Vehicle Safety Alert: Major recalls issued by BMW, VW, Kia, and bus manufacturers

INDIANA — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced several major safety recalls affecting various manufacturers and models, including luxury brands, consumer vehicles, and school buses. The defects range from a fire risk in wiring harnesses and batteries to failing windshield wipers and unintentionally engaging parking brakes.

The NHTSA urges vehicle owners to address these safety defects immediately, as they could lead to serious injury or death if left unrepaired. A dealer must perform all repairs for safety defects at no cost to the owner.

Passenger Vehicle Recalls

ManufacturerModel(s)Model YearsSubject of RecallNHTSA ID
Kia America, Inc.SORENTO2021-2023Fire Risk from Quick-Charging Battery25V649
Nissan North America, Inc.LEAF2021-2022Fire Risk from Quick-Charging Battery25V655
BMW of North America, LLC430I, M42026Improperly Connected Battery Cables25V643
BMW of North America, LLC340I, 740LI, 840I, X5, X6, X72019-2025Starter Motor May Fail and Overheat25V644
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.AUDI A5, A6, Q4, S5, S6, VW GOLF R, GTI2025-2026Damaged Seat Belt Retractor25V638
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingTACOMA, TACOMA HYBRID2025Driveshaft May Deform and Break25V656
Volvo Car USA, LLCEX902025Power-Operated Tailgate May Drop Suddenly25V654
General Motors, LLCCHEVROLET EQUINOX EV2024Insufficient Pedestrian Warning Sound (FMVSS 141)25V639

Bus and Commercial Vehicle Recalls

Several school and commercial bus models are affected by safety issues related to critical functions, such as braking and visibility.

ManufacturerModel(s)Model YearsSubject of RecallNHTSA ID
Blue Bird Body CompanyVISION2021-2026Parking Brake May Unintentionally Engage25V635
IC BusCESB2026Windshield Wipers May Fail25V640
IC BusCECB2026Windshield Wipers May Fail25V641
IC BusCESB2024-2026Parking Brake May Unintentionally Activate25V646
IC BusCECB2025-2026Parking Brake May Unintentionally Activate25V647
Altec Industries, Inc.AA, AM, AN SERIES AERIAL DEVICE2021-2025Exhaust May Overheat Outrigger Pad25V650
Altec Industries, Inc.A CLASS2024-2025Platform Retaining Plate Bolts may be Improperly Tightened25V651
Thor Motor CoachINDIGO, LUMINATE2024-2025LP Tank May Detach and Become a Road Hazard25V653

What Owners Should Do

If you believe your vehicle is included in one of these recalls, it is essential to have it repaired as soon as possible. You should receive a notification letter from the manufacturer detailing the remedy and its availability.

To check if your specific vehicle is included, you can use the NHTSA’s VIN Lookup Tool or contact the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.