Weekly Automobile & Motorcycle Safety Recalls | Aug 31, 2026
Last updated: August 31, 2026 — recalls below cover August 24–31, 2026.
Five minutes checking your VIN beats a lifetime fighting an insurance company after a defect causes a crash. Here’s what NHTSA and manufacturers filed this week, and what it means if you’re driving in Nevada or California.
Manufacturers filed recalls this week covering rearview cameras that go dark, an EV fire risk serious enough to carry a park-outside warning, a steering part in select BMWs, and an airbag sensor in Kia’s newest three-row EV. None of these vehicles have been pulled off the road entirely, but several carry real injury risk, and recall letters can take weeks or months to reach a mailbox after NHTSA opens the file. If you own any of the vehicles below, don’t wait for the letter — check NHTSA’s VIN lookup today. And with Labor Day travel about to fill I-15 and the 215 Beltway around Las Vegas, and I-5 and the 405 across Southern California, this is a good week to check before you load up the car.
This Week’s Biggest Recall
2026–2027 Jeep, Ram, Chrysler & Dodge: Rearview Camera Failure (NHTSA #26V531)
Stellantis is recalling more than 844,000 vehicles across four brands because the rearview camera image may not display on the touchscreen, according to Chrysler’s recall filing. A backup camera that goes black the moment you shift into reverse is exactly the kind of defect that turns a routine parking-lot maneuver into a hit on a pedestrian, a shopping cart, or a kid darting behind a bumper. The recall spans the 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, Compass, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee L, Grand Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer L; the 2026 Ram ProMaster, ProMaster EV, 1500, and 2500; the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid and Voyager; and the 2026–2027 Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger.
What to do: The fix is a radio software update, available either over the air or at a dealer, at no cost. Owner notification letters are going out this week. Call Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 and reference recall number 78D, or look up your VIN directly with NHTSA.
Other Major Recalls Filed This Week
2022–2026 Lucid Air: Overheating Circuit, Fire Risk — Park Outside (NHTSA #26V540)
Lucid is recalling 27,185 Air sedans because the exterior lighting circuit may lack sufficient overcurrent protection, allowing it to overheat, according to CarPro’s recall roundup. Until the fix lands, Lucid is telling owners to park outside and away from structures — the same advisory NHTSA uses for the highest-risk fire recalls, EV or gas-powered.
What to do: The remedy is a free over-the-air software update. Owner letters are expected by October 16, 2026. Call Lucid at 1-888-995-8243 and reference recall #SR-26-06-0.
2026 Ford Explorer (2.3L EcoBoost): Rod Bearing Failure (NHTSA #26V532)
Only 17 Explorers are involved, but the defect is severe: a mis-calibrated polishing tool at Ford’s Dearborn Engine Plant produced crankshafts with excessive rod bearing wear, and the Carbuzz report on the defect traces it to a single 30-minute production window in June. Drivers may notice engine knocking or a sudden loss of power before failure.
What to do: Ford will replace the entire engine long block at no cost. If you own a 2026 Explorer with the 2.3L EcoBoost and notice knocking or power loss, don’t wait for the letter — call your dealer now.
2023–2025 BMW X3: Steering Spindle May Detach (NHTSA #26V524)
Only 13 U.S. vehicles are affected, built across an unusually wide window from August 2023 through February 2026, but the failure mode is about as serious as it gets: the Carbuzz coverage of the steering defect explains that the spindle connecting the steering wheel to the steering rack may not be properly attached, which could let the wheel spin independently of the front tires. BMW estimates roughly 5% of the recalled population — about one vehicle — actually has the defect, and reports no crashes or injuries so far.
What to do: BMW will inspect the steering column and spindle assembly and replace parts as needed. Repairs begin in October 2026. Call BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
2025–2026 Kia EV9: Airbag May Not Suppress for a Child Passenger (NHTSA #26V545)
Kia is recalling 21,290 EV9 SUVs because the front-passenger Occupant Detection System tube can get pinched when the seat is raised, and a damaged tube may fail to tell the airbag a child restraint is in the seat, according to TopSpeed’s breakdown of the defect. That matters directly: an airbag that deploys into a rear-facing or forward-facing child seat can cause serious injury. Kia estimates about 6% of the recalled vehicles — roughly 1,275 — actually have the damaged tube.
