Manufacturer recalls for February 2021

The Takata inflator-related recall makes a comeback in the second month of 2021, while Tesla finds itself in yet another recall. Here is the list of all global recalls for February 2021. 

Mercedes Benz is now recalling 1.29 million vehicles including 2016-2021 model year CLA-Class, GLA-Class, GLE-Class, GLS-Class, SLC-Class, A-Class, GT-Class, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, SL-Class, B-Class, GLB-Class, GLC-Class and G-Class vehicles. The vehicles are found to have a software glitch that causes the vehicle to send incorrect location info in the event of a crash. An over-the-air software update will be issued to fix this problem. Mercedes Benz assures that “other functions of the automatic and manual emergency call function remain fully operational.”

Jeep has issued a recall for their 2017-2021 Wrangler and 2019-2021 Gladiator models fitted with a six-speed manual transmission. About 42,887 examples are affected by an issue with the clutch plate that can cause it to overheat and fracture. As per NHTSA, Jeep has identified one accident with no injuries that were caused by this issue. The clutch kit in these vehicles will be replaced free of cost.

Another Tesla recall surfaces in consecutive months. Around 12,300 Model X crossovers are found to have body molding issues, as identified by the German motor vehicle authority (KBA). The models affected were manufactured from 2015-2016 and some trim piece on these vehicles can fall off. Tesla will fix the issue for the affected customers.

Takata inflator-related recalls make yet another dramatic entrance to this list with more than 6 million GM trucks and SUVs under the radar. These vehicles range from the model years 2007 to 2014 and include brands like the Silverado, Silverado HD, Avalanche, Suburban, and Tahoe from Chevy and Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra, and Sierra HD from GMC. Cadillac is also affected, with their Escalade from the same model years included in the recall. GM Authority reports that letters will be sent out to the customers from March 1, 2021.

That is not the only show from the Takata inflators. News from Ford shows that they have lost track of 45 Takata inflators hence they are initiating a recall of more than 154,000 vehicles to find and replace them. It is a needle in a haystack scenario but this is necessary to avoid any further accidents or injuries.

Another recall from Ford involves 87,350 2020-21 F-Series trucks. These trucks include 2021 Ford F-150s and 2020-2021 Ford Super Duty trucks and these may have poorly bonded windshields. According to Ford, no accidents or injuries caused by this issue are reported. Dealers will reinstall the windshields of the affected vehicles.

In a colossal recall costing $900 million, Hyundai plans to replace battery packs of their Kona EVs – all 82,000 of them. These vehicles have been recalled last year for updating their software after some of them caught fire. South Korean authorities launched a probe into this fix to gauge its effectiveness after a recalled Kona caught fire again in January. The batteries are manufactured by LG Energy Solution who quickly deflected criticism, accusing Hyundai of misapplying LG’s suggestions for fast charging logic in the battery management system software. Still, South Korea’s transport ministry found defects in some battery cells made at LG Energy’s China facility. The fix for the issue is not out yet, as Hyundai waits for the results from the probe.

Cooper Tyres are recalling more than 430,000 truck and SUV tyres as they are found to develop sidewall bulges. The recall spans over their Courser, Discoverer, Adventurer, Back Country, Hercules, Evolution, Wild Country, and Big O tyre ranges. The owners of these tyres will get their tyres replaced free of cost.

And that puts an end to the long list of recalls from February 2021. Contact your local dealer if your car appears on this list, although be aware that not all recalls apply to GCC-spec vehicles.