Laguna Hills, CA – December 10, 2018 – Automobili Lamborghini (Lamborghini) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Gallardo Coupe and Gallardo Spyder vehicles due to the potential that warnings may not be working properly after a faulty reflash procedure has failed. The potential number of units affected is 1,152.
The Defect
According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may erase trouble codes after the ignition is turned off, not illuminating warning lamps and preventing drivers from being warned of safety system problems the next time that they are driving. If the warning lamps do not indicate a safety system failure such as an engine or fuel injection system malfunction, continuing to drive the vehicle with a faulty system and no warning can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Timeline of Events
In late 2017, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. received multiple field complaints stating that affected vehicles were failing to pass the smog test. This increase in field complaints (including cases where warning/error messages were spontaneously disappearing from fault memory) led to Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. launching an investigation in early 2018 to determine the alleged malfunction and its root cause. Results from the investigation revealed a faulty reflash procedure for this model (key off / key on cycle), with consequent risk of trouble codes not properly stored in the system memory after each key off. It was assumed based on this issue that relevant fault codes could also not be stored, and in November 2018 the matter was presented at the Product Safety Committee whereupon the decision to conduct a safety recall was made. Production for the involved model had already reached the end of its life cycle, therefore no production correction action was necessary.
The Solution
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. will notify all owners of affected vehicles and will instruct them to arrange for an appointment with an authorized Lamborghini dealer. Dealers will reflash the engine software with appropriate procedure free of charge. The rightly reflashed engine software correctly stores errors detected by the system and renders the software suitable to pass the smog test. The recall is expected to begin December 14,2018. Owners may contact Lamborghini customer service at 1-866-681-6276. Lamborghini’s number for this recall is L61XR0118. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-833.
