complaining that there are delays and a lack of transparency in the process. 

The automaker has also stopped production of the Kona Electric for the local market of South Korea permanently. The Kona Electric continues to ship overseas but some minor interior and exterior revisions which are planned for 2022.

The Hyundai battery problem class-action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: Sebastien Friche, v. Hyundai Motor Co., et al.

If you or a loved one, a friend or co-worker drive a Hyundai Ioniq or Kona and are experiencing any of these issues, please call (833) LEMON-FIRM for a free consultation or fill out this link https://thelemonfirm.com/contact/ and a case analyst will contact you within 24 hours.

GM Lawsuits & Recalls: Multiple Manufacturing Defects

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GM or General Motors has quite a history of lawsuits and recalling a lot of vehicles. GM had a very public recall back in 2014. A faulty ignition switch led to the deaths of 124 people when it would shut off on accident. GM admitted that the faulty switch led the car to disable all available safety features, which included airbags.

Reuters reported that since 2014, General Motors has recalled over 2.6 million vehicles related to this case and paid $900 million to settle one case and more than $2.6 billion in penalties and settlements. Many vehicle owners claimed that buying vehicles from GM hurt financially in many ways. Right now GM is facing lifter failure lawsuits, Attorneys are investigating the issue.

GM Lifter Investigation & Lawsuit

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating 2014-2020 vehicles for defective lifters. Attorneys are specifically looking into the 2014-2020 models of the following vehicles: GMC Sierra; Chevy Tahoe; GMC Yukon; GMC Yukon XL; Cadillac Escalade; and Chevy Suburban.

Many drivers claimed that their vehicles have a ticking or knocking noise, power loss, stalling, stuttering, and engine misfire incidents. Attorneys are checking if it’s a manufacturing defect and whether a class action lawsuit could help affected drivers recover repair and replacement costs.

A number of GM drivers have taken to the internet to post their complaints of bad, failing, or collapsed lifters.

Engine was misfiring last week, so I brought it to the dealer. They confirmed that I had a collapsed lifter, and that it had to be replaced under warranty. When going over the repairs with the service writer, they informed me that they only replaced the failed lifter. Out of curiosity, I asked him what such a repair would cost outside of the powertrain warranty.  He told me it would cost anywhere between $3500-4000 if it happened again, and that all of the lifters would need to be replaced should I be paying out of pocket.& He added that I would be ‘silly not to replace them all’ … because of the likelihood that another fouled or damaged lifter could fail shortly after the first.”

— HUNTHEARIN, 2016 GMC SIERRA DRIVER, GM-TRUCKS.COM

2015 Escalade 94K miles catastrophic engine failure due to AFM components. This is our second Escalade in our fleet to suffer this same failure. We have had two Denalis suffer the same fate as well. This newest failure solidifies my belief that Active Fuel Management is the Achilles heel of modern GM V8’s. Now, we have 150K warranty, so this is covered. But, we still lose a ton of money while the vehicle is down for the typical 3 weeks it takes for a dealership to complete this repair. Not happy right now.”

— FLEET_MANAGER, 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE DRIVER, CADILLACFORUMS.COM

I was a bit blindsided by a 2017 suburban suddenly developing a severe engine stutter diagnosed as lifter failure after an oil change at the dealership. Car has 90,000 miles on it has been running fine without any problems whatsoever until we bring it to the dealership for a warranty brake repair and while there we have a simple oil change. Shortly after the oil change my wife who drives the car notices asleep taking which progresses to a more severe stutter and the engine light starts coming on while we’re driving. Of course we go back to the dealer…$7000 to replace the entire engine??? It’s a 2017 car… 90k just outa warranty…”

— MEDICARNP, 2017 CHEVY SUBURBAN DRIVERS, REDDIT.COM

My 2015 GMC Yukon xl is now malfunctioning again…about 4 days ago, I became aware of ticking noise while my car has been idle. I immediately scheduled a maintenance appointment. Today, I am also informed that my ‘lifters’ are bad on the vehicle and my engine is going bad.”

— 2015 GMC YUKON XL DRIVER, CARPROBLEMZOO.COM

About 2 weeks ago I purchased a 2020 Sierra 1500 AT4 and just recently upon coming up to 600 miles on the dash I quickly noticed loud ticking noise coming from the engine area. Brought it in for service. next day I received a call in the morning stating that multiple lifters Have collapsed. Was told they will swap them out on the entire side and was told they’ll get it taken care of. picked up my truck after hours and the noise was the same. Maybe even possibly worse.”

