If you have received a notice of a safety recall impacting your vehicle’s make and model, you are far from alone. A number of auto manufacturers have recently announced recalls over various safety issues in their vehicles, urging affected customers to take their vehicles to their local dealerships to receive the replacement parts free of charge. Below are some of the most recent safety recalls launched within the last few weeks to keep you informed and prepared to seek the necessary repairs as soon as they become available.
Chevrolet
General Motors announced a recall of certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles. The safety issue concerns a defective secondary hood latch that may corrode at the launch pivot, preventing the hood latch from engaging correctly. Affected customers should bring their vehicles to the dealership to obtain a replacement of the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly at no cost to the owner. The manufacturer intends to notify affected customers beginning October 10, 2022, and second letters will be mailed once the parts and remedies have been made available. An estimated 120,688 Chevrolet vehicles are affected by this latest safety recall.
Ford
Earlier this month, Ford Motor Company announced a safety recall of certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles. These affected vehicles are equipped with a 360-degree camera system, whose anti-reflective lens coating can deteriorate prematurely and lead to a cloudy or foggy rearview camera image. As a result, drivers may have trouble backing up or spotting potential safety issues in time to avoid a collision. The manufacturer will begin mailing notification letters to affected Ford customers beginning in mid-September, urging consumers to schedule a visit to the dealership to have the rearview camera fully inspected and replaced free of charge. So far, approximately 277,040 Ford trucks and vehicles have been impacted by this safety recall.
Hyundai
Hyundai recently launched a safety recall campaign over an improperly welded emblem on the cover of the driver’s front airbag, which may lead to the emblem detaching upon deployment and jeopardizing the driver’s safety. So far, an estimated 247 vehicles have been identified with this issue, all of which are 2022 Elantra N and 2022-2023 Elantra vehicles. Dealers will begin notifying customers in mid-October, encouraging them to take their car to the dealership for a complete airbag replacement at no charge.
Additionally, Hyundai identified another safety issue affecting 2020-3033 Palisade vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness, either installed as original equipment or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Unfortunately, when debris or moisture accumulates on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board, this could cause an electrical short and increase the risk of fire. Hyundai has advised owners to park their vehicles outside and away from major structures until they have received the recall repair. Although the final remedy is still being developed, owners may take their vehicles to the dealer for a complete safety inspection of the tow hitch module. The manufacturer estimates that this safety issue may impact 245,030 Hyundai vehicles.
Jeep
Chrysler announced a safety recall of certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500, and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles. The issue concerns a radio software error that may prevent the rearview image from displaying, causing these vehicles to fail to comply with the listed requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, also known as “Rear Visibility.” Dealers will update the radio software at no charge to affected customers, who can expect to receive notification letters in mid-October. Chrysler estimates that 7,895 vehicles will be impacted by this rearview image defect.
Kia
In mid-August, Kia launched a safety recall impacting certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness. Whether the tow hitch harness was installed as original equipment or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership, owners may experience an electrical short and increased risk of fire when debris and moisture accumulate on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board. Kia has instructed owners of these vehicles to park outside and away from buildings and structures until they have received the recommended repairs. Owner notification letters will be mailed in mid-October to approximately 36,420 customers.
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