Used car dealer CarMax to disclose open recalls on vehicles on sale

Used car dealer CarMax to disclose open recalls on vehicles on sale

February 18, 2023 Bojan Popic

Richmond, VA – February 18, 2023 – A used-car dealer CarMax (NYSE: KMX) has agreed to disclose open recalls on cars that it sells in certain states.  The agreement follows on the heels of a multi-state investigation into allegations that the company failed to disclose that some of the cars on sale were subject to unrepaired recalls.

This is at least the second time the company settles such allegations. 

Buying a car with an open recall can put your life and that of your passengers and other motorists at risk.

The agreement

This CarMax settlement comes on the heels of an investigation that started in 2014 and was settled on December 5, 2022. That is when the company agreed to disclose open recalls in 36 states, including Alabama, Nevada, Wisconsin and Texas.

To ensure compliance, Carmax will have to implement several mechanisms when selling cars with open recalls.

First, all cars on sale will have to have a link or sticker with a QR code, which would lead to a site like MotorSafety.org that would have more specific information on the recall.

Secondly, before buying the vehicle, the customer would need to sign a waiver that would disclose that the vehicle is subject to a recall.  He or she will also be given a copy of the said recall. 

Third, CarMax cannot market their cars as “safe or repaired for ‘safety issues.'” 

As part of the agreement, the company has also agreed to pay $1 million that is going to be split between the states involved in the settlement.

Is it legal to sell cars with open recalls?

It is illegal for dealers and manufacturers to sell new cars with open recalls. However, “due to legal loopholes and loose regulations,” in some states used cars can be sold with open recalls. 

With the settlement, however, it becomes illegal for CarMax to do so in the 36 states that are subject to the agreement without proper disclosure.

What led to the investigation 

According to the investigation – that started in 2014 –  CarMax did not disclose that “repairs that were necessary on vehicles with open safety recalls, and it represented that those vehicles were safe despite open recalls for airbags, brakes, fuel pumps, and other critical parts and safety features. “

It is not clear how exactly the non-disclosure was accomplished but,  in a related settlement that was achieved by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)  in 2016, the used-car dealership claimed that all the cars were subject to a rigorous, 12-hour, 125-point inspection. However, some of these cars were subject to open recalls which CarMax did not adequately disclose. 

Does your vehicle have an open recall?

In some states it may be legal to sell used cars with open recalls.  One way to check if your car is one of them is to plug in your VIN into MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can use the same tool to check for open settlements. For tips on how to find your VIN and other ways to discover if your car is in need of a repair, please see this article.

Bojan PopicUsed car dealer CarMax to disclose open recalls on vehicles on sale
Porsche recalls Panamera luxury sports cars over risk of fire 

Porsche recalls Panamera luxury sports cars over risk of fire 

February 12, 2023 Bojan Popic

Atlanta, GA – February 12, 2023 – Porsche (OTCMKTS:POAHY) is recalling 24,467 sports cars because their coolant pumps may short-circuit and even catch fire. Besides potential property damage, this also increases the risk of a crash and injury.

The lengthy list of affected models includes the following: 

  • 2017 – 2021 Porsche Panamera
  • 2017 – 2021 Porsche Panamera 4
  • 2017 – 2021 Porsche Panamera 4 Executive
  • 2018 – 2020 Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo
  • 2017 – 2021 Porsche Panamera 4S
  • 2017 – 2021 Porsche Panamera 4S Executive
  • 2018 – 2020 Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo
  • 2019 – 2021 Porsche Panamera GTS
  • 2019 – 2021 Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Turismo
  • 2017 – 2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo
  • 2017 – 2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive
  • 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S
  • 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive
  • 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo

Recall summary  

All vehicles utilize coolant liquid –also known as antifreeze – whose role is to help regulate the temperature of the engine. The coolant circulates through a radiator, which is a “heat exchanger” located inside the dashboard.

The flow within this system is achieved with an electric coolant pump. 

In the affected vehicles, moisture may get into the pumps, causing them to short-circuit and potentially catch fire. The issue seems to be caused by a supplier error.

Recall risks

All risks posed by a vehicle that catches fire while driving or parked are well-documented in this recent Hyundai recall. 

Warning signs

The car’s climate control will stop working if the external coolant pump fails.