— JPOLAND1228, 2020 GMC SIERRA DRIVER, GM-TRUCKS.COM

700,000 Chevy Silverado Recalls For Variety Of Problems

GM also has announced recalls of 700,000 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra Truck for multiple defects, including one that will have truck owners waiting for months for the replacement parts to come in. That recall involves 410,019 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks from the 2015-2016 model years.

Affected trucks could have their roof-rail airbag inflator end cap detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture. It would stop the airbags from working properly and in some instances could send shrapnel into the passenger cabin, according to a document filed with the National Highway Traffic Administration.

The second recall involves 331,274 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6-liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. All are from the 2017-2019 model years.

It found that an electrical short circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cord or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater. The automaker says that the dealer will disable the block heater and will provide replacement block heaters and cords free of charge in what is called a separate customer satisfaction campaign.

If you or a loved one, a friend or co-worker drive a GM vehicle and are experiencing any of these issues, please call (833) LEMON-FIRM for a free consultation or fill out a contact request with us and a case analyst will contact you within 24 hours,

Fiat Chrysler Nears Plea Deal In U.S. Emissions Fraud Probe

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It has been reported that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is nearing an agreement to plead guilty to criminal conduct for evading emission requirements surrounding Ram pickup trucks and Jeep sport-utility vehicles with diesel engines. Reuters reports that a source estimates the penalty may run between $250 million and $300 million dollars.

The report states that FCA employees installed or conspired to install illegal software in certain diesel-equipped vehicles and deceive government emission testing, allowing them to pollute beyond legal parameters without detection. In many cases, this could allow the vehicle to perform better, without being constrained as much as competitors in the same class.

Some time ago, The NHTSA also opened an investigation into nearly 605,000 heavy-duty Ram trucks all of which use 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engines. Complaints revolve around loss of motive power, with most incidents occurring above 25 mph and resulting in the “permanent disablement of the vehicle.” Vehicles under suspicion include all Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 HD pickups from 2019-2020 Model Year.

Back In the emissions fraud case, the fraudulent upgrades were detected in Jeep and Ram trucks equipped with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engines. Earlier reports indicate that 100,000 EcoDiesel models — namely the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 — allegedly evaded emissions requirements.

Right now, representatives of both FCA and the Justice Department declined to comment, however, 3 FCA employees have been arrested in this case and will stand trial in 2022. Furthermore, FCA already agrees to pay approximately $800 million to settle civil litigation on top of legal fees, smaller settlements, and potential sales losses as the emissions scandal wore on.

A plea agreement would cap a series of investigations dating back to 2015 surrounding diesel-powered vehicles in FCA’s U.S. lineup. This investigation is only targeting the U.S unit of the Italian-American automaker vehicles spanning model years 2014 to 2016.

Due to these emission cheating scandals; people’s interest is shifting to electric vehicles. The European automakers had promoted “clean diesel” technology but this incident uncovered that diesel vehicles polluted far more in real-world driving. Now, automakers are accelerating electric vehicle development to comply with tougher, post-Dieselgate pollution standards.

TRIAL SET FOR 2022
The FCA discussions are heating up as one of its employees prepares to face trial next year conspired to install illegal software about pollution from the vehicles and continued the deception even after officials caught Volkswagen cheating on government emissions tests. In April, the Justice Department unveiled charges against two additional FCA employees in the alleged emissions fraud. Italian authorities arrested one of the two additional employees in September.

FCA has previously resolved related civil allegations while denying cheating on emissions tests. Other legal troubles have also dogged the automaker. In March, the company pleaded guilty to violating U.S. labor law, admitting it conspired to make illegal payments to union officials.

In the emissions probe, the criminal case against FCA is expected to track closely with one against Volkswagen that the Justice Department unveiled in 2017, the people said. Volkswagen admitted to cheating on government emissions tests with diesel-powered vehicles, in the process misleading the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and customers. The German automaker pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States, commit wire fraud and violate the Clean Air Act.

Volkswagen agreed to pay $2.8 billion to resolve that criminal case and billions of dollars more to settle Justice Department civil allegations and lawsuits from vehicle owners and state officials. FCA, spoke with senior Justice Department officials in recent months to push back against a demand that the company pleads guilty, the people familiar with the matter said.

Justice Department officials rejected FCA’s request for the more lenient treatment.

In talks with U.S. prosecutors, FCA has emphasized the automaker’s January 2019 agreement to pay roughly $800 million to settle civil litigation brought by the Justice Department, state officials, and consumers alleging the company’s vehicles evaded emissions requirements, one of the people said.

