Software Error Leads to Maserati Recall
Maserati North America issued a recall for certain 2017 vehicles after reports of the cars shifting gears or shutting down unexpectedly.
The manufacturer notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on March 21, 2017 of an error in the 2017 Maserati Levante’s engine software. The company said the software error can unexpectedly shift the vehicle’s transmission into neutral or shut off the engine.
Daniel Doku, manager of certification and compliance for Maserati, said the problem occurs at slow speeds such as stop-and-go traffic. Specifically, the error occurs when the vehicle is operated at approximately 2 miles per hour.
“If the transmission shifts into neutral unexpectedly or if the engine shuts down without warning, it can increase the risk of a crash,” Doku said.
Maserati’s recall affects 3,299 vehicles, all of which were manufactured between July 1, 2016 and Dec. 13, 2016.
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Maserati began their investigation into the problem on Oct. 18, 2016, following a claim made in China regarding an inadvertent transmission shift to neutral in heavy traffic. The problem was discovered and replicated in the Levante model in December 2016. The company studied the anomaly through January 2017 before developing and validating a software fix by Feb. 21, 2017.
Maserati began its recall on March 31, 2017. The manufacturer will notify 2017 Maserati Levante owners and dealers will update the engine control module software free of charge. Maserati Levante owners can call the company’s customer service line at 1-201-510-2369 if they have questions. They can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
The manufacturer of your vehicle is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide the loss value of your warrantied recalled vehicle, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.