Purchasing a new vehicle is a huge moment for many drivers, but sometimes it doesn’t go as smoothly as you hope. With every new car iteration that hits the market, there’s a chance that faults could rear their head later down the line — and sometimes those faults can affect all of the vehicles manufactured.
If that happens, the automaker will announce a recall to rectify the situation. In just the last month, over 612,000 vehicles have been recalled, including those made by Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, and Chrysler. If you’re concerned your vehicle may have been affected, you can search the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database for recalls based on your vehicle identification number or VIN. But to help you out, let’s take a quick look at the latest recalls so you can decide whether you need to visit your local dealership.
Chrysler: Airbag Malfunction
In significant news for Chrysler vehicle owners, over 38,000 of its vehicles are being recalled. According to the associated NHTSA report, there’s a chance that the steering column control model may not be attached properly, which can prevent the driver-side airbag from deploying during a crash. If this is the case, drivers are at a much higher risk of injury during an incident. As a result, the NHTSA also reported that the vehicles failed to comply with Federal Motor Safety Standard number 208: Occupant Crash Protection.
If you own one of the affected vehicles, dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control free of charge. Owners should have received notification letters by May 3, 2024, but they may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s numbers for this recall are 14B, 33B, 34B, 35B, and 36B.
Vehicles and model years being recalled:
- 2023 Chrysler Voyager
- 2023-2024 Chrysler Pacifica
- 2023 Jeep Gladiator
- 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
- 2023-2024 Jeep Wagoneer
- 2023-2024 Jeep Wrangler
- 2023-2024 RAM 1500
- 2023-2024 RAM 2500
- 2023-2024 RAM 3500
- 2023-2024 RAM 4500
- 2023-2024 RAM 5500
Chrysler: Steering Column Parts
In more Chrysler news, 10,908 of its MOPAR steering column control modules are being recalled. These parts were used as replacements in a number of Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram vehicles made between 2017 and 2024. Similar to the previous issue, if a control module isn’t assembled properly, it can prevent a driver’s airbag from deploying — increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Affected owners can bring their vehicles to a dealership for a free inspection. If your steering column control module is found to be defective, they’ll replace it for you too. Recall letters are expected to be delivered by May 3, but you can contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403, quoting the recall number 15B.
Vehicles being recalled:
- 2017-2024 Jeep
- 2017-2024 Chrysler
- 2017-2024 Ram
Chrysler: Side Curtain Airbag May Rupture
Chrysler owners aren’t out of the woods just yet. Almost 300,000 of its 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles are being recalled over side curtain airbags. The NHTSA report details that a manufacturing defect may cause the right and left side curtain airbag inflators to rupture. If the airbag is triggered when the inflator is ruptured, metal fragments can fly out and hit passengers in the vehicle, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Owners of the affected models should take their vehicle to the closest dealership to have both side curtain airbags inspected and replaced for free. As with the other Chrysler issues, notification letters are expected to be sent out on May 3, but you can call FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US, LLC recall number for this is 19B.
Vehicles being recalled:
- 2018-2021 Chrysler 300
- 2018-2021 Dodge Charger sedan
Chrysler: Unintended Deactivation of Traction Control
More recently, Chrysler announced the recall of 26,776 vehicles as a result of potential issues with traction control. According to the NHTSA report, the Traction Control System (“TCS”) uses the accelerator pedal position instead of the calculated throttle position as an input for system activation. When cruise control is activated, the TCS does not function in vehicles with the fault, because the accelerator pedal is not being depressed. TCS being inactive while cruise control is being used can allow wheel slip in certain low traction conditions, which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.
By taking affected vehicles to a dealer, mechanics there will rectify the issue by updating the TCS software free of charge. Recall notification letters are expected to be mailed May 17, and Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is 22B.
Vehicles being recalled:
- 2024 Chrysler Pacifica
- 2024 Chrysler Voyager
Hyundai and Kia: Charging Units
Moving on to Hyundai and Kia recalls, the automakers are recalling a combined 147,110 of their vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (aka ICCU) can become damaged, making it no longer able to charge the 12-volt battery. This will reduce the drive power of the vehicle, which could increase the risk of a crash according to the NHTSA report.
For owners of vehicles potentially affected by this issue, Hyundai and Kia are advising that you visit a dealership where a mechanic will inspect the ICCU, replacing it and its fuse if necessary. They’ll also update the ICCU software — all free of charge.
Kia owners should have received recall notification letters by April 29, 2024, and can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. The Kia number for this recall is SC302. Hyundai owners can expect recall notification letters to be delivered by May 14, 2024, and can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. The Hyundai number for this recall is 257/021G.
Vehicles being recalled:
- 2022-2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- 2022-2024 Kia EV6
- 2023-2024 Genesis GV60
- 2023-2024 Genesis GV70 EV
- 2023-2024 Genesis GV80 EV
- 2023-2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6
Hyundai: Transmission Issue
Hyundai’s 2024 Genesis GV70 is potentially affected by a defect, and 15,645 vehicles are being recalled. The NHTSA report details that water may leak into the transmission control harness, causing a short circuit that can unexpectedly shift the transmission from park to neutral. If this happens while the car is parked at any sort of incline, it can roll away.
Because of this, owners are advised to turn off the ignition and use the emergency parking brake after parking their vehicles. As with other recalls, if your car is potentially affected, take it to your local dealer who will inspect the transmission control harness and, if necessary, repair the connector and wiring for free.
Recall notification letters should be mailed out by May 14, 2024. Owners can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. The number for this recall is 020G.
Vehicles being recalled:
- 2024 Genesis GV70
Hyundai: Obstructed Rearview Camera Image
Over 18,000 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles are being recalled due to a fault with the rearview camera image, which may be obstructed by a trailer parking assist message. The NHTSA report points out that these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111: “Rear Visibility.”
To fix the problem, Dealers will update the software for the rearview camera system free of charge. Owners can expect a recall notification letter to be delivered on June 1, 2024, and can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 258.
Vehicles being recalled:
- 2024 Santa Fe
Mercedes Benz: Loose Volt Connection
Mercedes-Benz owners are also affected by the latest round of recalls, with 116,020 of its vehicles requiring an inspection and potential repair. In some models produced over the last few years, a 48-volt ground connection under the passenger seat could be connected incorrectly. If this is the case, the ground connection will start to overheat. According to the NHTSA report, this overheated ground connection can increase fire risk (may catch fire).
Take your affected vehicle to a local dealer for a free inspection, where they’ll tighten the 48-volt ground connection if necessary (totally free of charge). Owners can expect recall letters to be sent out on May 14, and they can contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Vehicles being recalled:
- 2019-2023 GLS450
- 2020-2023 GLE580
- 2020-2023 GLS580
- 2020-2024 GLE450
- 2021-2023 AMG GLS63
- 2021-2023 MAYBACH GLS600
- 2021-2024 AMG GLE53
- 2021-2024 AMG GLE63 S
- 2023-2024 GLE350
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If you’d like to do a little more reading, the Endurance blog has plenty more helpful articles about other auto manufacturers, such as Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Honda, and Tesla.