Other Porsche recalls

Just a few months ago, in September 2022, Porsche recalled almost 200,000 cars over misaligned headlights. 

In July 2022, over 12,000 Porsche Taycan sedans were recalled over malfunctioning rearview cameras, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the pumps in question with upgraded ones, which are sealed correctly. They will also check the wiring and connector and repair it if needed. This repair is free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will be notified on March 27, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Porsche coolant pump recall is affecting almost 25,000 cars. To do a Porsche recall check or a Porsche Panamera recall check,  use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicPorsche recalls Panamera luxury sports cars over risk of fire 
Kia recalls Telluride SUVs whose airbags may not deploy

Kia recalls Telluride SUVs whose airbags may not deploy

February 11, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Irvine, CA – February 11, 2023 – Kia (OTCMKTS:KIMTF), has issued a recall for 31,943 2023 Telluride midsize SUV due to a problem with the second-row side airbags, which could prevent them from deploying in the event of a crash. This exacerbates the risk of injury to the cars’ occupants.

Recall summary

On the affected vehicles, the wiring harness fitted to the side airbags for the second-row seats may be too short due to a supplier error. This could lead to the harness coming in contact with the seat frame and getting damaged when the middle seats are adjusted or folded.   

The part involved in this recall is the second-row seat cushion wire harness assembly, with multiple part numbers including 89551-S9510, 89551-S9610 and 89651-S9710. 

Recall risks

Damage to the wiring harness may prevent the second-row side airbags from deploying when the vehicle is involved in a collision, upping the risk of injury to occupants. 

Warning signs

Drivers may notice the illumination of the airbag warning light if the issue exists.

Other Kia recalls

There was a Kia Telluride recall in August 2022 due to an overheating tow hitch that brings an augmented risk of fire. The recall also included Hyundai Palisade vehicles, as reported.

In November 2022, Kia recalled 71,704 2008–2009 Sportage SUVs over a problem with the anti-lock brakes which could cause the affected vehicles to also catch fire.

The following month, Kia issued a recall for 76,918 2023 Sportage vehicles on account of side curtain airbags that were not installed properly during assembly, preventing them from deploying in a crash and leading to an increased risk of injury.        

The repair

Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the damaged second-row wiring harnesses with the correct ones. Harnesses with no damage will be secured to prevent them from coming into contact with the seat frame. Kia will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall was issued.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by February 28, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 31,000 vehicles are affected by this Kia airbag recall. To see if your vehicle is among them or to check for more recalls, run a Kia recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloKia recalls Telluride SUVs whose airbags may not deploy
Volkswagen recalls Beetles due to exploding Takata airbags

Volkswagen recalls Beetles due to exploding Takata airbags

February 5, 2023 Bojan Popic

Auburn Hills, MI – February 5, 2023 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) is recalling 37,558 cars over an ongoing Takata airbag issue. The issue has resulted in close to 30 deaths and at least 400 injuries due to the propensity of these airbags to explode when deployed in a crash.

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

  • 2015 – 2016 Volkswagen Beetle
  • 2015 – 2016 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

Recall summary  

The inflator, a pyrotechnic device that sets off the driver side airbag, might break apart during deployment because it contains Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate (PSAN) – which is considered a “highly combustible and unstable chemical.” PSAN degrades after exposure to fluctuating temperatures and humidity, among other factors.

The resulting explosion can send sharp metal fragments flying through the cabin, increasing the risk of an injury. 

Recall risks

With more than 42 million cars being recalled over Takata airbag issues so far, all risks have already been well documented and thoroughly described. 

Background of the recall

These airbags were made by Takata, a now-defunct Japanese manufacturer which is best-known for being the culprit behind the largest recall in the automotive history. The recall is part of 187 recalls that have come out of an ongoing investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into airbag explosions.

About a year ago, Volkswagen paid out a $42 million settlement to current and former owners of Audi and Volkswagen cars with Takata airbags for lost wages, childcare and other related expenses that came on the back of Takata recalls. However, the cars that are part of this recall were not included in the settlement.

Other Volkswagen recalls

Coincidently, one of the latest Volkswagen Beetle recalls, which dates back to January 2021, was caused by the same Takata airbag issue.  

