December Auto Recalls

Safety on the roads should be a top priority for everyone, and while driving safely is an important factor, the safety of your vehicle matters just as much. While today’s vehicles are equipped with top-of-the-line safety features, vehicle recalls can happen every day. In December alone, 21 different recalls were announced for U.S. motor vehicles. Make sure you stay up to date with auto recalls to ensure that your vehicle is ready to roll on the roads.

According to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the following recalls were issued in December. If you find your vehicle on this list, contact your dealership for further information about the steps to take relating to your specific recall defect.

Mercedes Benz GLE450 and AMG GLE53 vehicles 

Year: 2021

Units Recalled: 17

Defect: Recalled for improperly tightened electric heater ground bolts. In the passenger-side footwell, the ground connection bolts for the electric heater may be improperly tightened. Loose ground connection bolts on the electric heater may cause the wiring to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles

Year: 2022

Units Recalled: 793

Defect: Recalled for seat not locking in the upright position. The second-row center-seat recliner pull strap may bind on the seat trim surface, preventing the seat back from locking into the upright position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, “Seating Systems.”

Chrysler Ram 1500 pickup trucks

Year:2021

Units Recalled: 38,157

Defect: Recalled for rearview camera not displaying an image. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control Module (TRSCM) may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, “Rear Visibility.”

Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles

Year: 2021-2022

Units Recalled: 114,996

Defect: Recalled for reduced braking performance. The rear brake linings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can affect braking performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.”

2019 Honda Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles

Year: 2016-2020

Units Recalled: 724,826

Defect: The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

2021-2022 Toyota Sequoia and 2021 Tundra vehicles

Year: 2021-2022

Units Recalled: 22,462

Defect: Recalled for incorrectly manufactured steering gear assembly. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak. An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

2021-2022 Chrysler Ram 2500, Ram 3500, and 2021 Ram 1500 Classic pickup trucks

Year: 2021-2022

Units Recalled: 132

Defect: Recalled for side curtain air bag deploying improperly. The side air bag inflatable curtain (SABIC) assemblies may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in an improper air bag deployment. An air bag that deploys improperly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

2021 Mercedes-Benz S580, 2022 EQS450, EQS580, and S500 vehicles with an active and connected Mercedes me connect account

Year: 2021-2022

Units Recalled: 227

Defect: Recalled for infotainment system may cause driver distraction. The MBUX infotainment system might allow activation of the television and internet display while driving, causing a distraction for the driver. Driver distraction can increase the risk of a crash.

Kia Rio vehicles

Year: 2020-2021

Units Recalled: 87

Defect: Recalled for reduced braking performance. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance. Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Hyundai Accent vehicles

Year: 2021

Units Recalled: 76

Defect: Recalled for reduced braking performance. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance. Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

2021-2022 Volkswagen Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles

Year: 2018-2022

Units Recalled: 288,991

Defect: Recalled for control module shutdown reducing engine power. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown. A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Hyundai Ioniq electric vehicles

Year: 2017-2019

Units Recalled: 2,679

Defect: Recalled for unintended acceleration after gas pedal release. An unstable electrical ground may cause the vehicle to enter a fail-safe mode with reduced acceleration and power. In certain conditions while in fail-safe mode, the vehicle may accelerate after the gas pedal is released. Unexpected acceleration following gas pedal release can increase the risk of a crash.

Mercedes-Benz various model vehicles

Year: 2019

Units Recalled: 139

Defect: Recalled for fuel leak between fuel rail and injectors. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

2019-2022 Autocar Xpeditor and 2020-2022 Legend vehicles

Year: 2019-2022

Units Recalled: 1,001

Defect: Recalled for fuel tubes cracking and leaking fuel. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak. A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Nissan Frontier vehicles

Year: 2022

Units Recalled: 425

Defect: Recalled for seat belt bracket breaking. The seat belt bracket mounting bolts on the left-rear seat may have been incorrectly tightened. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, “Seating Systems,” 209, “Seatbelt Assemblies,” and 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.” During a crash, a loose seat belt bracket may break, causing a loss of seat belt restraint and increasing the risk of injury.

