Major car brands issue urgent recall of 1M vehicles over fire risks and crash fears – Ford, VW & more

Drivers are being warned of fresh vehicle recalls that could see popular models impacted by serious issues, potentially causing fires and accidents.

Some of the most popular car brands, including Ford, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, have issued recalls for more than one million vehicles in the United States.

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GB News has rounded up the most important car recalls issued over recent weeks that motorists need to know about.

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Ford

The Blue Oval has filed several vehicle recall notices in the United States in recent weeks, with two of the latest impacting 645,000 cars.

Documents from the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that 565,691 Bronco and Bronco Raptor (2021-2026) may have issues.

It outlines that the engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short-circuit, potentially creating heat and increasing the risk of a fire.

Ford has also provided a remedy for the issue, with dealers set to install sheathing over the wiring for free.

The second recall notice impacts just under 80,000 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator models from production years 2026 and 2027.

Reports state that an unoccupied driver’s seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.

The US highways safety administration warned that this could trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of an injury.

However, unlike the other recall, Ford has yet to develop a remedy, with an owner notification schedule not yet provided to the NHTSA.

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Mercedes-Benz

The US division of the iconic German brand is recalling 310,000 vehicles amid fears that a door switch failure could lead to the car rolling away.

Recall notices state that the micro-switch in the driver’s door lock may corrode and fail to detect an open door.

This could prevent the electronic parking brake or “Auto-Park” feature from engaging automatically, and may result in a vehicle rollaway.

The recall will impact:

• Mercedes-Benz A 220 (2019-2022)
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 (2020-2021)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG A35 (2020-2021)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35 (2020-2021)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA45 (2020-2021)
• Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 (2020-2026)
• Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 (2021-2025)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA45 (2021-2023)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA35 (2021-2023)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35 (2021-2025)
• Mercedes-Benz C 300 (2022-2023)
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (2023-2024)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 35 (2024-2025)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 4MATIC (2023)
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC (2023-2024)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 4MATIC (2024)
• Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4MATIC (2021-2025)
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC COUPE (2024)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35 4MATIC (2026)
• Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC (2020-2026)
• Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC (2022-2023)
• Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC (2024)
• Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC (2024)
• Mercedes-Benz CLE 450 4MATIC CABRIOLET (2024)
• Mercedes-Benz CLE 300 4MATIC CABRIOLET (2024)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE53 4MATIC+ (2024)
• Mercedes-Benz A 220 4MATIC (2019-2022)
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 4MATIC (2020-2021)

Volkswagen

Almost 56,000 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles (2024-2026) are being recalled because they could experience a low-voltage electrical event that affects display screen functions.

If this were to occur, the rearview camera may fail to display an image, reducing the driver’s view behind the car and increasing the risk of an accident.

Volkswagen Group of America will mail owner notification letters by mid-September, informing them that dealers will update the rearview camera software.