Volkswagen recalls Audi sedans over defective passenger airbags

Auburn Hills, MI – October 21, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY), which owns the Audi brand, has issued a recall for 4,117 vehicles on account of incorrectly installed airbags on the front passenger side. The airbag may fail to deploy properly in the event of a collision, upping the risk of injury.

The recall covers the following models: 

  • 2022 Audi S3 sedan
  • 2022 Audi RS3 sedan
  • 2022 Audi A3 sedan 

Recall summary

When the vehicle experiences a frontal collision with sufficient force, the front passenger airbag is designed to inflate, preventing the passenger from hitting the windshield.  

In the affected vehicles, the airbag may not have been correctly folded before being placed into the airbag housing on the dashboard. Consequently, the airbag could tear when it deploys, preventing it from inflating properly.

Recall risks

If the airbag tears when it deploys, it may not inflate properly, augmenting the risk of injury to the passenger. 

Other Audi recalls

In April 2022, Volkswagen issued a recall for 26,053 Audi vehicles over an engine issue. The turbocharger on the affected vehicles could be clogged by contaminants and eventually break, causing the engine to lose power and increasing the risk of a crash.   

In December 2021, Audi and Volkswagen agreed to pay $42 million as a settlement to owners whose vehicles were outfitted with defective airbags from Takata. This resulted from a class action lawsuit filed in 2014 against the two automakers, and all vehicles involved were part of the massive Takata airbag recall spanning about 100 million airbags worldwide. 

Repair

Dealers will replace the front-passenger airbag module with one that contains a properly folded airbag. There will be no charge for this replacement. Affected owners will be notified on or around October 28, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 4,000 vehicles are included in this Audi airbag recall. To see if your vehicle is affected, run an Audi recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloVolkswagen recalls Audi sedans over defective passenger airbags

Stellantis recalls Dodge SUVs over headlamp issue,  crash risk

Auburn Hills, MI – October 9, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the Dodge brand, is recalling 83,453 vehicles over defective headlamps. A substandard reflector may not reflect light brightly enough, compromising visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall covers 2017 – 2018 Dodge Journey crossover SUVs.

Recall summary

The Dodge Journey’s headlamp assemblies include an amber side reflex reflector that makes the vehicle more visible to other motorists.

In the affected vehicles, the reflector does not reflect enough light.

The components involved in this recall are the front left and front right headlamp assemblies with multiple part numbers, including  05116288AC and 05116289AC. 

Recall risks

A dim reflector makes it harder for other drivers to see the vehicle and react accordingly, which can up the risk of a crash.

Other Dodge recalls 

While there have been few Dodge Journey recalls in recent years, other Dodge vehicles have been recalled.

In March 2022, for example, Stellantis issued a recall for 370,437 vehicles, including the Dodge Durango. This was over an issue with the electronic stability control’s indicator light.   

In June 2022, the Dodge Durango was again part of a recall initiated by Stellantis covering 270,904 vehicles. This was on account of a problem with the brake control system that could let the vehicle roll away.   

Repair

The manufacturer is developing a remedy for the Dodge side reflectors and will notify owners when to bring affected vehicles to authorized dealers for repairs. All repairs will be free of charge.

Affected owners will be notified on or around November 8, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 83,000 vehicles are affected by this Dodge headlamp recall. To see if your vehicle is included, run a Dodge recall check or search Chrysler recalls using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloStellantis recalls Dodge SUVs over headlamp issue,  crash risk

General Motors recalls SUVs over faulty driver’s seats

Warren, MI – October 8, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Chevrolet and GMC brands, is recalling 7,571 vehicles over a problem with the driver’s seat which may affect the  seat’s ability to restrain the occupant in the event of a crash.

The recall covers the following models: 

  • 2022 – 2023 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2022 GMC Terrain

Recall summary

In the affected models, a bolt that allows the driver to adjust the seat may be loose or “stripped” due to a supplier error. This could cause it to fall out.

The component involved in this recall is the front seat assembly cushion with part number 13525388.  

Recall risks

If the pivot bolt separates from the seat frame, it reduces the seat’s ability to secure the occupant when a crash happens,  increasing the risk of injury.

Warning signs

Seats with improperly installed bolts may squeak, rattle or feel loose.

Other General Motors recalls 

In April 2022, there was a Chevrolet recall due to defective windshield wipers, which could compromise visibility and increase the risk of an accident, as reported.

