Last week, NHTSA announced numerous recalls for passenger cars, including one to properly adjust the parking (emergency) brakes of the 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger and the 2023 Chrysler 300. Only around 2,000 vehicles are affected, globally, and since buyers tend to leave automatic transmissions in Park (and manual transmissions in first or reverse)—and since many never set the parking brake anyway—the practical effect may be small. That said, the parking brake is also the emergency brake; if hydraulic systems fail, the parking brake is a second mechanical system that should be able to (slowly) stop the car. Owners are advised to return to the dealer for recall #24V112.
The most serious recall goes to BMW, for power brake failure on a wide range of 2023-24 cars including the Rolls-Royce Spectre.
Ford had two recalls, one for the 2018-20 Expedition/Navigator with seat belts which may lock in place; and one for rear axle lubrication on the 2023-24 Transit. Volkswagen tried to match with a fuel leak from the tank in 2015-20 Golfs, GTIs, Jettas, and Audi A3s. Mercedes had failing 80-amp fuses across a large number of 2023-24 models covering most of its range, including AMGs; stalling on 2020-23 GLE and GLS models; and badly welded gas pedals on three 2024 models. Finally, Honda had incorrectly tightened steering boxes on the 2023-24 Odyssey and 2024 RDX.
