The month of April saw several auto safety recall campaigns from major manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Honda, and Kia. When an investigation uncovers a defect or recurring issue in a certain make and model, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announces a safety recall that details the cause and nature of the defect and urges consumers to take their vehicle to their local dealership for the recommended repairs. If you receive a recall notice in the mail notifying you of a safety recall, follow the instructions and seek the replacement part or repair as soon as possible. The dealer should provide the recall repairs at no cost to you. Let’s take a look at some of the most recent vehicle safety recall campaigns and what steps you can take to resolve these concerning issues.
Volkswagen Recalls Vehicles Over Airbag Issue
Volkswagen recently announced that it is recalling 143,000 vehicles because of a faulty weight sensor on the front passenger side that interferes with airbag deployment. Airbags are designed to inflate in the event of a collision. However, a defect in the wiring of the front passenger seat’s weight sensor causes it to switch off the airbag even when someone is occupying the front seat. In the event of a crash, the defect may prevent airbag deployment, increasing the likelihood of injury or death for the front passenger. Currently, the issue affects the 2018-2021 Volkswagen Atlas and 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The manufacturer intends to start notifying affected customers by mail during the month of May. Volkswagen is still working on a permanent solution for this issue, and it will notify consumers via a second letter once a repair has been identified and made available. For now, Volkswagen is urging owners to avoid having people ride in the front passenger seat until the problem is resolved.
Honda Issues Several Safety Recalls
At the end of March, Honda announced a safety recall impacting more than 330,000 vehicles. The issue concerns defective heating pads located behind both side-view mirrors that were not bonded sufficiently, which could cause the mirror glass to fall out and increase the risk of a collision. Customers affected by this recall can expect to receive official notification by mail in May. Once they receive the letter, they should schedule an appointment at the local dealership to have the side-view mirrors replaced, free of charge. So far, the recall concerns the 2020-2022 Honda Odyssey, the 2020-2022 Honda Passport, the 2020-2021 Honda Pilot, and the 2020-2021 Honda Ridgeline.
Rust Concerns for Honda Vehicles in Colder States
In early April, Honda launched a safety recall campaign involving some of its vehicles that were prone to premature corrosion, potentially causing the real trailing arm to detach. This sudden action could cause drivers to lose control and increase the likelihood of a crash. The recall affects nearly 564,000 older Honda CR-Vs manufactured between 2007 and 2011, and it only pertains to those vehicles that were sold or registered in states where salt is used to clear roads in the winter. Honda announced that it would start notifying affected consumers in May. Once you receive the recall notice in the mail, call your dealership to schedule an appointment. The dealer will inspect the SUV and install a support brace or repair the rear frame if necessary. If the frame has suffered significant damage, Honda may offer to buy the vehicle.
Kia Recalls Vehicles Over Power Sliding Door Defect
Kia America recently announced a safety recall affecting over 51,550 vehicles. The issue concerns a defective power sliding door (PSD) auto-reverse feature that may fail to activate in all situations. A few Kia customers reported that they sustained injuries during the closure of the power sliding door. Kia announced that it is conducting this recall to increase public awareness of the PSD function to minimize future injuries or complications. Kia intends to notify customers of the recall during the month of April. Once you receive the recall notice, take your vehicle to the local dealership for an inspection. The dealer will reprogram the power sliding door control module with updated software that adds two warning chimes when the power sliding door begins to open or close. Additionally, the updated software will change the door speed to move more slowly as the door approaches its latching point. So far, this recall pertains to 2022-2023 Kia Carnival vehicles.
Learn More About Auto Recalls Today
If you receive a recall notice about a defect in your vehicle, read the letter thoroughly and follow the directions. Schedule an appointment at your dealership to obtain the recommended inspection, repair, or replacement part. Most recall repairs should be free of charge for affected customers. If you encounter any difficulties or if any questions arise, reach out to a trusted and friendly California lemon law attorney to discuss your situation.
Contact Lemon Law Partners, LLP, today at (510) 944-0336 to arrange a free case evaluation with a dedicated and friendly Berkeley attorney.
