Tag Archives: stability control problem

Lemon Alert – 2018 Jeep Wrangler SUV Later Release

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The 2018 Jeep Wrangler SUV Later Release, a popular off-road vehicle, has been the subject of numerous recalls and investigations. Many of these problems substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. There have been a total of 11 recalls issued for the 2018 model year Jeep Wrangler Later Release. Some of the major issues include problems such as corrosion of the left rear frame section, incorrect transmission park rods, a cruise control system that cannot be canceled, and a voltage regulator that may fail and cause the vehicle to stall.

Although a recall hasn’t been issued since 2021, there are 5 ongoing investigations affecting the 2018 Jeep Wrangler SUV Later Release. These investigations include an examination of frame weld deficiencies, electrical over stress in the air bag ACU, seat belt buckle bracket failures, weld quality deficiencies, and the risk of desiccated air bag inflator ruptures.

The 2018 2018 Jeep Wrangler SUV Later Release has received the highest number of complaints for Jeep Wrangler built in the last fifteen years. Some of the major complaints include:

  • Service Brakes (21)
  • Vehicle Speed Control (15)
  • Fuel/Propulsion System (10)
  • Seats (10)
  • Exterior Lighting (8)
  • SEAT Belts (7)
  • Air Bags (7)
  • Lane Departure (5)
  • Steering (995)
  • Suspension (303)
  • Electrical System (120)
  • Power Train (91)
  • Structure (78)
  • Wheels (54)
  • Electronic Stability Control (46)
  • Engine (42)
  • Visibility/Wiper (33)

These recalls, investigations and complaints are a cause for concern. It is important to note that safety issues and repeated problems could mean your Jeep Wrangler is a Lemon. The California lemon law provides a solution for California consumers who have repeated problems with their vehicles. It applies to all new and many used vehicles, whether purchased or leased, for personal and most small business use.

Call us today at 888-EX-LEMON or 888-395-3666 for a free consultation, or complete the short form at the top of this page.

Volvo Vehicles Could Experience Loss Of ABS And ESC

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Certain 2023 Volvo automobiles could experience a diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) that could cause a loss of the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.

The vehicles affected include:

2023 Volvo C40
2023 Volvo S60
2023 Volvo V60
2023 Volvo V60CC
2023 Volvo V90CC
2023 Volvo XC40
2023 Volvo XC60
2023 Volvo XC90

Volvo first became aware of this condition in October 2022 when they received the first report of issues with the brake pedal in a 2023 Volvo vehicle. As reports increased, an investigation was opened to find a possible common root cause. In December the investigation was escalated to the Critical Concern Action Process (CCAP) and the Critical Concern Management Team (CCMT) initiated a technical investigation to evaluate the risk assessment and root cause. In January the technical investigation was completed and a recall was initiated.

According to the defect report, certain diagnostic tests that check the grounding of the BCM2 could put it in a faulty state that could result in a loss of brake support functions. The problem is caused by a lack of robustness in software compatibility with a specific BCM2 HW version.

The customer may experience a hard/stiff brake pedal and potential loss of brake support functions such as:

  • Brake-by-wire.
  • ABS, ESC, and traction control.
  • ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), Pilot assist and OPD (One pedal drive)
  • All active safety and city safety functions described in the user manual that involve braking.

The driver display will warn the customer with DIM messages and malfunction indication lamps if this issue occurs. This is an intermittent issue, and the faulty state will remain through the drive cycle until the vehicle enters deep sleep.

Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update to correct the problem. Volvo Car’s number for this recall is R10217 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-012.

2018 Cadillac Escalade – GM Lemon Law Buyback

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Our client was happy to buy a 2018 Cadillac Escalade.

On March 21, 2018 he took it in to the authorized Cadillac dealership because the service stabilitrak warning light would intermittently come on. The car was at the dealership for 16 days.

On December 6 he brought the Escalade back into the dealership because the service stabilitrak light was flashing and then stayed on. The service airbag light was on, too. The vehicle was in the shop for 11 days this time.

The last visit was on March 21, 2019. Our client brought the vehicle back to the dealership because the airbag light was on. The service stabilitrak message was on again. The vehicle was in the shop for 6 days this visit.

