This Pennsylvania Lemon Law Ford recall alert comes courtesy of our good friend Jim Donovan, consumer crusader at Philadelphia’s CBS-3.

Ford is recalling almost 500,000 SUVs and minivans due to mechanic defects. First up on the list is more than 205,000 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, model years 2004 and 2005, due to faulty torque converters. The converters’ output shaft may fail, resulting in loss of power.

Next up is more than 244,000 Ford Escapes, model years 2001 and 2002, due to a possible brake fluid leak problem. The vehicles’ brake master cylinder reservoir cap could leak fluid, causing corrosion of the brakes’ electrical components. This corrosion could lead to a fire in the braking system.

Ford will begin contacting customers the week of January 23rd. Being that the cars are being recalled, the parts and labor will be free even though these cars are no longer under manufacturers warranty.

And of course, if you have a newer Ford vehicle that has been in three times under Ford warranty for a brake fluid leak or loss of power, you may want to look into your rights under Pennsylvania Lemon Law and federal warranty laws.

Chrysler will recall nearly a quarter of a million Dodge Ram pick-up trucks due to a poor tie rod assembly issue in the front steering system. The Dodge Ram recall according to Dodge representatives is the defective assembly may cause the part to fracture, and often occurs while maneuvering at low speeds, such as driving in parking lots. If the rod does fracture, drivers may notice a loss in directional stability, increasing the risk of an accident or crash.

Affected models include:

2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4×4 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through Aug. 15, 2008

2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 4×4 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through Aug. 15, 2008

2008-2011 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis 4×2 built between Feb. 14, 2008, through Aug. 15, 2008

2003-2008 Dodge Ram 2500/3500 may have received part during routine service

Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the left tie rod as needed for free. Owners can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 800-327-4236.  If your Dodge trucks continues to exhibit this problem after three or more attempts to fix this problem, contact us and we will be glad to discuss the situation and see if/how we can help.

How did the spiders get into the Mazda 6?  It’s a mystery even Peter Parker might not be able to solve.

The manufacturer has recalled 65,000 Mazda 6 models after identifying a spider infestation problem at either an auto parts supplier or the manufacturer’s Flat Rock, MI plant where they assemble Mazda 6 cars.

There are yellow sac spiders which are nesting in tiny rubber hoses linked to the car’s fuel tank system.  This could cause fuel leaks and possibly fires.

While we applaud Mazda for trying to untangle this web, we have heard from several customers that they have been without their cars for weeks due to parts being on back order.

If your Mazda has been at the shop for a considerable amount of time to address this problem, give us a call at 1-800 LEMON LAW or drop us an e-mail and we will be happy to discuss the situation with you.

A couple months ago, we were contacted by Chris Cuomo’s producers at ABC’s  Nightline regarding a story on the high pressure fuel pump problem occurring in many BMW Turbo vehicles, including the 135i, 335 i, 535 i, and x6 models.  Together with an amazing consumer advocate, Allison Mangot, who had two BMWs with high pressure fuel pump problems– both bought back by the manufacturer, we helped the producers put together a segment which would shed significant national light on a problem which has been plaguing many BMW drivers for years.  Of course, readers to the lemon law blog know that we have been promoting this issue for quite a while. In fact, Kimmel and Silverman has successfully resolved numerous claims regarding with this problem, throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Maryland and New England, with our clients receiving anywhere from significant monetary compensation in the thousands, to complete repurchases.  We were proud to not only see 1-800-LEMON-LAW Founding Partner Bob Silverman featured in the story, but also our very own blog and the many comments left behind by its readers.

The story has resulted in a major national recall, affecting hundreds of thousands of BMW vehicles.  All those affected should be receiving notification soon. But one would wonder why it has to take a national news story to force the manufacturer’s hand?  And also, we are questioning whether this recall will actually be the end-all, be-all to what could be a dangerous problem. We can’t even count the number of clients who have been left stranded on the road not just once, but sometimes three, four, or  five times.

The fact also remains that even with this recall, BMW drivers do have rights under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws.  We encourage those who have been in repeatedly for the high pressure fuel pump to consider legal actions against the manufacturer. You paid a very high premium for this vehicle and you certainly did not get what you paid for.  As you know, legal representation under the Lemon Law and Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act is completely cost-free with BMW paying all attorneys fees and legal costs on top of what you receive if you prevail. With our firm,there is no cost or risk to filing a claim, win or lose.  For more information, please e-mail us or give us a call at 1 800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or contact another consumer attorney to determine if your situation applies and if you are entitled to remedy. Additional information regarding this problem can also be found at bmwproblems.com.

