790,000 Vehicles Included in Multiple Recalls

This past week the U.S. National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) issued recall notices affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles.

Most of the models involved in the recalls are from carmakers Honda and Volkswagen. Some vehicles from Kia, Porsche, and BMW have also been flagged by the agency for safety concerns, per USA Today.

Car owners can search for any recalls that may correspond to their vehicle identification number (VIN) on the NHTSA’s website.

Here is an overview of the models affected.

Honda Recall: Frame Corrosion 

Based on an NHTSA recall report, Honda is initiating a recall of 563,711 vehicles due to the possibility of corroded frames.

The issue was found in Honda CR-V models built between 2007 and 2011.

The affected vehicles are located in “salt belt” states where de-icing salt is used to combat ice. Texas was not listed as being among them.

Over time, the salt can accumulate on the car’s rear frame, which can result in corrosion when the vehicle is driven through puddles and flooded areas.

Honda has clarified that only about 1% of the recalled vehicles are expected to have corroded frames.

While the automaker fielded 63 customer complaints in the United States between September 2018 and March 2023, there have been no reported fatalities or injuries associated with this issue.

The remedy proposed in the recall notice depends on whether the rear trailing arm bolt on the affected vehicle can be removed. If so, the vehicle will be repaired. If not, Honda will be willing to buy it back.

Volkswagen Recall: Deactivated Front Passenger Air Bags 

Volkswagen is recalling 143,053 SUVs, specifically the 2018-2021 Atlas and 2020 Atlas Cross Sport models.

According to an NHTSA report, there may be a fault in the wiring of the passenger occupant detection method. This can potentially deactivate the airbag when the seat is occupied.

This increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Affected owners are expected to receive notification by mail on May 26.

Volkswagen has urged owners to refrain from letting anyone occupy the front passenger seat until the issue is resolved. The carmaker is still investigating how to remedy the problem.

Volkswagen Recall: Unexpected Opening of Doors

In a separate recall, an NHTSA report flagged 16,207 Volkswagen ID4 vehicles, specifically 2023 models.

An issue relating to water ingress on the ID4’s door handles has been identified.

This may allow water to seep into the circuit board assembly, allowing the doors to unexpectedly open when the vehicle is subjected to “high lateral forces” at speeds below 9 miles per hour.

This might lead to injuries while driving.

Volkswagen will start notifying owners about the recall on May 26, and a remedy is currently under development.

Once a remedy becomes available, Volkswagen will send a second letter to owners.

As of April 3, Volkswagen has barred sales of the 2023 ID4.

Volkswagen Recall: Fuel Intake Module

A third recall enacted by Volkswagen involves a faulty fuel intake module on 15,874 of its vehicles, according to an NHTSA report.

Only models of the 2022 Volkswagen Taos not outfitted with the optimized version of the fuel intake pump are included in the recall.

Otherwise, the fuel intake module risks getting stuck, which may lead to a sudden loss of engine power while driving. This poses significant safety concerns.

All affected models will receive new fuel intake modules free of charge to correct this issue.

Kia Recall: Injuries Caused by Power Sliding Doors

According to a recent NHTSA recall report, Kia has announced the recall of 51,568 Carnival minivans. This includes all 2022 models and certain 2023 models.

Although no defect has been identified in the power sliding door module, the auto-reverse feature appears to not activate in all instances. Because of this, passengers might not be aware that the doors are closing, which may lead to injuries.

The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received five customer complaints related to the power sliding doors, per USA Today. Three reported injuries and bruises to arms, hands, or shoulders.

To make it more clear to passengers that the car doors are closing and remedy the recall, Kia will update the software of the power sliding doors module. With the update, two warning chimes will signal that the doors are closing.

Affected owners will be notified by mail on April 28, and they can take their vehicles to authorized dealers, where the software will be updated for free.

To obtain further details, owners can contact Kia’s customer service at 1-800-333-4542 and reference the recall number SC266.

Porsche Recall: Suspension Issues

Porsche has issued a recall that affects 489 of its vehicles, according to an NHTSA report.

Owners of its Carrera GT model fabricated in 2004 and 2005 are advised that the spherical joints connecting the wishbone
suspension components on the front and rear axles may wear down and break. 

The material used to make the spherical joints did not prove reliable against mechanical stress and exposure to salt.

If breakage occurs, the vehicle would be difficult to maneuver, and a crash might occur.

Owners will be notified by mail on June 2 if their model is affected by the recall.

Dealers will first perform an inspection, and when the parts required to conduct the retrofit become available, customers will be notified.

Alternative transportation will be provided if the vehicle fails to pass the inspection.

BMW Recall: Front Seats Not Properly Welded

According to an NHTSA report, BMW has identified a potential problem with the welding of front seats in 51 vehicles. 

The 2019-2021 3301, the 2019-2021 M340I, the 2020-2021 X3, and the 2021 X4 have been flagged.

BMX discovered that a supplier had not produced the front seats according to the required specifications. As a result, some play in the seat might be observed and a vibrating noise might be heard while driving.

There is also a risk that the structural integrity of the passenger seat might not hold up in the event of a crash. 

No injuries have been reported in relation to the defect.

The carmaker will voluntarily replace the seat frame and backrest on the affected vehicles.

Owners will be notified by mail on May 19 if their vehicle is included in the recall.