Our client called a few months later as someone had told him about the California Lemon Law. He spoke with attorney Barry L. Edzant and emailed some documents for Barry to review. He signed a retainer agreement shortly thereafter and a demand letter was sent to General Motors Corporation.

GMC decided to buy back the vehicle under the CA Lemon Law. They reimbursed our client for his down payment, all monthly payments made so far, his registration, paid off the balance of the loan minus a usage fee the manufacturer is entitled to under the law and paid the attorney fees.

If you are concerned that your vehicle may be a lemon, please call our office at 888-395-3666. We handle cases throughout the state of California.

Toyota/Lexus Deactivation Of Vehicle Stability Control And Loss of Braking

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Toyota will be contacting the owners of certain 2019-2010 Toyota and Lexus vehicles regarding a problem affecting the braking and stability control systems. The vehicles involved include:

  • 2019 Lexus ES300H
  • 2019 Lexus LC500
  • 2019 Lexus LS500
  • 2019 Lexus LS500 H
  • 2019 Lexus U250 Hybrid
  • 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
  • 2019 Toyota Prius
  • 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime
  • 2019 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid

The affected vehicles have a brake booster pump with an accumulator and a pump motor which contains a plastic brush holder to hold the motor brushes. It is possible that the plastic brush holder may have been manufactured improperly, causing one of the brushes to become stuck in the brush holder. If this happens, the brush would be unable to maintain an electrical connection inside the motor and may cause the pump motor to stop operating.

If the pump motor stops operating, multiple warning lights and messages will illuminate, and/or audible chimes will sound. Depending on brake fluid pressure in the accumulator and brake pedal stroke amount, braking assist could be lost completely and the Vehicle Stability Control system will become deactivated. A sudden and complete loss of braking assist while driving could increase the vehicle stopping distance and may increase the risk of a crash. Further, deactivating the Vehicle Stability Control system may cause the subject vehicles to not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 126, paragraph S5.1.2.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the brake booster pump inspected and replaced as necessary. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus’ numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF. The NHTSA Campaign Number is 19V544000.

2017-2018 VW Atlas & Passat Reduced Braking

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Volkswagen will be contacting the owners of certain 2018 Atlas and 2017-2018 Passat vehicles, to notify them of a problem affecting the vehicles braking system. According to the defect report, the brake caliper carrier (bracket) bolts may have been torqued incorrectly, could loosen and cause the break caliper to move on the steering knuckle (Atlas front brake) or on the axle (Passat rear brake). If this happens, drivers may notice increased stopping distances and reduced vehicle control.

Dealers will inspect the brake caliper bracket bolt for tightness, replacing and re-torque the bolts as necessary. Additionally brake caliper fasteners, bleeder valve, and brake hose bolts will be checked and torqued to the correct specification, if necessary. For Passat vehicles, dealers will also inspect the parking brake cable for proper connection. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 46H6 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-536.

2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 & GLC 300 Electronic Stability Problem

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Mercedes-Benz has determined that a small number of 2016 C300 and 2016 GLC 300 vehicles have an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) hydraulic control unit that may have been damaged during transport. Depending on the extent of the damage, specific ESP functions may be deactivated. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through a display message and warning lights on the dashboard, and may experience loss of electronic parking brake functions.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) hydraulic control units replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 16V-603.

2015 Lexus NX200 Loss Of Stability Control

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Toyota will be asking the the owners of certain 2015 Lexus NX200 SUV’s to return to their dealerships for repairs affecting the braking and stability of their vehicles. According to the defect report, the affected vehicles are equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking system (ABS), Traction Control System (TRAC), and a Vehicle Stability Control System (VCS) which are controlled by the ABS actuator. Continue reading →

2015 Nissan Murano Brake Actuator Contamination

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Nissan will be asking the owners of certain 2015 Murano vehicles to return to their dealership for repairs after receiving notification from their brake system manufacturer that there could be a problem with actuators similar to ones used on Nissan vehicles. According to the defect report, the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) actuators could have contamination in the solenoid valves. This could affect the valves’ ability to completely close or open, building up pressure in the hydraulic brakes or allowing the pressure to completely drop. This problem could result in loss of vehicle stability. Continue reading →