Automakers recall vehicles for fire risk, loose seats and faulty lights

Automakers have issued a series of safety recalls for vehicles in Canada, citing risks of fire, loss of steering control and other hazards. The recalls, reported by Transport Canada between Oct. 26 and Oct. 30, affect models from Stellantis, BMW, Audi, General Motors, Hyundai and Ford. Owners will be notified by mail and advised to take their vehicles to dealerships for repairs.

Stellantis recalled the 2026 Dodge Durango because a connector on the taillamps could be damaged. The recall, last updated Oct. 30, said this could cause the stop lamps, reverse lamps or rear turn signals to not work. "Stop lamps, reverse lamps and/or turn signals that don’t work could cause a person not to recognize that a vehicle ahead is braking, backing up or intends to turn or change lanes," the recall said. It added that taillamps that don't work could make the vehicle less visible and increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace the taillamps if necessary.

BMW issued a recall affecting 24 cars in Canada that were repaired under a previous recall. The engine starter may not have been manufactured properly, which could cause the positive battery cable to become loose and create electrical arcing. "Electrical arcing could create the risk of a fire," the recall, last updated Oct. 28, said. BMW advises owners not to use the remote start function and not to leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running until repairs are done. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine starter.

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Volkswagen recalled the 2024 and 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron, including the Sportback and SUV body styles, because the high-voltage battery could overheat. "A battery that overheats can create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off," the recall, last updated Oct. 28, said. Audi advises owners to set the maximum charge setting at 80 per cent until recall repairs, which are still under development, are available.

General Motors issued a recall for two of its SUVs because the driver or front passenger seat may not have been manufactured properly. The seatback could move or detach in a crash. "A seatback that moves or detaches could increase the risk of injury in a crash," the recall, last updated Oct. 28, said. GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the seatback frame.

Hyundai recalled three 2026 Elantra vehicles because the bolts that attach the front struts to the steering knuckles may not have been tightened properly. This could cause the bolts to loosen or separate, leading to a change in vehicle stability or a loss of steering control. "A loss of steering could create the risk of a crash. A change in vehicle stability could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash," the recall, last updated Oct. 26, said. Dealers will inspect and tighten or replace the bolts and perform a wheel alignment if needed.

Ford issued three separate recalls. One affects multiple pickup truck models because the left-side tailgate cable may fail under load, causing the tailgate to drop suddenly. "A tailgate that drops suddenly could increase the risk of injury," the recall, last updated Oct. 28, said. Dealers will replace the cable.

A second recall is for the 2025 to 2027 Lincoln Navigator. A problem with the rear audio control module could cause the front passenger seat to move unexpectedly or continue moving even if there's an obstruction. "A seat that doesn’t stop moving could increase the risk of injury," the recall, last updated Oct. 28, said. Dealers will update software to disable the chauffeur mode function.

The third Ford recall is for a pair of Lincoln SUVs. A problem in the integrated parking module could cause the transmission to shift into neutral unexpectedly, leading to a sudden loss of power to the wheels. "A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash," the recall, last updated Oct. 26, said. Dealers will replace the integrated parking module.

With files from Inside Halton