GM, Hyundai and Ford Recall 129,619 Vehicles Over Brake, Airbag Flaws

General Motors, Hyundai and Ford have filed four safety recalls covering 129,619 vehicles in the US. The defects can briefly cut braking, switch off airbags, cause a loss of steering control or drop some Lincoln hybrids into Neutral while driving, according to the companies’ filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported by Yahoo.

The filings were made between Oct. 20 and Nov. 2. One of them sends thousands of GM vans back to dealers for a second steering check after an earlier recall missed some parts.

GM electric SUVs: brake software can pause braking

The biggest recall covers 67,380 vehicles: some 2023-2027 Cadillac Lyriq, 2024-2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac Celestiq and 2026-2027 Cadillac Vistiq models. For the Lyriq and Blazer EV, only certain performance all-wheel-drive versions are included.

GM said its brake-control software can briefly stop braking at low speed after a specific sequence. The driver brakes lightly in a sharp turn while going over a bump or dip, lets off the pedal for a moment and then presses it again. Braking works normally on the next press.

GM has 24 field complaints that may be related, including 20 minor crashes; two of those involved claims of minor injuries. The fix is a software update, delivered over the air to eligible vehicles or installed at a dealership. Owner notices start Dec. 14. The NHTSA recall number is 26V717.

Hyundai Kona Electric and Veloster N: airbags can shut off

Hyundai is recalling 37,901 vehicles over airbag software: 29,058 Kona Electric models from 2019-2023 and 8,843 Veloster N models from 2019-2022.

If the car reboots or loses power while the airbag control unit is saving data, the unit’s memory can be corrupted. The airbag warning light then comes on, the airbag system is disabled, and the airbags may not deploy in a crash.

Hyundai counted 331 separate US incidents claiming this problem. As of its Oct. 22 recall decision, it knew of no related US crashes, fires or injuries. Dealers will update the software for free. VIN lookup for this recall opens Nov. 6, and owner letters are planned for Jan. 1, 2027. The recall numbers are 26V728 and Hyundai 311.

Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana: second steering inspection

GM said an earlier steering recall left out 108 suspect steering-gear serial numbers. The new recall covers 12,715 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans from model years 2025-2026.

A nut that was not tightened properly can come loose from the steering assembly and cause a loss of steering control. Warning signs include steering that feels less precise or a steering wheel that sits off center when driving straight.

Dealers will check vans against the longer list of suspect serial numbers and replace any matching steering assemblies. Vans that passed the earlier inspection, or that have no recorded steering-gear serial number, are included. GM reported no crashes or injuries tied to the problem. Owner notices begin Dec. 14, under recall number 26V718.

Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair hybrids: unexpected shift to Neutral

Ford said anti-rust oil inside a parking module can break down the protective coating on a circuit board. That can make the vehicle shift into Neutral while moving or keep it from shifting out of Park.

The recall covers 11,560 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid vehicles from model years 2026-2027 and 63 Corsair Hybrid vehicles from 2027. Ford reported no accidents, fires or injuries linked to the defect. Dealers will install a revised module with updated software at no cost. Interim owner letters were scheduled for Nov. 2-6, and the recall numbers are 26V688 and Ford 26S75.

What this means for owners

The brake, airbag and steering problems all affect basic crash protection or control, and the GM brake issue has already been tied to minor crashes in complaints. Owners of the listed models can enter their VIN or license plate at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle is included. A matching model year does not by itself mean a car is part of the recall.

New recalls can take time to show up in the lookup, so NHTSA suggests checking again if a VIN does not appear at first. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Source: YAHOO!