More recently, in November of last year, Volkswagen recalled nearly a quarter of a million vehicles over a faulty tire pressure monitoring system. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag with an upgraded one, which is not susceptible to moisture-driven degradation. The repair is free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will be notified on February 17, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This Volkswagen airbag recall affects almost 40,000 Beetles. To do a Volkswagen recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicVolkswagen recalls Beetles due to exploding Takata airbags
Ford issues second round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over rearview camera issue

Ford issues second round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over rearview camera issue

February 4, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Dearborn, MI – February 4, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F), which owns the Lincoln brand, is recalling 382,759 vehicles due to a problem with the rearview camera. This increases the risk of a crash. This recall “expands and replaces” one conducted in 2021 for the same issue. 

The latest round covers the following models:

  • 2020 – 2023 Ford Explorer
  • 2020 – 2023 Lincoln Aviator
  • 2020 – 2022 Lincoln Corsair

Recall summary

On affected models equipped with the 360-degree surround camera system, the video output may fail due to a software error. 

The part involved in this recall is the rearview camera with multiple part numbers, including LB5T-19G490-D,  LC5T-19G490-D and LJ7T-19H423-A.

Recall risks

For more on risks of this recall, please see this recent article about a similar Cadillac issue.

Background of the recall

This is the second recall for this issue which follows on the back of over 2,000 warranty claims. The first one was conducted in October 2021, as reported. However, the remedy that was performed was insufficient to address the issue and the manufacturer continued to receive complaints about the camera failure. 

There have been at least 17 “minor accidents” related to the issue. No injuries have been reported.

Other Ford recalls

There was a Lincoln recall last month due to defective seat belt chimes, as reported. The recall included over 100,000 of Lincoln Navigator and Corsair SUVs.

In May 2022, there was a Ford Explorer recall due to an issue with the vehicles’ drivetrain which may cause the cars to roll away when parked, as reported.

In December, Ford super-duty pickups were recalled over the same issue.

The repair

Dealers will once again update the related software on the affected vehicles free of charge. Ford will reimburse drivers who paid for their own repairs.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by February 24, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 382,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford rearview camera recall. To see if your vehicle is among them, run a Ford recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloFord issues second round of Explorer, Lincoln recalls over rearview camera issue
Mercedes-Benz recalls cars that may stall due to water damage

Mercedes-Benz recalls cars that may stall due to water damage

January 29, 2023 Joseph Estabillo

Jacksonville, FL – January 29, 2023 – Mercedes-Benz (OTCMKTS:MBGYY) is recalling 323,963 vehicles due to an engine stall caused by water getting into the vehicle. This increases the risk of a crash.

The recall covers the following models:

  • 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML 250
  • 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450
  • 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML 400
  • 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 300D
  • 2012 – 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML350
  • 2012 – 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML550
  • 2017 – 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43
  • 2016 – 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE63
  • 2012 – 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG ML63
  • 2016 – 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350
  • 2016 – 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400
  • 2016 – 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE 550E

Recall summary

Water may find its way into the rear part of the vehicle and reach the fuel pump and interfere with its work, starving the car of fuel. There are several causes of the defect, with one of them seemingly related to a manufacturing error and the other caused by unspecified actions taken by the owner when opening and closing the hatch.

The components involved in the recall are the plug with part number A0039981450 and the fuel pump control unit with multiple part numbers including A0009003800, A0009003101 and A0009007306.

Recall risks

Lack of fuel pumping into the engine can lead to a stall, which ups the risk of a crash.

Warning signs 

Drivers may hear the sound of water sloshing around from inside the spare tire wheel well or notice dampness in the carpet in the rear area of the cabin. The check engine light could also come on on the dashboard before the issue occurs. After the water enters the car, a different, unspecified warning message should pop up on the screen.

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

In May 2022, Mercedes-Benz issued a stop-drive order and a recall for 292,287 vehicles over a brake failure risk that increases the risk of a crash. As of January 11, 2023, over 145,000 cars still needed to be repaired. Please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool to determine if yours is one of them.

In October 2022, Mercedes-Benz also recalled 19,698 vehicles over the loss of safety features caused by the 12-volt battery in the trunk being improperly secured. This could lead to an inability to call emergency services or exit the vehicle in the event of a crash.