That same month, the manufacturer also issued a recall for 725,000 2010 – 2017 GMC Terrain SUVs over a problem with the headlights, which have been found to be too bright, potentially blinding oncoming motorists and increasing the risk of a crash and injury.

The repair

Dealers will inspect the driver’s seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary. All repairs will be free of charge.

 Affected owners will be notified on or around November 14, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 7,000 vehicles are affected by this Chevrolet and GMC seat recall. To see if your vehicle is included, run a Chevrolet recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. To perform GM recall checks, use the same tool.

Joseph EstabilloGeneral Motors recalls SUVs over faulty driver’s seats

Tesla recalls cars over faulty windows, injury risk

Austin, TX – October 1, 2022 – Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) is recalling 1,096,762 vehicles whose malfunctioning windows may hurt the occupants when closing.

The recall involves the following models: 

  • 2017 – 2022 Tesla Model 3
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model S
  • 2021 – 2022 Tesla Model X
  • 2020 – 2022 Tesla Model Y

Recall summary

Tesla cars use an automatic reversal system for safety on their power-activated windows. If the window encounters an obstacle while closing, it retracts.

In the affected vehicles, the automatic reversal system may not react correctly when it hits an obstacle. It may exert too much force before it stops or retract less than it should.

Recall risks

If the window continues to close when it encounters an obstacle, such as an outstretched body part,  it could cause an injury.

 Other Tesla recalls and investigations

In June 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) escalated its investigation of Teslas crashing into stopped emergency vehicles after it discovered additional crashes that were not associated with emergency scenes. The goal of the investigation is to figure out whether the measures Tesla currently uses to ensure that the driver is paying attention to the road are sufficient.

One of the most recent Tesla Model S recalls occurred in April 2022, when the automaker recalled 594,717 vehicles over a failure to warn pedestrians of the cars’ largely silent approach.

Repair

Dealers will release an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update to the affected vehicles, calibrating the automatic reversal system to safely retract when hitting an obstacle. There will be no cost to owners for this update.

Affected owners will be notified on or around November 15, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 1 million Tesla vehicles are affected by this Tesla automatic window issue. To see if your vehicle is included, run a Tesla recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloTesla recalls cars over faulty windows, injury risk

General Motors recalls vehicles with defective rearview cameras

Warren, MI – September 30, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Cadillac and GMC brands, is recalling 95,231 vehicles over faulty rearview camera systems. Malfunctioning rearview cameras can compromise the driver’s ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up, increasing the risk of a crash.

The recall comes on the back of a U.S government investigation and covers the following models:   

  • 2020 – 2021 Cadillac XT5
  • 2020 – 2021 Cadillac XT6
  • 2020 – 2021 GMC Acadia

Recall summary

The recall affects vehicles with the optional Surround Vision feature. In these vehicles,  the cable that transmits images from the rearview camera to the touchscreen monitor on the dashboard may have loose connections, so the signal from the camera may be interrupted. This could result in no image being displayed on the dashboard monitor when the driver shifts to Reverse.

The component involved in this recall is the coaxial video cable with part numbers 84966435, 84704472 and 84704495. 

Recall risks

A missing or intermittent rearview camera image will reduce the driver’s ability to see behind the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash, injury or property damage when the vehicle is backing up. There has been at least one crash associated with the defect.

Background of the recall

This recall is a result of an investigation by the U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation was opened in July on the heels of 12 complaints of black screens, “sometimes with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it.” The cars involved had low mileage readings.

Warning signs

Users may notice that the rearview camera is either not consistently displaying images or has lost the image signal altogether, leading to a black screen on the dashboard.

Other General Motors recalls 

In January 2022, General Motors issued a recall for 4,271 sedans, including the Buick Lacrosse, Buick Regal and Chevrolet Malibu. This was over a problem with the rear suspension resulting from corrosion.   

In October 2021, there was a Cadillac recall over a defective fuel pump control module. This could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of the vehicle being hit in traffic.  The recall also included 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and 2021 GMC Yukon vehicles.

Repair

Dealers will replace the coaxial cables on the affected vehicles as necessary. There will be no cost to owners for this repair.

