Manufacturer recalls for March 2022

In March 2022, several recalls were reported, a bit more than usual. Here is the list of all that went down in March.

Volkswagen has issued a massive recall for its largest SUVs, the Teramont and Teramont X. At least, they are the largest if you do not count the China-only Talagon. In these SUVs, the side airbags are found to not deploy correctly during an accident. The fault lies with a wiring harness with a troubled connection. The Teramont and Teramont X models from the model years 2019 to 2023 are included in this recall. More than 220,000 vehicles are a part of this recall but only a few of them will actually have the issue in question.

Ford announced another SUV recall. This includes their large Ford Expedition, its plushier version the Lincoln Navigator as well as the Ford F-150 truck, all from the model years 2016 to 2017. In these vehicles, the brake fluid may carry contaminants that can degrade the seals inside the master cylinder. This can cause a leak, and reduce braking efficiency. As per the defect support from NHTSA, Ford says that the driver will experience a change in brake pedal feel and travel, and it may require him/her to put additional pressure on it. If the vehicles are found to be affected by this issue, the master cylinder will be replaced for free.

Ford F-150 brings in another recall to this list. This time, it is for the 2021 model. More than 150,000 of these pickups are being recalled for installing new wiper motors. The existing moors can burn out and stop working in a few months. Owners of these trucks can get more information at the NHTSA website using the recall number 22S12.

Another American SUV is also on the recall charts. GM is recalling Terrains from 2010 to 2017 to address a problem with their headlights. Over 740,000 of these SUVs are slated to go on a march back to their dealers. In these vehicles, a small bit of the low-beam light reflects off a reflector in the high beam assembly. GM asked for an exemption as this errant beam does not pose any problem for the oncoming drivers as it is not directed at them. But NHTSA denied the request for an exemption, and hence the recall was scheduled.

American SUVs are not finished with their recall act yet. Ford is recalling about 78,000 2021-2022 Edge crossovers to fix a faulty rear camera. Ford reports that some owners may face distortion or discoloration of the visuals. Or, it may throw just a blank screen, or some lines, or just an error message. The issue can be remedied via a simple over-the-air update though. The NHTSA recall number is 22V-151.

The biggest recall in this list is from BMW. The Bavarian company is recalling more than 900,000 cars due to a fire hazard. This issue is a persistent pain for the company, as it has already triggered two previous recalls. In these vehicles, the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve heater includes a copper heating element, constantly supplied with electric current. This heating element, along with its electrical contacts, is insulated with a plastic coating. Manufacturing defects at the supplier end can lead to cavities forming in these materials, paving way for a short circuit. Alarmingly, the drivers can spot smoke or the smell of it, if this goes wrong.

The first recall for this issue came in 2017, calling back many cars from 2007 to 2010. BMW announced another recall a couple of years later, adding 2006 models to the list. This is BMW’s third crack at eradicating this problem. The affected cars include 2006-2011 models of 1 Series Coupe and Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, Wagon, Coupe and Convertible, E60 5 Series Sedan and Wagon, F10 5 -Series sedan, E83, and F25 X3 generations, X5, E85, and E89 Z4 Roadsters, and E86 Z4 Coupe.

More than 46,000 vehicles appear on the list of a new recall from Audi. These include 2020-2021 S6, 2019-2021 A6 Sedan, 2020-2021 A6 Allroad, 2021 Audi RS6 Avant, 2019-2021 A7, 2020-2021 S7, and 2021 RS7. These cars may show wrong fuel level readings, thanks to some wonky fuel level sensors in the fuel tank. In some of these cars, the sensor may sit too close to a ventilation hose, with which it can make contact. This will cause it to stick, giving out a faulty reading to the fuel gauge. It can also mess with the range figures.

That is all for the recalls from March 2022. Not all these recalls apply to the GCC market, but if you feel your car may be on the list, contact your local dealer to verify.