We would like to hear your thoughts regarding the story which follows.  And for those who do have the recall performed, we are interested to hear if you are still having problems after.  Our sincere thanks to Lauren Pearle, Chris Cuomo and  the talented production team at ABC News, and to Allison Mangot for ensuring that we were part of this effort.

In the midst of all the Toyota trouble comes another possible recall.  The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration is looking into repeated complaints about steering in Toyota Corollas.

Over 150 complaints have been filed with NHTSA regarding the Corolla’s electric assisted steering system.  This system uses an electric motor to reduce the amount of torque the driver needs to exert on the steering wheel to turn the car.  Many drivers have said they have tried to turn their car only to have the system give out on them.

Toyota officials have said IF there is a problem, it most likely connected to the tires or brakes and they will issue a recall if necessary.

More than 300,000 Corollas were sold last year, the second largest Toyota model sold in 2009 behind the Camry.  A potential recall could affect more than a half million Corollas currently on the road.  This problem comes on the heels of the 3.8 million vehicle floor mat recall and the 2.3 million vehicle gas pedal recall.

We  are currently receiving numerous calls every day from Toyota drivers inquiring whether the lemon law applies to those affected in these numerous recalls.  Obviously, many drivers do not feel safe driving their vehicle with all the news headlines.

If you previously reported the accelerator problem prior to the recall or if the problem is existing after the recall repair is performed, you may be entitled to remedy under State Lemon Laws or Federal Warranty laws.  For more information, you can contact us at 1- 800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or visit us on-line at www.lemonlaw.com and we will be happy to discuss the situation with you.

Back in late November, we reported that Toyota was recalling 4 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals after NHTSA reported more than 2,000 instances of sudden acceleration.

This past Thursday, the manufacturer announced it is recalling an additional 600,000 vehicles.  The new recall affects 2009- 2010 Toyota RAV4 models, 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla models, 2009-2010 Toyota Matrix models,2010 Toyota Highlander models,  and 2008-2010 Toyota Sequoia models.  In addition, three models from the previous gas pedal recall, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon models, 2007-2010 Toyota Camry models, and 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra models,  are included in both recalls.

Toyota says the recall is due to potential problems with the gas pedal mechanism that can cause the accelerator to become stuck regardless of whether the vehicle contains a floor mat. The manufacturer said that in certain situations, the mechanism wears down, causing the accelerator to become harder to press, slower to return, and in some cases stuck.

Toyota said drivers in the recalled cars whose gas pedals become stuck should firmly apply their brakes, drive the car to a safe location, shut off the engine, and contact the nearest Toyota dealer.  The manufacturer advises drivers NOT to pump their brakes.

The manufacturer will be contacting consumers shortly regarding the recall, however if you have been back to a Toyota dealer in the past complaining of sudden acceleration, you may be entitled to a repurchase, replacement or partial refund under State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws.  So far, we have taken a number of  Toyota sudden acceleration cases under the Pennsylvania Lemon Law, New Jersey Lemon Law, Ohio Lemon Law, Massachusetts Lemon Law, Maryland Lemon Law and New York Lemon Law.   We are also working on a television report outlining the reason for the recall.  If you find that you are dealing with this defect, please contact us for further information about your rights.

According to Autoweek, General Motors will recall more than 22,000 Corvettes, model year 2005-2007, for a roof panel problem.

The recall covers the models with the removable roof panel. The issue was discovered once General Motors noticed problems with the adhesive that bonds the plastic roof panel to its frame. If the bond breaks, the roof panel could fly off.

If you hear a snapping noise from the roof when driving over bumps, experience water leaks from the headliner, or feel the roof panel moving while the car is in motion, your vehicle may be in danger.  If you have a bad panel, it will be completely replaced during the recall.  The recall effort will begin in January.

Earlier this month, we reported on the problem involving sudden acceleration in certain Toyota and Lexus models.  In the past, the manufacturer was blaming the issue on floor mats, but after more than 2000 instances were reported by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, there was no doubt plenty of fear in many drivers’ minds.  It is almost certain that the situation would also affect future sales of one the Country’s strongest automotive brands.

As you can expect, Kimmel and Silverman is quite aware of the situation, having already represented quite a few consumers who had complained of sudden acceleration in their Toyota and Lexus models to their dealers.  