Nissan Rogue vehicles

Year: 2021

Units Recalled: 24,793

Defect: Recalled for fuel pump overheating. Abnormal wear inside the fuel pump may cause it to overheat and fail. Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Shyft Spartan RV Chassis K3 vehicles

Year: 2020-2023

Units Recalled: 143

Defect: Recalled for fuel tubes cracking and leaking fuel. The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five, and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high pressure fuel leak. A high pressure fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Ford Maverick vehicles

Year: 2022

Units Recalled: 5,456

Defect: Recalled for fuel tank damage. The fuel tank may have been damaged by drill holes during the installation of the spray-in bed-liner. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, “Fuel System Integrity.” A damaged fuel tank may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Ford Transit vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD)

Year: 2020

Units Recalled: 4,548

Defect: Recalled for driveshaft separating. The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become lose or damaged, which can result in separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case. Driveshaft separation can result in a loss of drive power, or unintended movement while parked if the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford F-150 vehicles with manual and power release tailgates

Year: 2018

Units Recalled: 57,591

Defect: Recalled for tailgate opening unexpectedly. Unexpected tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford F-150 vehicles

Year: 2021-2022

Units Recalled: 184,698

Defect: Recalled for damaged driveshaft fracture. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture. A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Ford Mustang vehicles

Year: 2021

Units Recalled: 93

Defect: Recalled for faulty side curtain air bag. The side curtain air bag inflators may have been manufactured with the incorrect amount of compressed gas, which can result in improper air bag inflation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 226, “Ejection Mitigation,” and 214, “Side Impact Protection.” An air bag that does not inflate properly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

2021-2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E and 2022 Maverick vehicles

Year: 2021-2022

Units Recalled: 2,622

Defect: Recalled for improperly attached rear seat belts. The rear seat belt buckles may not be properly attached to the rear floor assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, “Occupant Crash Protection,” and 210, “Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages.” Improperly attached seat belts may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford Transit Connect vehicles

Year: 2014

Units Recalled: 311

Defect: Recalled for panoramic roof panels separating from vehicle. An improper bond may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, which may result in the panel separating from the vehicle. Panoramic roof panel separation while driving can increase the risk of an injury or crash.

Ford Ranger and Bronco vehicles 

Year: 2021

Units Recalled: 839

Defect: The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production. A misaligned radar module may prevent the vehicle from maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles when adaptive cruise control is active. In addition, the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system may react slowly, or not react at all, during a pre-collision assist braking event. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Bentley Bentayga, Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Continental GT Convertible vehicles

Year: 2021-2022

Units Recalled: 3,777

Defect: Recalled for incorrect air bag information in manual. The owner’s manual incorrectly states that the air bag system will not deploy when the “Passenger Airbag On” symbol is illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” The incorrect information may change how occupants position themselves in relation to the air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Toyota 4Runner vehicles

Year: 2022

Units Recalled: 78

Defect: Recalled for inoperable driver’s side high beams. The driver’s side high beam may be inoperable after the installation of accessory fog lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.” An inoperable driver’s side high beam may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Tesla Model S vehicles

Year: 2014-2021

Units Recalled: 119,009

Defect: Recalled for front trunk hood opening unexpectedly. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, “Hood Latch System.” If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver’s view and increasing the risk of a crash.

Tesla Model 3 vehicles 

Year: 2017-2020

Units Recalled: 356,309

Defect: Recalled for rearview camera image not displaying. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver’s rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Injured Due to a Defective Vehicle? We’re Here to Help.

Many of these recalls involve defects that can compromise a driver’s ability to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. These defects can cause accidents that could lead to serious injuries or deaths.  If you have been injured due to a defective vehicle, Mike Morse Law Firm is here to help. Call us 24/7 at 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946) for a free consultation with one of our experienced Michigan auto accident attorneys.  You can also get help by visiting our contact page or using the chat feature on our website.

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 200 employees, served 40,000 clients, and collected more than $1.5 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.