Ford, Kia, Volvo, other vehicles recalled in January

January vehicle recalls overview: 

• Who: Automakers Ford, Volko, Kia and Hyundai recently initiated or agreed to conduct vehicle recalls. 
• Why: The recalls involve a potentially malfunctioning turn signal, defective roof molding, defective windshield clips, a rear axle hub bolt defect, a battery cable defect and emission-cheating claims. 
• Where: The recalls impact the owners of certain vehicles nationwide. 

Automakers Ford, Volvo, Kia and Hyundai recently initiated recalls and/or agreed to conduct recalls to resolve a variety of safety-related issues. 

The vehicle recalls involve a potentially malfunctioning turn signal, defective roof molding, defective windshield clips, a rear axle hub bolt defect, a battery cable defect and emission-cheating claims. 

An automaker may choose to initiate a vehicle recall if it finds a vehicle has an issue that could increase the risk of an accident and endanger drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other vehicles on the road.

Volvo XC40 vehicles recalled over defective left rear turn signals

Volvo recalled more than 17,000 of its model year 2024 Volvo XC40 vehicles last month over concerns they contain a defective left rear turn signal that could fail to alert approaching drivers of an intention to turn. 

The recall involves 17,409 Volvo XC40 vehicles produced between Oct. 13, 2022, and Dec. 20, 2023, and that have not had the issue remedied via corrected or updated software in their central electronic module. 

Volvo says it will contact vehicle owners around Feb. 28. 

Kia recalls Carnival, Sportage vehicles over defective roof molding 

Kia America recalled more than 100,000 of its model year 2022-2024 Carnival and 2023-2024 Sportage vehicles over concerns they were manufactured with defective roof molding that can loosen and detach. 

The recall involves 101,049 Kia Carnival and Sportage vehicles. The defective roof molding could detach, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash, according to the recall notice. 

Kia says it expects to mail recall notification letters to impacted vehicle owners by March 15. 

Ford recalls F-150 trucks over defective rear axle hub bolt concerns

Ford Motor Co. recalled more than 110,000 of its model year 2021-2023 F-150 trucks in December over concerns they were manufactured with a defective rear axle hub bolt that could cause the vehicle to roll away if the driver doesn’t use the parking brake. 

The recall involves 112,965 Ford F-150 trucks equipped with the automaker’s Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. 

Impacted vehicle owners should receive notification soon. 

Ford Explorer vehicles recalled over potentially defective retention clips 

Ford recalled nearly 1.9 million of its model year 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles last month over concerns a defective retention clip located on the vehicle’s A-pillar trim could detach and fall off, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of an accident.

The recall involves Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured with trim clips from May 17, 2010, to March 3, 2019. 

Ford says it will send notices to affected vehicle owners between March 13-25. 

Hyundai recalls Kona vehicles over defective battery cable concerns

Hyundai recalled almost 11,000 of its model year 2024 Kona vehicles in late December over concerns they contain a defective 12-volt battery cable that could become damaged during a frontal accident. 

The damaged cables could create an electrical short, leading to a fire in the Kona vehicle’s engine compartment, according to the recall notice.

The recall involves 10,984 Hyundai Kona vehicles equipped with a 1.6T-GDI engine produced between June 19, 2023, and Dec. 18, 2023. Hyundai says it plans to notify impacted vehicle owners about the recall around Feb. 23. 

Dodge Ram vehicles set to be recalled as part of emissions cheating settlement 

More than 600,000 Dodge Ram vehicles are set to be recalled as part of a settlement made by engine manufacturer Cummins Co. to end claims it illegally equipped the pickup trucks with emission-control software. 

The mandatory recall is part of a $2 billion settlement Cummins agreed to in December. Federal and California regulators claim Cummins installed emission control software in the diesel pickup trucks to cheat emissions testing. 

The government claims an estimated 630,000 model year 2013-2019 Dodge Ram pickup trucks and approximately 330,000 of the model year 2019-2023 version are equipped with auxiliary emission control devices, according to the settlement. 

Were you affected by a vehicle recall in January? Let us know in the comments.

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