The Associated Press is now reporting that Toyota will replace the accelerator pedals on roughly 4 million recalled vehicles.  Models affected include 2007-2010 model year Toyota Camry, 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, 2007-2009 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle, 2005-2010 Toyota Tacoma, 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, 2007-2010 Lexus ES350, and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250 and IS 350 models. 

The recall was prompted by a high-speed crash involving the death of a California Highway Patrol Officer and his family when the loaner vehicle they were driving exceeded speeds of 120 mph, struck a sports utility vehicle, rolled off an embankment and exploded in flames.  A 911 call was placed as the incident was occurring where a passenger made reference to fact that the accelerator was stuck.  This recall is the largest in the manufacturer’s history.

We are very happy to hear that Toyota is taking responsibility for this issue, but at the same time we remind consumers that if you have repeatedly complained of this problem to an authorized Toyota or Lexus dealer, you should take a look at State Lemon Laws and Federal Warranty Laws to see if you are entitled to recourse even if the car is permanently fixed.   For more information, contact us or call 1-800- LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).

As ABC News is reporting, owners of Toyota cars are rebelling over a series of more than 200 accidents caused by sudden acceleration.

Safety analysts have discovered more than 2000 instances among Toyota models such as the Camry and Prius, and various Lexus models, where cars were surging up to 100 miles per hours without warning.  The manufacturer was constantly blaming the problem on floor mats, saying the mats are getting stuck under the pedal, but drivers are rightfully skeptical.   There was a national recall regarding the floor mats, affecting many vehicles.

NHTSA , The National Highway Traffic and Safety Adminstration , has conducted six investigations on sudden surges in Toyota models since 2003 and has not found any defect in the electronics system, and yet the instances keep occurring.

If you find that you are experiencing this problem, do not ignore it.  Contact your dealer immediately and make sure you address it with your service advisor.  Even if they claim they have no solution to the problem, make sure you receive a repair invoice illustrating that you have attempted to get this addressed under your manufacturers warranty.  If you are in New Jersey and Ohio and cannot get this problem fixed after one repair attempt, contact us immediately as the Ohio Lemon Law and New Jersey Lemon Law both only give the manufacturer one attempt to fix a problem which could cause serious bodily injury or death.  If you live in any other state, please contact us via e-mail or call 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) after you have three repair invoices for this problem.  We are already handling cases on this issue and will be happy to help you in any way we can.

Yamaha Motor Corp. issued a recall of more than 120,000 Yahama Rhino ATVs today. All Rhino 450 and 660 model vehicles are being recalled for repairs intended to prevent accidents that have resulted in 46 confirmed deaths and hundreds of injuries. These Yamaha Rhinos suffer from inherent design flaws that make them unstable and susceptible to low-speed rollovers. If you have suffered injuries from a Yamaha ATV accident, please contact Michael Sacks at msacks@lemonlaw.com.  Please include your name and daytime phone number including area code.

We have a few important recalls to share courtesy of our friends at US Recall News:

Chrysler is recalling 32,865 2008-009 Dodge Ram 2500, 3500 and 3500 cab chassis pickup trucks equipped with Powers & Son Steering Linkage.  There is an issue which could result in loss of steering control and the restricted ability to turn the vehicle. Dealers will inspect and replace the affected parts starting this month. 

The company is also recalling 19,024 2005 Dodge Durango vehicles for problems stemming from a fuel tank valve which may not close at the end of refueling, resulting in fuel possible escaping from the vehicle. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. Dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly free of charge.  This recall is expected toe begin next month.

Owners may call Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 for more information.

In motorcycle news, Yamaha is recalling 9,300 2006-2009 FJR1300 motorcycles because the internal switch wiring could be disconnected, resulting in engine stalling.  Dealers will replace the ignition switch free of charge.  Recalls started last week, however if you have not been contacted, you can call Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926 for more information.

As always, we remind you that if you have an issue which is recalled and then you have to return a couple times after to fix issues caused by the recall, or if you complained about a problem prior and it was finally fixed by the recall, you still have rights under State and Federal Laws.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

We frequently receive calls at 1-800 LEMON LAW regarding defective airbags….obviously this is one defect drivers want resolved immediately.  Thus, Nissan truck drivers should be relieved to note that the manufacturer has found an airbag problem with their vehicles and plans to do something about it.

Yahoo is reporting that Nissan Motor Co. will recall more than 240,000 trucks throughout twenty cold weather states, including all of our states: Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  The manufacturer has noted that in states where road salt is used to melt the ice, a mixture of the salt, snow and water could enter into a crash zone sensor and rust, thus interrupting the signal and preventing the front air bags from deploying in a crash.  Thankfully, the situation was discovered through a large number of warranty claims, and no injuries were linked to the problem. 

