More than 2.2 million vehicles from four carmakers have been recalled in the US due to potential safety hazards – some of which could be fatal.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the recalls, citing heightened risks of potential crashes.
Among the models recalled are 2011 through 2019 Ford Explorers and rear-view camera malfunctions in 2023 Tesla model S, X and Y vehicles.
The newly announced recall comes after major manufacturers issued 320 recalls last year alone, affecting roughly 32 million vehicles, a drop from 932 recalls the previous year.
However, the latest recall is just a small amount compared to those issued in the last 50 years.
In February 2014, GM was forced to recall 30 million vehicles due to a faulty ignition switch that cut power to the power steering, anti-lock brakes, and airbags, resulting in 275 injuries and at least 124 fatalities spanning 10 years.
Major car recalls date all the way back to the 1970s across numerous companies including Ford which issued a 4.3 million vehicle recall for faulty seatbelts in 1972.
Ford is recalling 1.9 million Ford Explorers for a loose piece of trim that can fall off, endangering other drivers
Nearly 1.9 million select 2011 through 2019 Ford Explorers are recalled for a loose piece of trim that can fall off and endanger other drivers.
Mazda also landed on NHTSA’s long list after its 2024 CX-90, along with two Range Rover models and one from BMW.
An investigation into Ford’s SUV models revealed that clips attaching the trim to the vehicle ‘are not properly engaged due to improper assembly or repair,’ causing them to come loose or fully detach from the vehicle.
Ford first identified the problem in 2018, but ‘determined that this concern was not an unreasonable risk to safety due to the low mass/geometry of the part,’ the company said in a recall letter.
It wasn’t until February 2023 that the NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation into the issue.
Company spokesperson Maria Buczkowski told Dailymail.com that Ford expects the recall to affect ‘only 5 percent of the vehicle population’ and will mail letters to Ford Explorer owners in March.
Buczkowski added that Ford will inspect any affected vehicles and issue necessary replacements for free, and urged customers to contact their local dealership to see if their car qualifies for the replacement.
Tesla recalled 200,000 model S, X, and Y vehicles for a rearview mirror software malfunction
Meanwhile, Tesla’s latest recall for 200,000 of its Model S, X, and Y vehicles is yet another blow to the company’s steady stream of recalls over the last several years.
The recall is due to a software malfunction in the rearview cameras that could obstruct the driver’s visibility while reversing.
Tesla received reports that the camera vehicles were not displaying a rearview camera feed on December 26 and deployed an over-the-air software update two days later to the affected vehicles.
During the investigation, Tesla said the rearview software issue ‘may affect the driver’s rear visibility and increase the risk of a collision’ and issued a voluntary recall on January 12.
Tesla said in an NHTSA report that there are 81 warranty claims so far, but it is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the malfunction.
Owners of the affected vehicles will receive the over-the-air software update free of charge.
Mazda issued a recall for 43,725 2024 CX-90 vehicles due to the steering system losing power assist
Tesla’s recall comes only two months after it recalled nearly all of its two million vehicles in the U.S. over issues with its Autopilot driver-assistance system, following a 2021 probe over fatal crashes involving the autopilot system.
The NHTSA required Tesla to update its system to ensure drivers are required to pay attention while using autopilot, citing in the report that the system controls ‘may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse.’
Mazda issued a recall for 43,725 2024 CX-90 vehicles due to the steering system losing power assist.
Drivers have been told that they may experience a ‘sudden and unexpected change of steering effort,’ which could increase the risk of a crash.
Mazda traced the issue to gear in the steer assembly and the friction can make it harder to steer the CX-90.
Owners are urged to take vehicles to a dealer, which will then replace the gear.
Mazda issued the recall on January 11 and has not heard of accidents related to the issue as of that date.
The recall was issued for the Range Rover and Sport models manufactured between 2018 and 2022, which includes 58,729 vehicles
The recall was issued for the Range Rover and Sport models manufactured between 2018 and 2022, which includes 58,729 vehicles.
The problem is that water can get into the rear-view camera, distorting what the driver sees on the display – and potentially causing an accident.
Mechanics can investigate cameras on recalled vehicles to determine if they are impacted by the malfunction and if so, they will replace necessary parts.
Approximately 107 Rolls-Royce Spectre hybrid have been recalled due to a potentially faulty ground cable. A ground is a wire which supplies a path for battery current to flow
Approximately 107 Rolls-Royce Spectre hybrid have been recalled due to a potentially faulty ground cable.
A ground is a wire which supplies a path for battery current to flow.
BMW noted that the specific model could have adhesive residue between the front electric motor and vehicle chassis – and about 90 percent of the bunch are likely to have the issue.
If not fixed, the vehicle will have insufficient ground that could cause the it to catch fire.