 Affected owners will be notified on or around November 7, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 95,000 GM vehicles are affected by this GM rearview camera recall. To see if your vehicle is included, run a GM recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloGeneral Motors recalls vehicles with defective rearview cameras

Nissan recalls vehicles over power steering failure

Franklin, TN – September 24, 2022 – Nissan (OTCMKTS:NSANY) has issued a recall for 20,040 vehicles over a loss of power steering assist. The issue ups the risk of a crash.  

The recall covers the following SUVs and subcompact cars: 

  • 2021 Nissan Kicks
  • 2021 Nissan Versa

Recall summary

The power steering feature makes it easier for drivers to turn or maneuver a vehicle. A sensor measures the force the driver applies to the steering wheel during turns, then tells the control unit how much assistance to provide.

In the affected vehicles, an unreliable electrical connection in the sensor could lead to the power steering being disabled

The component involved in this recall is the upper steering column, with part number 48810-5EE0A.  

Recall risks

When power steering fails, the driver must use more effort to steer. For more information, read about a similar recall initiated by General Motors.

Other Nissan recalls

The current recall is one of two 2021 Nissan Versa recalls so far. The model was among 30,799 vehicles recalled in September 2021 over a problem with the front turn signal bulbs. The recall also included the 2021 Kicks SUVs, as reported.

In August 2022, Nissan recalled 10,477 vehicles, including the 2021 Pathfinder and 2021 and 2022 Rogue, over the rearview camera’s failure to display images when reverse gear is selected, also as reported.

Repair

Dealers will inspect the steering sensor assembly and replace it as needed. All repair work will be done free of charge. 

Affected owners will be notified on or around November 9, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 20,000 Nissan vehicles are being recalled because of this Nissan power steering issue. To see if your vehicle is affected, run a Nissan recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloNissan recalls vehicles over power steering failure

Volkswagen recalls Audi SUVs over fuel spill risk

Auburn Hills, MI – September 24, 2022 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has issued a recall for 13,004 2021-2022 Audi Q3 SUVs due to a problem with the fuel tank vent pipe. A damaged vent pipe could lead to fuel spills and make it difficult to refuel the car.

The recall comes on the back of 192 warranty claims.

Recall summary

The vent pipe serves to relieve the internal pressure in the fuel tank when it is full.

In the affected vehicles, the vent pipe may have been damaged during assembly, allowing fuel to enter it. When pressure builds within the tank, this fuel could rise toward the fuel tank opening on the outside of the vehicle.

The component involved in this recall is the fuel tank, with part number 5QF 201 021 MD.

Recall risks

When the filler cap is opened, fuel might spill out, increasing the risk of injury. Fuel getting into the vent pipe could also cause the fuel pump to click off too early during refueling, which means the tank will not be completely filled.

 Other Volkswagen Audi recalls 

Previous Audi Q3 recalls for the 2022 model year addressed issues with the rearview camera image.

In April 2022, Volkswagen recalled 26,053 Audi vehicles over potential loss of engine power, as reported.

In August 2022, Volkswagen also recalled 49,443 Audi Q7 and Q8 SUVs over malfunctioning fuel pumps that could lead to incorrect fuel pressure, rough engine operation or fuel pump failure and stalling.  

Repair

Dealers will inspect the fuel system on the affected vehicles and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank and charcoal canister free of charge. Affected owners will be notified on or around November 4, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 13,000 Audi vehicles are affected by this Audi fuel tank recall. To see if your vehicle is included, run an Audi recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloVolkswagen recalls Audi SUVs over fuel spill risk

Daimler recalls trucks over risk of creating road hazard

Portland, OR – September 7, 2022 – Daimler (OTCMKTS:DMLRY), which owns Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), has issued a recall for 4,006 trucks over a part of their hood that may fly away while the vehicle is in motion. This increases the risk of an accident for other road users.

The recall comes on the back of several complaints regarding the issue and covers the following models: 

  • 2020 – 2023 Western Star 47X
  • 2020 – 2023 Western Star 49X

Recall summary

These trucks are equipped with stainless steel hood bezels. The bezels serve both as decoration and as protection to shield the hood’s against corrosion.  

On the affected vehicles, both the inner and outer hood bezel covers may detach while the vehicle is in motion.

The components involved in this recall are the inner and outer hood bezel with multiple part numbers, including A17-21894-000,  A17-21893-000, A17-21893-001 and A17-21894-001.