Trucks affected include the Nissan Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra from 2005-2009 model years.

242,700 trucks in total will be recalled, and the recall is based on where the vehicle is registered.  Nissan said those drivers who qualify for the recall will be notified by mail and Nissan will install a redesigned sensor at no cost regardless of warranty.  Owners in other states not included in the recall will receive a 10-year warranty on the sensor.

For more information, you can contact Nissan at 800-647-7261.  Of course, if you have endured continuous problems with your airbag and it has been serviced by the manufacturer three of more times, you could be entitled to additional remedy through State and Federal Laws.  If you have any additional concerns regarding your airbags and the service you are receiving to attempt to repair them, please contact us or another consumer law firm.

This year, we have handled numerous lemon law claims with regards to the Jeep Commander (#6 on this year’s car complaint index) and the Pontiac G6.  Now comes word from consumer affairs.com that NHTSA, The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation which could lead to a recall of 136,444 Commanders and 176,968 Pontiacs.

Jeep Commander drviers have been complaining of stalling incidents with simultaneous loss of lighting systems including headlamps. NHTSA has also received 19 complaints of power steering from Pontiac G6 drivers with two incidents resulting in accidents.

If you find that you are experiencing problems with your Jeep Commander or Pontiac G6, it’s very important to keep all of your reapir invoices and keep a log when you are experiencing problems.  If you bring your car in the shop three or more times, you could be entitled to significant remedy under State or Federal Law.  Feel free to contact us or call us at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).

DETROIT (Reuters) — Ford Motor (F) is recalling more than 650,000 of its top-selling F-150 pickups as well as a Lincoln-branded truck because of a problem with the brake hose that could cause the vehicles to lose braking power. The automaker has recalled 2005 and 2006 model year Ford F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT trucks, according to the recall notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on its website Wednesday.

Ford trucks covered by the recall are equipped with 5.4-liter engines. The brake hose on those trucks can detach from an intake manifold, causing the driver to lose the “assist” function that provides additional power to the brakes, according to the safety notice.The trucks could still be stopped with remaining braking power but it would require drivers to apply “more force to the pedal,” Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said. He said Ford had received reports of 11 minor accidents but no injuries because of the brake hose defect.

The sweeping recall covers almost 606,000 vehicles in the United States and comes just as Ford is gearing up to launch all-new versions of its F-Series pickup line. U.S. sales of the Ford trucks are down 16% this year in a downturn tied to high gasoline prices and a slumping U.S. housing market. In addition to the trucks covered by the U.S. government recall, there are another 50,000 of the trucks on the road in Canada covered by a similar recall procedure, Ford said. Ford said customers in the United States and Canada affected by the recall could have brake hoses replaced at Ford dealerships starting in late June.

We are working with a Philadelphia Network affiliate on this story.  If your truck has suffered damage as a result of this problem, please contact Michael Sacks, Kimmel and Silverman’s Director of Client Services at 800-536-6652 ext. 131 or via e-mail at msacks@lemonlaw.com.

Feds Alert Ford Owners to Recalls

By KEN THOMAS – 18 hours ago WASHINGTON (AP) — The government on Thursday warned owners of about 4.6 million recalled Ford vehicles to bring their cars and trucks immediately to dealerships to disconnect cruise control switch systems that have been linked to engine fires.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the consumer advisory to owners of certain unrepaired Ford,

The recalls have vexed the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker, affecting its popular F-Series pickup trucks, prompting hundreds of complaints and dozens of lawsuits over engine fires. Three deaths have been tied to the fires and Ford has struggled to produce enough parts to fix the problem.About 9.6 million Ford vehicles have been recalled since 1999 and about 5 million have been fixed, raising concerns about the remaining vehicles on the road. NHTSA said they have received about 60 complaints of engine fires in the Ford vehicles since August 2007.Ford said they supported the action and dealers would soon offer a more permanent fix.“We absolutely want everybody to come in as soon as they can because we can eliminate the risk of fire for anyone with a vehicle in this recall,” said Ford Motor Co. spokesman Wes Sherwood. He said the company would have an “ample supply” of the replacement parts by June.NHTSA said many dealers will disconnect the cruise control switches as a “drive through” service so owners do not have to leave their vehicles at the dealership or schedule an appointment.Dealers have installed a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system as part of the recall, but replacement parts have not been widely available. Owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have the cruise control deactivated until the parts arrive.NHTSA issued a lengthy list of older vehicles covered by the consumer advisory, including 1993-2004 Ford F150 trucks, 1994-2002 F250 through F550 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines, and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, all of which were among the best-selling vehicles in the nation during those years.A complete list was available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.The Ford recalls have run into problems. Earlier this month, the automaker recalled about 225,000 vehicles that had already been repaired because some wiring harnesses appeared to be defective.Ford also faces more than 100 lawsuits nationwide because of fires linked to the cruise control deactivation switch. Many owners have alleged the fires began after the vehicles were turned off and there have been three deaths attributed to that problem in Iowa, Georgia and Arkansas.

