Tesla, Toyota, other automakers issue recent vehicle recalls

Recent vehicle recalls overview: 

• Who: Ford, Tesla, Chrysler, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia initiated vehicle recalls in September and October. 
• Why: The recalls involve brake fluid detection, a defective rearview camera, a wrongly labeled load carrying capacity, potential engine fires and a potentially disconnecting driveshaft. 
• Where: The vehicle recalls affect consumers nationwide. 

Ford, Tesla, Chrysler, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia initiated vehicle recalls in September and October

The automakers initiated the vehicle recalls over a potentially overheating battery, an incorrect load carrying capacity modification label, a failure to detect low brake fluid, a rearview camera defect, a potential driveshaft disconnect and a potential for engine fires. 

An automaker may choose to issue a vehicle recall if it determines a vehicle contains a defect that could endanger drivers, passengers and/or other vehicles or pedestrians on the roadway. 

Ford recalls Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles due to potential battery overheating

Ford recalled 34,762 of its model year 2021-2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles in October over concerns a part in their battery could overheat, leading to a loss of power and increasing the risk of an accident, according to a recall notice.

The automaker says the high-voltage battery main contactor could overheat in Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with an extended range battery.

“An overheated contactor that is prevented from properly closing while driving can result in a loss of motive power, which can increase the risk of a crash,” the Ford recall states. 

Ford recalls Explorer SUVs over concerns driveshaft could disconnect 

Ford separately recalled 238,364 of its model year 2020-2022 Ford Explorer SUVs last month over concerns they were equipped with a rear axle horizontal mounting bolt that could fracture and cause the vehicle’s driveshaft to disconnect, a recall notice states.

A disconnected driveshaft could cause the recalled Ford Explorer SUVs to either experience a loss of drive power or roll away if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash, according to the Ford recall. 

“If the rear axle bolt breaks, the driveshaft or halfshafts may become disconnected, resulting in loss of transmission torque to the rear wheels,” the Ford recall states. 

Miscalibrated brake fluid level sensors lead to Tesla Model X recall 

Tesla issued a recall for nearly 55,000 of its model year 2021-2023 Model X vehicles last month after discovering miscalibrated brake fluid level sensors. 

“A vehicle controller that does not correctly indicate low brake fluid levels to the customer may impact braking performance and may increase the risk of a collision,” the Tesla recall states. 

The automaker says it will resolve the collaboration through a software update and vehicle owners will not be required to bring them for in-person service, according to the recall notice.

Chrysler recalls Ram trucks over rearview camera defect 

Chrysler recalled 272,911 of its model year 2022-2024 Ram trucks last month over concerns they were equipped with defective rearview cameras. 

The recall involves model year 2022-2023 Ram 1500, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds, and model year 2022-2024 Ram 2500 vehicles, according to the notice. 

Chrysler says it is concerned radio interference could prevent rearview cameras on the recalled Ram trucks from displaying an image, causing them to not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. 

“A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver’s rear view, increasing the risk of a crash,” the Chrysler recall states. 

Tundra vehicles recalled over incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels

Toyota recalled 21,781 of its model year 2023 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles in September over concerns they were marked with incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. 

The automaker is concerned the weight for the spray-on bed liner on the recalled Toyota Tundra and Tundra Hybrid vehicles was incorrectly calculated, according to the recall. 

“Due to system errors, the weight of the accessory was incorrectly specified, causing the vehicles receiving the label to indicate an added weight less than the actual total weight of accessories installed,” the Toyota recall states.

Hyundai, Kia recall vehicles over engine fire concerns 

Hyundai and Kia recalled more than 3 million vehicles in September over engine compartment fire concerns. 

The Kia recall involves certain models of more than 1.7 million Kia Borrego, Cadenza, Forte, Forte Koup, K900, Optima, Optima Hybrid, Rio, Sorento, Soul, Sportage and Rondo vehicles.

Kia says it is concerned a fire could start in the engine compartments of the recalled vehicles due to a short circuit in their Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, according to the recall notice. 

The Hyundai recall, meanwhile, is for certain models of more than 1.6 million Hyundai Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra Coupe, Equus, Genesis Coupe, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, Tucson, Tucson Fuel Cell, Sonata Hybrid, Veloster and Veracruz vehicles. 

Hyundai says it is concerned a fire could start in the engine compartments of the recalled vehicles due to an internal leak of brake fluid in their Anti-Lock Brake System modules, according to the recall notice.

Were you affected by an October vehicle recall? Let us know in the comments. 

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