Car recalls: Why they happen and what buyers should know
Why do car recalls happen? Here’s what you should know if your car has an open recall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week issued multiple recalls for more than 2.1 million vehicles, including more than 1.8 million Toyota RAV4 SUVs, to fix a battery problem that poses a fire risk.
Would you like to know if your vehicle has been subject to recalls? If the car is not listed below, owners can check USA TODAY’s auto recall database or search NHTSA’s database for new recalls. You can check for recalls using your vehicle identification number, or VIN, on the NHTSA website.
Here are the vehicle recalls published by NHTSA from October 29th to November 4th.
What else is being recalled? View USA TODAY’s searchable recall database. Cars, food, consumer goods and more
Toyota recall: RAV4 SUV due to battery problems
Toyota is recalling 1,853,568 of its 2013 to 2018 RAV4 SUVs because certain 12-volt replacement batteries may not fit properly into the battery compartment, allowing the battery to move and contact the retaining clip, potentially causing a short circuit. If enough heat is generated by a short circuit, components inside and around the battery can suffer thermal damage, increasing the risk of fire, the automaker said in a report filed with NHTSA.
Dealers will replace the battery terminal subassembly, battery compartment and positive terminal cover free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent on December 17th. Owners can contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota’s numbers for this recall are 23TB13 and 23TA13.
Recalled vehicles:
Ford Mustang Recall: Brake Fluid Sensor Problem
Ford is recalling nearly 187,922 of its 2020 through 2023 Mustang vehicles because the brake fluid level sensor may not activate the visual low fluid warning indicator. Reducing brake fluid below the recommended level in the master cylinder brake fluid reservoir could increase the risk of a crash, the company said in a report filed with NHTSA.
Dealers will update the body control module software for free. Interim letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be sent on December 4th. Second letters will be sent as soon as the remedy is available. Owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 23C35.
Recalled vehicles:
Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer recalled due to third-row seatbelt issues
Chrysler is recalling 97,066 of its 2022-2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs because the third-row seat belts may not allow occupants to properly access or fasten the seat belt at the buckle. Failure to wear a seat belt can increase the risk of injury to occupants in certain types of crashes, the company said in a report to NHTSA.
The dealer will inspect and replace the third row seat belt buckle, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent on December 15th. Owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The Chrysler number for this recall is A7A.
Recalled vehicles:
- 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
- 2022-2024 Jeep Wagoneer
Mazda recalls display software update
Mazda is recalling 11,903 of its 2024 CX-90 SUVs and Mazda3 compact cars because a software error may prevent rearview, front and/or side camera images from appearing on the display. A camera that doesn’t display an image can obscure the driver’s vision and increase the risk of a crash or injury, the company said in a report filed with NHTSA.
Dealers will update the View Monitor Control Module software for free. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent on December 22nd. Owners can contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 6. Mazda’s number for this recall is 6223J.
Recalled vehicles:
- 2024 Mazda CX-9
- 2024 Mazda Mazda3
Kia is recalling Soul compact cars due to damaged parking sensors
Kia is recalling 6,262 of its 2015-2019 Soul EV compact cars because the parking mechanism may be damaged, resulting in unintentional vehicle movement when the shift lever is in the park position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle continues to drive , the company said in an NHTSA report. Unintentional vehicle movements can increase the risk of accidents, the company said.
Dealers update the electronic control unit software free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent on December 22nd. Owners can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired in accordance with 20V-389 must undergo the new remedy.
Recalled vehicles:
Mazda recall to fix software error
Mazda is recalling 4,252 of its 2024 CX-90 plug-in hybrid electric SUVs (PHEVs) because a software error can cause the engine and electric motor to shut down unexpectedly, resulting in a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of an accident may crash, the company said in an NHTSA report.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module and engine control module software for free. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent on December 22nd. Owners can contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 6. Mazda’s number for this recall is 6323J.
Recalled vehicles:
Porsche recall due to airbag problem
Porsche is recalling 2,923 of its 911 Turbo S 2021-2023, 911 Turbo 2022, 911 GT3 Touring 2022-23, 911 GT3, 911 Carrera 4 GTS, 911 Carrera GTS 2022-2024, 911 GT3 RS 2023, 911 Dakar and 20 24 91 models 1 Carrera T vehicles are optionally equipped with full bucket seats because the seat-mounted airbags could deploy unnecessarily in a crash, the automaker said in a report to NHTSA.
Dealers will reprogram the airbag control unit free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent on December 22nd. Owners can contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. The Porsche number for this recall is APB3.
Recalled vehicles:
- 2022-2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS
- 2022-2024 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
- 2024 Porsche 911 Carrera T
- 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar
- Porsche 911 GT3
- 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
- 2022-2023 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring
- 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo
- 2021-2023 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Nissan Z recalled due to hood issue
Nissan is recalling 988 of its 2023-2024 Nissan Z sports cars due to fasteners in the left front bumper reinforcement bracket that could become loose, preventing the pop-up hood from activating. The defect increases the risk that the pop-up hood will not activate as intended: to raise the rear end of the hood during certain frontal collisions, reducing the impact on a pedestrian’s head, the automaker said in an NHTSA report. According to the company, this could increase the risk of injury to pedestrians in such an accident.
Dealers retighten the fasteners free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent on December 7th. Owners can contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan’s number for this recall is R23C8.
Recalled vehicles:
Subaru Forester recalled due to coolant leak
Subaru is recalling 49 of its 2024 Forester SUVs because the engine water pipe may have loose mounting bolts, causing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant. If coolant leaks, it could come into contact with a hot exhaust pipe and increase the risk of fire, an NHTSA report says.
Dealers will tighten the water pipe mounting screws for free. The affected vehicles have not been sold to owners and therefore no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners can contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru’s number for this recall is WRO-23.
Recalled vehicles:
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