The German car manufacturers Volkswagen and BMW have been ordered to recall hundreds of thousands of cars in the United States due to separate safety issues. The recalls highlight the importance of addressing potential risks promptly to ensure driver safety.
Volkswagen is recalling more than 261,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to issues with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified this problem, which could increase the risk of fire. The affected vehicles include certain front-wheel drive models:
2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan.
Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 14 (June 3 – Sept 2, 2024) begins registrations; get massive discounts with early registration here.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and invest in Africa’s finest startups here.
2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
2018 Golf SportWagen and others.
Dealers will replace the suction pump on these vehicles free of charge, ensuring that drivers can continue to operate their cars safely.
BMW is also facing a recall affecting 79,670 cars in the U.S. The issue lies with the brake system, which could lead to an increased braking distance. Additionally, the ABS (anti-lock braking system) and DSC (dynamic stability control) may not function correctly. To address this, workshops will rectify the problem at no cost to BMW owners.
Both Volkswagen and BMW recognize that safety is paramount. By promptly addressing these issues, they demonstrate their commitment to ensuring their customers’ well-being. The U.S. market is crucial for German car manufacturers, with strong sales figures for both brands last year:
The Volkswagen Group delivered around 993,100 vehicles in North America—an impressive increase of almost 18%. BMW sold 395,741 cars in the USA, representing a 9% growth compared to the previous year.
BMW Issues 79,670-Car Recall over Potential for Brake Malfunction
BMW has initiated a recall covering nearly 80,000 vehicles from the 2023 and 2024 model years. The recall involves a defect in the ABS and stability control systems that could cause power braking assistance to fail, potentially leading to the driver losing control of the vehicle.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the BMWs’ integrated brake system “may not function according to specifications.” This could result in extended braking distance or potential loss of vehicle control, increasing the possibility of a crash.
However, even in the event of a malfunction, mechanical braking and the emergency brake remain unaffected by the issue. The emergency brake would automatically activate if there were a loss of braking performance.
BMW has assured that drivers will be alerted through a warning light or message in the instrument cluster if there is a problem with the braking system. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 5, 2024, and affected vehicle owners can bring their cars to their BMW or Rolls-Royce dealer for free replacement of the integrated braking system.