What to do: Dealers will inspect the tube routing and replace damaged parts at no cost. Letters go out starting October 20, 2026. Call Kia at 1-800-333-4542 and reference campaign SC379.
2024–2025 Toyota Tacoma & Tacoma Hybrid: Shock Absorber Reservoir May Detach (NHTSA #26V514)
Toyota is recalling 48,280 Tacomas — 43,827 conventional trucks and 4,453 hybrids — because moisture can reach untreated metal on certain Bilstein shock absorbers, and the ProStreet writeup of the recall describes how expanding corrosion can crack the weld and separate the external oil reservoir from the shock body, cutting suspension damping without warning.
What to do: Dealers will inspect and replace affected shock assemblies at no cost. Letters mail in phases between September 21 and October 5, 2026. Call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and reference campaigns 26TB14 or 26TA14.
2021–2023 Dodge Durango: Rear Spoiler May Detach (NHTSA #26V528)
About 75,000 Durangos are affected by a rear spoiler that isn’t properly aligned to the roof and can come loose while driving — a real hazard for the car behind you at highway speed. Per Stellpower’s recall coverage, this is the third recall covering the same underlying spoiler problem, and vehicles already repaired under the two earlier campaigns still need this new fix.
What to do: Dodge is still finalizing the repair procedure; owner letters are expected around September 10, 2026. Call Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 and reference recall 61D.
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Windshield Wipers May Fail (NHTSA #26V529)
A small recall — 81 U.S. vehicles — but worth knowing if you own a brand-new Grand Cherokee: a software bug can cause the wipers to stop working. Dealers will update the software at no cost.
Also Filed This Week
A handful of commercial and specialty-vehicle recalls also landed with NHTSA this week, according to the Trucks, Parts, Service recall summary:
- 2025–2026 Horton ambulances (545 units): a touchscreen display may go unresponsive, disabling exterior emergency lighting controls (NHTSA #26V533).
- 2026 Rossmonster Skye, Baja & Havn motorcoaches (85 units): a circuit board in the rooftop ventilation fan may overheat, creating a fire risk (NHTSA #26V538).
- 2025–2026 E-One Cyclone & Typhoon fire apparatus: a hydraulic valve may fail and prevent outrigger operation, per the ConsumerAffairs recall derby (NHTSA #26V537).
This Week’s Recall for Motorcycle Riders
No new motorcycle campaign hit NHTSA’s books this week. The one still worth every rider’s attention is the 2024–2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R crankshaft bushing recall (NHTSA #25V798): more than 20,000 units carry a “do not ride” warning because over-tightened crankshaft bolts can damage the No. 5 bushing and seize the engine mid-ride, and the motorcycle recall report notes Kawasaki still hasn’t finalized a fix or a notification schedule. If you own one of these bikes, that warning still applies today — call Kawasaki at (855) 878-4217 for the latest.
Critical Recalls Still Open
These campaigns are from prior weeks, still unrepaired for many owners, and worth a second look if you haven’t acted yet:
- 2018–2026 Jeep Wrangler & Gladiator — a power steering wiring defect creates a fire risk “even when the vehicle is turned off,” per the Yahoo Autos recall report. Over 1 million vehicles are affected, with 51 fires and one injury reported so far.
- 2021 Ford Expedition & Lincoln Navigator — faulty seat belt pretensioners may fail to restrain occupants in a crash; nearly 420,000 vehicles are covered.
- 2021 Ford Expedition & Lincoln Navigator (separate campaign) — a circuit board in the battery junction box can short out, with at least 16 fires documented, often while the vehicle was parked and off, according to coverage of NHTSA’s park-outside recalls.
- 2020–2024 Kia Telluride — nearly 463,000 SUVs are under a second recall for the same front power-seat switch fire risk, since Kia’s first fix didn’t fully solve it, per GearJunkie’s report on the repeat recall. Park outside until it’s repaired.
- 2021–2026 Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor — abrasion in the engine-compartment wiring harness can spark a fire; Ford has documented 15 incidents so far, per the PickupTruckTalk recall coverage. More than 565,000 vehicles are affected, and owner letters finished mailing August 28, 2026.
- 2021–2025 BMW X3, 3 Series, X4, 5 Series, 2 Series, 4 Series, Z4 & Toyota Supra — a worn starter component can let metallic debris build up and trigger a thermal event, according to BizzyCar’s recall summary. It’s BMW’s latest starter-related campaign this year, covering 318,495 vehicles.