Recall risks

Detached hood bezel covers may end up on the road, where they become hazards to other road users. In fact, leading up to the recall, drivers of the affected vehicles reported occurrences of these parts doing exactly that. Luckily, no injuries have been reported.

Other Daimler recalls 

In June 2022, there was another Daimler Trucks North America recall – and a a stop-drive notice – for 5,173 Navistar school buses over steering wheels that could easily detach, increasing the risk of an accident.

The same month, there was a recall involving the 2023 Daimler 47X due to the risk of engine stall. The recall also included the 2023 Daimler 49X.

In December 2021, DTNA issued a recall for 7,128 Western Star trucks due to an electrical issue inside the engine bay that could augment the risk of fire.    

Repair

Dealers will fix the hood detaching issue by replacing the cover with parts that have been assembled using an improved process. DTNA will reimburse owners who had related repairs done prior to the announcement of the recall.  

Affected owners will be notified on or around October 28, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 4,000 vehicles are included in this DTNA recall. To see if your vehicle is affected, run a Daimler recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloDaimler recalls trucks over risk of creating road hazard

Ford recalls SUVs over A/C failure, fire risk

Dearborn, MI – September 4, 2022 – Ford (NYSE:F) has issued a recall for 198,482 SUVs over a faulty motor which powers the cars’ air conditioning. Its failure may lead to a fire, increasing the risk of injury to the car occupants.

The recall covers the following models: 

  • 2015 – 2017 Ford Expedition
  • 2015 – 2017 Lincoln Navigator 

Recall summary

The air conditioning used by cars relies on a blower motor mounted behind the glove box. This motor is responsible for providing ventilation inside the cabin when the windows are closed, by blowing air through the dashboard vents.     

In the affected vehicles, the front blower motor may fail during operation due to unknown reasons.

The component involved in this recall is the blower motor and wheel assembly with part number CL14-19846-AA. 

Recall risks

The defective motor may present an increased risk of fire to the vehicle’s interior. This also increases the danger of a crash or injury.  

Warning signs

The fan may stop working. In addition to that, the driver may perceive a “burning smell” or see smoke coming from the instrument panel vents while the vehicle’s engine is running. 

Other Ford recalls and lawsuits

Ford is facing a lawsuit regarding alleged defects on the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUV models. The allegations stem from complaints that the company failed to promptly recall the vehicles involved in the lawsuit.

The 2020-2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator were also included in an earlier recall issued in April 2022 due to faulty windshield wipers, as reported.

Repair

Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly with a new and improved component. The repair will be done free of charge, and Ford will reimburse customers who paid for their own repairs prior to the recall being issued. 

Affected owners will be notified on or around September 16, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 198,000 vehicles are included in this Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator blower motor recall. To see if your vehicle is affected, run a Ford or Lincoln recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls SUVs over A/C failure, fire risk

Subaru recalls Impreza vehicles over defective headlamps

Camden, NJ – August 28, 2022 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is issuing a recall for 188,397 Impreza vehicles over a problem with the headlamps, which can potentially increase the risk of a crash.

The recall covers the following sedans and station wagons: 

  • 2017 Subaru Impreza
  • 2018 Subaru Impreza
  • 2019 Subaru Impreza

Recall summary

Vehicle headlamps use reflectors to direct the light beam generated by the bulb towards the road, allowing the driver to see ahead while traveling.

In the affected vehicles, due to issues during the manufacturing process, the lamps do not properly reflect the light, resulting in decreased visibility or glare.

The component involved in this recall is the lamp assembly head with part numbers 84001FL01A and 84001FL00A. 

Recall risks

Reduced visibility or glare created by the wrong angle of reflection creates an increased risk of a crash.

Other Subaru recalls 

In January 2022, Subaru announced a recall for 198,255 vehicles over a transmission malfunction, which could increase the risk of crash and injury. The recall includes the Ascent, as well as 2020 releases of the Legacy and Outback vehicles. 

There was a Subaru Impreza recall in May 2021 over the risk of stalling.  The recall also included Crosstrek vehicles, as reported.

Repair

Dealers will replace the left and right front headlamp assemblies with new parts free of charge. Subaru will reimburse owners who paid repairs on their own prior to the recall announcement.

Affected owners will be notified on or around October 11, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 188,000 vehicles are included in this Subaru Impreza reflectors’ recall. To run a Subaru recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.  

Joseph EstabilloSubaru recalls Impreza vehicles over defective headlamps