Car recalls: Why they happen and what buyers should know
Why do car recalls happen? Here’s what to know if your car has an open recall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including notices for over 125,000 2021-2023 Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles.
Are you looking to see if any recalls were issued on your vehicle? If the car isn’t listed below, owners can check USA TODAY’s automotive recall database or search NHTSA’s database for new recalls. The NHTSA website allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number or VIN.
Here’s what you need to know about the vehicle recalls published by NHTSA from Feb. 24 to March 2.
Kia vehicles recalled for engine damage
Kia recalled certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles that may have engine damage.
The recalled vehicles may have equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines supplied by Kia AutolandHwaseong with piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly that could cause the damage, according to the recall report.
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary as well as install a piston-ring noise sensing system software free of charge. Notification letters are expected to be mailed April 4.
Affected vehicles: 137,256
Volkswagen, Audi vehicles recalled over gear issue
Volkswagen Group of America recalled cars under its flagship brand and Audi line.
The vehicles may fail to display the gear position, which could result in the car rolling away if the parking brake is not engaged, according to the recall report. The report suggests owners should engage the parking brake before leaving their cars to prevent the car from rolling away and causing an accident.
The recalled vehicles include:
- 2021 to 2023 Volkswagen ID.4
- 2022 to 2023 Audi Q4 e-Tron
- 2022 to 2023 Audi Q4 e-Tron Sportback
Dealers are to update the brake control unit software free of charge and notification letters are expected to be mailed April 25.
Vehicles affected: 60,490
BMW recalls X3s for potentially faulty door lock
BMW recalled certain 2022-2024 X3 sDrive30i and X3 xDrive30i vehicles as they may have doors that can be inadvertently unlocked, unlatched and may open unexpectedly.
The vehicles may have a second-row seat side door locking module that may not function properly and could allow the doors to be unlocked with a single motion, according to the NHTSA.
Dealers are to replace the second-row seat side door locking modules free of charge and notification letters are to be sent April 14.
Vehicles affected: 40,736
Gensis vehicles recalled due to potential software error
Hyundai Motor America recalled certain Genisis vehicles that could have an instrument panel fail to display due to a software error.
“An inoperative or degraded (instrument panel) cluster image could mask essential gauges, such as the speedometer, fuel gauge, and certain on-screen notifications associated with motive powertrain, increasing the risk of a crash,” the recall report reads.
Recalled vehicles include:
- 2023 to 2024 G80
- 2023 to 2024 GV80
- 2025 GV70
- 2023 to 2025 GV70 “Electrified”
Dealers are to update the instrument panel display software for free and owner notification letters are to be sent April 20.
Vehicles affected: 32,594
Mercedes, Maybach vehicles recalled due to faulty brake hose
Mercedes-Benz USA recalled Mercedes and Maybach vehicles as they may have front brake hoses that may rupture and leak brake fluid, according to the NHTSA.
Recalled cars include:
- 2021 to 2022 Mercedes S 500
- 2021 to 2023 Mercedes S 580 4MATIC
- 2022 S 680 4MATIC
- 2023 S 580e 4MATIC
- 2021 to 2022 Maybach S 580 4MATIC
Dealers are to replace the front brake hoses for free and notification letters are to be mailed April 25.
Vehicles affected: 20,339