FAQ: This Week’s Auto & Motorcycle Recalls
What is the biggest recall this week?
Chrysler’s rearview camera recall, covering more than 844,000 Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and Dodge vehicles from the 2026 and 2027 model years. The camera image can fail to display, which raises the risk of backing into a person or object you can’t see.
Which recalls this week involve a fire risk?
The Lucid Air recall (26V540) carries a park-outside advisory over an overheating lighting circuit, and the Rossmonster motorcoach recall (26V538) covers an overheating fan circuit board. Several older but still-open campaigns also involve fire risk, including the Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator power steering wiring defect, the Ford Bronco wiring harness recall, the BMW starter recall, the Kia Telluride seat switch recall, and a separate Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator battery junction box recall.
Is my Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, or Dodge included in the camera recall?
It covers most 2026 Jeep and Ram models, the 2026 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid and Voyager, and the 2026–2027 Chrysler Pacifica and Dodge Charger. Check your VIN on NHTSA’s site to confirm, since not every trim or build date is affected.
Should I stop driving my BMW X3 or 2026 Ford Explorer?
Not automatically. Both recalls involve very small populations — 13 X3s and 17 Explorers nationwide — and BMW and Ford will contact affected owners directly. If you notice steering looseness in the X3 or engine knocking and power loss in the Explorer, stop driving and call your dealer immediately rather than waiting for a letter.
Are recall repairs really free?
Yes. Federal law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to the owner, including parts, labor, and in most cases a loaner or rental if the fix takes more than a day.
Were there any motorcycle recalls filed this week?
No new campaigns were filed this week. Riders on a 2024–2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R should still treat the existing “do not ride” advisory as active — Kawasaki has not yet released a fix.
Can I still bring a claim if the recall came out after my crash?
Often, yes. A recall filing, called a Part 573 report, documents what the manufacturer knew and when. If your crash happened before the recall was announced, that filing can become evidence that the defect existed and the manufacturer was — or should have been — aware of it.
What if I bought my car used and never got a recall notice?
Recall notices follow the vehicle’s title, not the original owner, but manufacturers don’t always have your current mailing address. Check your VIN directly on NHTSA’s site rather than waiting on mail that may never arrive.
How to Check If Your Vehicle Has an Open Recall
- Go to NHTSA’s recall search and enter your 17-character VIN — it’s free, instant, and pulls directly from manufacturer filings.
- Call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
- Use the SaferCar mobile app to check your vehicle and sign up for future recall alerts.
- Call your dealer directly with your VIN — they can check and schedule the repair in the same call.
Don’t stop at checking — follow through. NHTSA’s own data shows a large share of vehicles with open recalls never get repaired, often because owners check once and never book the appointment.
What If a Defective Vehicle Caused Your Accident?
A recall letter arriving after your crash doesn’t mean you’re out of options. When a manufacturer knew — or should have known — about a defect before it hurt you, that’s not just a mechanical problem. It’s evidence. Insurance companies will still try to pin a defect-caused crash on driver error, because that’s cheaper for them than acknowledging a manufacturer’s design or production failure. You don’t have to take their word for it, and you don’t have to fight that battle alone.
If a rearview camera, a steering part, a seat belt, or any other defective component contributed to your crash in Nevada or California, Sam & Ash Injury Law will dig into the recall history, the complaint data, and the manufacturer’s own filings to build your case. Consultations are free, available 24/7, and you owe nothing unless we win. Call Nevada at 702-857-6566, California at 949-694-3120, or our general line at 1-877-658-9951. The first conversation is free, and so is the honesty. Stay safe out there, and check your VIN before you check anything else.
We post updated recall blogs weekly. Sources: the official NHTSA detailed recall summary of August 24, 2026; NHTSA’s recall lookup and Motorcycle Safety pages; NHTSA’s April 2026 Report to Congress on Improving Vehicle Safety Recall Completion Rates; the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s road debris research; Toyota’s USA Newsroom; Trucks, Parts, Service; autoevolution; Autoblog; Carscoops; CarBuzz; Motor1; BMWBLOG; Kelley Blue Book; Cars.com; GM Authority; Consumer Reports; WardsAuto; MoparInsiders; BizzyCar’s Q2 2026 Recall Report; and AutoInsurance.com’s analysis of NHTSA recall data. Always verify your specific vehicle’s recall status at NHTSA.gov/recalls. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