The repair

To prevent this Mercedes-Benz engine stall, dealers will install a water drain plug in the spare tire wheel well and replace the fuel pump control unit if necessary. All repairs will be conducted free of charge and owners who paid for repairs before the recall was announced will be reimbursed.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified on or around February 21, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 300,000 vehicles are affected by this Mercedes-Benz water ingress recall. To see if your vehicle is among them or to check for Mercedes-Benz AMG recalls, run a Mercedes-Benz recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloMercedes-Benz recalls cars that may stall due to water damage
Stellantis recalls RAM trucks whose tailgates may open while driving

Stellantis recalls RAM trucks whose tailgates may open while driving

January 28, 2023 Senamile Nkosi

Auburn Hills, MI – January 28, 2022 – Stellantis (NYSE:STLA), which owns the RAM brand, is recalling 1.2 million pickup trucks over unintended tailgate opening while the vehicle is in motion. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.

The recall includes the following pickup trucks:

  • 2019 – 2022 RAM 3500
  • 2019 – 2022 RAM 2500
  • 2019 – 2022 RAM 1500

Recall summary

Parts of the tailgate may be misaligned due to a manufacturing error. This means that the tailgate may open while driving.

Recall risks

An unintended tailgate opening while the vehicle is in motion may lead to a loss of unsecured cargo, create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Other recent RAM truck recalls

November of last year saw at least three RAM recalls. First, on November 2, there was a RAM 1500 recall over fuel pump failure which could cause the vehicles to stall. The recall also included other vehicles, as reported.

On November 9, close to 30,000 RAM 4500 and 5500 trucks were recalled due to the risk of brake failure.

Finally, 250,000 trucks were recalled over fire risk on November 28.

The repair

Dealers will align the tailgates so that they close properly. Owners will receive letters with more information on January 27, 2023. All repairs will be free of charge as it is customary with all recalls.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 1.2 million vehicles are included in this RAM truck recall recall. To perform a RAM recall check or a Stellantis recall check, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiStellantis recalls RAM trucks whose tailgates may open while driving
Daimler recalls Mercedes-Benz cars with fly-away sunroofs

Daimler recalls Mercedes-Benz cars with fly-away sunroofs

January 22, 2023 Bojan Popic

Jacksonville, FL – January 22, 2023 – Daimler (NASDAQ:DDAIF), which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, is recalling 123,696 vehicles whose sunroofs may detach. This creates a road hazard and ups the risk of a crash.

The lengthy list of affected vehicles includes the following models: 

  • 2002 – 2007 Mercedes-Benz C230
  • 2001 – 2005 Mercedes-Benz C240
  • 2006 – 2007 Mercedes-Benz C280
  • 2001 – 2005 Mercedes-Benz C320
  • 2006 – 2007 Mercedes-Benz C350
  • 2003 – 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK320
  • 2006 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350
  • 2003 – 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK500
  • 2007 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550
  • 2006 – 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
  • 2005 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz E320
  • 2003 – 2006 Mercedes-Benz E500
  • 2007 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz E550
  • 2002 – 2004 Mercedes-Benz AMG C32
  • 2005 – 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG C55
  • 2003 – 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK55
  • 2007 – 2011 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS63
  • 2003 – 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55
  • 2007 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63
  • 2006 – 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350
  • 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS55

Recall summary  

All vehicles affected by this recall are equipped with a sunroof. Due to a supplier error, the sunroof’s glass panel was inadequately bonded to the metal frame beneath it. 

Because of that, the bonding adhesive could deteriorate and not hold these two components together. As a result, the glass panel may detach from the frame and fly away from the vehicle. 

The component causing this recall is the sunroof cover, with part numbers  A2117800300, A2097800200, A2197800100 or A2037800121, depending on the model. 

Recall risks

A glass panel that detaches while driving will fly off, potentially hitting nearby pedestrians or oncoming vehicles. In addition, this part might land on the road, endangering other motorists.

Warning signs 

If the adhesive starts falling apart, the owners might notice a partially detached sunroof and excessive wind noise while driving. 