Last week, Ford was able to consolidate 77 lawsuits filed in Texas so a single judge can handle pretrial discovery.Ford has said its internal investigations have found the fires did not cause deaths and injuries.“In the cases where there was that allegation, we found that the source of the fire was unrelated to the vehicle,” said Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley.

Important Safety Recall Notice

Triumph Motorcycles has issued an important safety recall notice (N.H.T.S.A No. 07V-455) to all owners of the Rocket III Classic and Rocket III Classic Tourer models. Triumph has found a defect within the Engine Management Software that may result in the engine stalling when coming to a stop or when idle. It is possible to lose control of the motorcycle while coming to a stop, which is a serious safety concern.

Triumph has issued recall notices to all registered owners of the motorcycles urging consumers to contact their local dealership to receive an upgrade to the engine management software at no cost to them. The repair takes only 30 minutes.

Consumers are urged to first contact their dealer to discuss the recall and to contact Triumph customer service if they have additional questions or concerns. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration is monitoring the situation and complaints concerning any Triumph dealership’s handling of the situation can be made by calling the NHTSA or by going to http://www.safercar.gov.

For more information on Motorcycle Problems, Complaints and Safety Issues, please see our Motorcycle Lemon Law site.

From Associated Press
Ford Recalling 3.6 Million Vehicles
By Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer
 
Ford Recalling 3.6 Million Vehicles to Deal With Concerns About Faulty Cruise Control Switch

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ford Motor Co. said Friday it is recalling 3.6 million passenger cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans to address concerns about a cruise control switch that has led to previous recalls based on reports of fires.

Ford said the recall covered more than a dozen vehicle models built from 1992-2007. The company said it was responding to concerns from owners about the safety of their cars and questions about the speed control deactivation switch in the vehicles that is powered at all times.

The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker previously had recalled nearly 6 million vehicles beginning in January 2005 because of engine fires linked to the cruise control systems in trucks, SUVs and vans.

“Customers remain concerned about the long-term durability of the speed control system and about the safety of their vehicles,” said Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis.

He said the automaker had received “a few reports of fires” in Ford Crown Victoria passenger cars prior to the recall. He did not have a precise number.

The recall involves the following vehicles: 1998-2002 Ford Ranger, 1992-1997 Lincoln Town Car, 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, 1999-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer.

Also covered are the 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 1992-1993 E150-350 vans, 1997-2002 E150-350 vans, 1993 Ford F-Series pickups, 1993 Ford Bronco, 1994 Mercury Capri, 2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning, and 1995-2002 Ford F53 motor homes.

An additional 177,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and Europe are covered by the recall.

Jarvis said there have been no deaths, injuries or accidents associated with the recall.

It was Ford’s sixth recall, involving a total of more than 10.4 million vehicles, conducted since 1999 because of problems with the speed control system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The nation’s largest single recall involved 7.9 million Ford vehicles in 1996 to replace an ignition switch.

Texas Instruments Inc. supplied the speed control switch in all of the vehicles covered under Friday’s announcement, Ford said. A TI spokeswoman could not immediately comment.

Owners will begin receiving recall notices on Aug. 13. Jarvis said the parts for passenger cars would not be available until early October. In the meantime, owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have their cruise control deactivated until the parts arrive. The parts are available for trucks, Jarvis said.

Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system or replace the deactivation switch if its found to be leaking.

Owners with questions about the recall can contact Ford at (888) 222-2751.

Ford Motor Co.: http://www.ford.com/

Ford will recall thousands of its Five Hundred and Montego sedans and Freestar minivans after a problem with side door latches. The recall of about 140,000 2005 Five Hundred/Montego sedans and 2005-2006 Freestar minivans is being performed because the latches in the vehicles may let in water, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said. The water could freeze and prevent the door from closing properly. In other news, Ford will also recall 6164 Escape Hybrids for a potential problem with drivetrain shafts, which could break and allow the vehicle to move even when shifted into Park.