Separately, FCA this year resolved legal claims from customers who opted out of the earlier settlement with consumers, according to court records.

If you, a loved one or friend owns a Diesel Dodge Ram call 833-Lemon-firm or click >a href=”http://thelemonfirm.com/contact/”>http://thelemonfirm.com/contact/ for a free consult with a case analyst today!

NHTSA Investigating Over 600,000 Ram Diesel Trucks Due To Stalling Engine

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NHTSA Investigating Over 600,000 Ram Diesel Trucks Due To Stalling Engine

More than 600,000 heavy-duty pickups built by Ram models 2019 & 2020 are the target of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation due to a faulty fuel pump. Only trucks powered by the 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine are affected. Complaints say that the trucks could stall and become immobile while traveling at speeds over 25 mph and resulting in the “permanent disablement of the vehicle.”

  • NHTSA has started an investigation on Ram trucks with diesel engines, following up on reports of a problem with the high-pressure fuel pump. The problem could cause stalling and loss of power while traveling at speeds above 25 mph.
  • The reported defect could affect 604,651 2019–2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks with the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel engine, NHTSA said.
  • NHTSA has received 22 complaints about the issue and two field reports. The agency has not yet issued a recall.

The agency launched its probe last Thursday on October 14th and will focus on how widespread the presumed defect is, what exactly caused it, and any potential safety hazards relating to the issue. Some headway has already been made, however.

Diesel vehicles under investigation include all Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 HD pickups from the 2019-2020 Model years. NHTSA could issue a recall as a result of the investigation. According to NHTSA and a report by the Detroit News, Stellantis (then Fiat Chrysler) was aware of the defect already and put out a warranty bulletin in November 2019 about the problem asking dealers to  “collect, monitor, and correct quality issues” with the trucks’ high-pressure fuel pumps.

NHTSA said that the high-pressure fuel pump is to blame; stalling occurs when the part fails. And the issue mostly happens above 25 mph and that the engine can’t be started again after it turns off. Stellantis said that they will be cooperating with the NHTSA fully, launching an investigation of its own for good measure. So we should have the next update soon, including the name of the supplier. In the meantime, you might want to keep a closer eye on how your HD Ram is running if it falls under the purview of the investigation.

Conclusion

At the Lemon Firm, we are a team of experienced attorneys who can help you recover the right compensation if you are experiencing any of these defects in your Dodge Ram. Why don’t you Contact Us today for a free consultation?

Recall: GM Expands Chevy Bolt Recall To All Vehicles Due To Fire Risk

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General Motors is recalling even more Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles including the model years 2017-2022 due to possible battery cell defects that could increase the risk of fire. 

The automaker said it was recalling Bolts from the 2020 through 2022 model years and a few 2019 Bolts that were not covered under a previous recall. In the new announcement all 141,000 Bolts that G.M. has produced — going back to the 2017 model — are under recall.

The recall expansion is going to cost the automaker an additional $1 billion, bringing the total to $1.8 billion to replace potentially defective battery modules in the vehicles.

GM also said it will notify customers when replacement parts are ready.

  • In the meantime, GM is asking affected Bolt EV owners to set their vehicles to a 90% state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level (for 2019 model year) mode.
  • GM also is asking owners to avoid depleting their battery below approximately 70 miles of remaining range and, as it advised last week, continue to not park their vehicles inside or charge them unattended overnight “out of an abundance of caution.”

“In rare circumstances, the batteries supplied to GM for these vehicles may have two manufacturing defects — a torn anode tab and folded separator — present in the same battery cell, which increases the risk of fire,” the automaker said in a news release. 

The new recall affects an additional 59,392 model year 2019-2022 vehicles which weren’t included in the last recall announcement in November 2020 and July 2021.  NHTSA is aware of the issue and opened an investigation (PE 20-016) in October 2020, and continues to evaluate the recall remedies and reported incidents, including fires.

What’s Next?

If you are an automobile owner and having manufacturing issues, you can contact us for a class-action lawsuit. Serious car 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 that did not perform as intended and we can do the same for you. Contact us for a free consultation today if you have experienced problems like those experienced by the Volkswagen class action above or any other types of design or manufacturing defects with your vehicle.  

Our experienced attorneys can be reached by calling (833) Lemon-Firm.  The first consultation is free and we can take your case on a contingency fee, meaning that you will not pay a cent unless our experienced attorneys recover money for you.  Call us today!