Other Mercedes-Benz recalls

This is not the first time Mercedes-Benz has had issues with fly-away components. Back in September 2022, they recalled more than 100,000 SUVs and sedans because their trim bars could detach while driving.

In addition, one of the recent Mercedes-Benz C-Class recalls over a fire risk took place in October 2022. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect the sunroof and replace it if the bondage between the glass panel and the metal frame is inadequate. The repair is free of charge. 

Vehicle owners will be notified on February 21, 2023. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 100,000 cars are affected by this Mercedes detached sunroof panel recall. To do a Mercedes-Benz recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicDaimler recalls Mercedes-Benz cars with fly-away sunroofs
Ford recalls Lincoln Navigator and Corsair SUVs over defective seat belt chimes

Ford recalls Lincoln Navigator and Corsair SUVs over defective seat belt chimes

January 21, 2023 Joseph Estabillo ,

Dearborn, MI – January 21, 2023 – Ford (NYSE:F), which owns the Lincoln brand, is recalling 101,001 vehicles over a problem with the seat belt warning system. The issue could prevent the drivers from buckling up, augmenting the risk of an injury in a crash.   

The recall covers the following SUVs:

  • 2020 – 2023 Lincoln Navigator
  • 2020 – 2022 Lincoln Corsair

Recall summary

The seat belt warning system is a safety feature that delivers an audible sound when it detects that the driver is not wearing the seat belt after the engine has been started. Due to a software error, part of the chime may be muted, causing it to play for less than four seconds. 

The part involved in this recall is the audio head unit with multiple part numbers, including PJ7T-18D890-SC, LC5T-18K810-JC and MC5T-18D890-SC.    

Recall risks

A seat belt warning chime that is partially inaudible may do an inadequate job of reminding drivers to put on their seat belts before driving the car. This could lead them to drive without it, presenting an increased risk of injury if a crash occurs.   

Other Ford recalls

In April of last year, there was a Lincoln Navigator recall due to trailer brakes, which may fail to engage when applied, as reported. The recall also included other vehicles.

In July 2022,  Ford was sued by owners of the 2021 Expedition and 2021 Lincoln Navigator SUVs who alleged that the manufacturer waited too long to recall these vehicles over risk of fire. On January 13, 2023, the lawsuit was dismissed, according to court records.

In December 2022, Ford issued a second recall for 521,778 SUVs including the 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Sport and 2020-2023 Ford Escape. This was over reports of a defect with the fuel injectors, leading to fire in the engine bay and an increased risk of injury. 

The repair

Dealers will update the audio control module software on the affected vehicles free of charge. Ford will reimburse owners who paid for their own repair before the recall was issued.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified between February 6, 2023 and February 10, 2023.  

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 100,000 vehicles are affected by this Ford seat belt chime recall. To see if your vehicle is among them, run a Ford recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can use the same tool to run a Lincoln recall check.

Joseph EstabilloFord recalls Lincoln Navigator and Corsair SUVs over defective seat belt chimes
US government investigates Stellantis over mysterious engine shutdowns

US government investigates Stellantis over mysterious engine shutdowns

January 15, 2023 Bojan Popic

Washington, D.C. – January 15, 2023 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating 2019-2020 Jeep Compass SUVs made by Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) whose engines may shut down. This increases the risk of a crash and injury. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect 228,971 vehicles. 

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on December 2, 2022 following 15 complaints of Compass engines shutting down unexpectedly. 

According to the complaints, operators saw a warning message on the dashboard stating “high coolant temperature” or “coolant temperature too high.” After the message appeared, the engine shut down. NHTSA indicates that that the temperature warning is not accurate.

Risks

For more on the risks posed by a sudden loss of power, please visit this RAM recall article.

Other Stellantis recalls

While there have been no recent Jeep Compass recalls, other models made by this manufacturer have been affected by several issues. Just recently, more than 60,000 Gladiators, Wranglers and RAM trucks were recalled over a defective fuel pump.  

You can find out all about the latest Stellantis recalls in this article. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This Jeep loss of motive power investigation may eventually lead to a recall, possibly affecting more than 200,000 vehicles. To do a Jeep recall check to see if your car is currently subject to a recall, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates Stellantis over mysterious engine shutdowns
Recall Lookup
Enter your vehicle(s) below to check the current recall status.

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories