Chrysler, VW, GM announce auto recalls in May

May auto recalls overview: 

• Who: Chrysler, Volkswagen and General Motors announced automobile recalls in May. BMW also initiated a vehicle recall in March. 
• Why: The automakers initiated the recalls over vehicle safety concerns, including fire risk, exploding airbags, defective door handles and improperly welded front seat frames. 
• Where: The auto recalls affect consumers nationwide. 

Chrysler, Volkswagen (VW) and General Motors Co. (GM) in May announced auto recalls initiated over safety concerns. 

An automaker may initiate a recall if it determines the vehicle contains a defect that could endanger drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other automobiles. 

Chrysler recalls model year 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles over fire risk concerns

Chrysler recalled more than 132,000 of its model year 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles — which were previously repaired during a 2015 recall — over concerns they could catch fire even when turned off and not in use. 

Chrysler initiated the recall over concerns an electrical short originating in the recalled Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles’ power liftgate module could cause them to catch fire while the ignition is either turned on or off. 

Chrysler says it has so far identified 50 customer assistance records, 23 warranty claims and 21 field reports that may potentially be connected to the recall but is not aware of any related injuries or accidents.

Owners of the recalled Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles should park them outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the issue is resolved. 

GM recalls more than 990,000 vehicles over concerns airbag inflators could rupture during deployment

GM recalled more than 990,000 of its vehicles over concerns they were equipped with airbags that could potentially rupture. 

The GM recall applies to model year 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia vehicles. 

GM initiated the recall after determining the vehicles were equipped with an airbag on the front driver’s side containing an inflator that could explode when deployed, causing metal fragments to shoot into the cabin. 

The company says it received one report of an airbag inflator in a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse rupturing during deployment after the vehicle was involved in an accident. 

VW recalls more than 35,000 ID.4 SUVs over concerns doors could unexpectedly open

VW announced a recall for more than 35,000 of its model year 2021-2022 ID.4 SUVs in May over concerns their doors could open unexpectedly while the vehicles are in motion. 

The automaker initiated the recall after determining the recalled ID.4 SUVs were equipped with door handles that could allow water to enter the vehicles’ circuit board assembly, causing the doors to potentially open unexpectedly. 

“A vehicle door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury,” the VW recall states. 

VW says it received 28 reports of doors on the recalled vehicles opening unexpectedly from June 2021 to April 2023 but is not aware of any related injuries.

The automaker says it will remedy the issue by releasing a software update and that its dealers will inspect the recalled ID.4 SUVs door handles, as necessary, at no cost to vehicle owners. 

BMW recalls 51 vehicles over potential improperly welded front seat frames

In March, BMW initiated a recall of 51 of its vehicles, including 41 SUVs, over concerns they were produced with front seat frames that may not have been properly welded to the seat rails. 

The recall applies to 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 330i xDrive and M340i xDrive sedans; 2020-2021 BMW X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and X3M SUVs; 2021-2021 BMW X3 xDrive30e SUVs; and 2021-2021 BMW X4 xDrive30i and X4M SUVs. 

BMW says it initiated the recall over concerns improper welding of the front seat frames could cause vehicle passengers to move around in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injuries. 

The automaker says it is not aware of any injuries or accidents that would be connected to the recall. 

Were you affected by one of these auto recalls? Let us know in the comments.

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