Tag Archives: Recall

News

Jeep’s Hot-Selling 4xe Hybrids Hit with Third Recall in a Month—And This One Might Be the Worst Yet

Jeep’s 4xe lineup has been the poster child for mainstream plug-in success. The Wrangler 4xe didn’t just outsell every other PHEV in America—it did so for two years straight, accounting for a full quarter of Wrangler deliveries. But the same models that helped define Stellantis’s electrified future are now becoming its biggest headache.

And this latest recall?
It’s a doozy.

Engines Built With… Sand?

Jeep has issued another callback—its third hybrid-related recall in under a month—this time targeting 76,019 Wrangler 4xe models (MY 2024–25) and 36,840 Grand Cherokee 4xe models (MY 2023–25).

The culprit:
Sand contamination inside the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines sourced from Mexico. Yes, actual casting-process sand—exactly the stuff you don’t want circulating through a modern turbocharged powerplant.

If those abrasive particles wind up in critical areas, the result can be catastrophic:

  • Engine damage
  • Loss of power
  • Potential loss of control
  • Risk of fire

And for anyone thinking this is purely a hybrid issue—Jeep says only the 4xe variants are affected, even though non-hybrid 2.0-liter Wranglers were built during the same timeframe.

Not Just a “What If” Problem

Jeep isn’t recalling these SUVs based on hypotheticals. By late October, the company had already logged:

  • 36 customer assistance cases
  • 144 warranty claims
  • 36 fires
  • 50 loss-of-propulsion incidents
  • 50 additional related field reports
  • Three reported injuries

That’s not a trend line—it’s a flashing red light.

Jeep says owner notifications will begin December 29, though the brand still doesn’t have a finalized fix. And depending on what engineers uncover, the solution could be massive. Toyota recently had to replace thousands of engines after machining debris was discovered in its V6 production line; Jeep could be staring down a similarly costly remedy.

A Triple Hit to 4xe Confidence

This latest engine contamination recall lands on top of two other high-profile 4xe issues announced over the past several weeks:

1. Fire Risk: Park Outside

Just weeks ago, Jeep urged over 320,000 Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe owners to park outside and away from buildings due to hybrid battery packs that can spontaneously ignite—an advisory that instantly put the brand on the defensive.

2. OTA Update Gone Wrong

Before that, nearly 25,000 Wrangler 4xe models were recalled after a faulty over-the-air update wreaked havoc on their hybrid systems, causing some SUVs to lose drive entirely.

Three major recalls in under a month would be a PR nightmare for any company, but for Jeep—whose electrification strategy is heavily staked on 4xe branding—it’s an existential challenge.

Jeep’s Electrified Future: Still on the Trail, but Stumbling

The Wrangler 4xe’s popularity once made it a symbol of the modern off-roader—silent when you wanted stealth, torquey when you needed grunt, and just electrified enough to feel future-proof. Now it risks becoming the face of reliability anxiety.

Jeep says it’s working urgently on a solution. Owners, meanwhile, are left waiting—with many likely wondering whether “4xe” still means progress or just more problems.

One thing’s clear:
Electrification hasn’t killed the Jeep trail.
But right now, the ride is rockier than ever.

Source: Jeep

News

Toyota Says “Oops, Again”: Over a Million Cars with Frozen Screens

If you thought last month’s Toyota recall was a one-off, think again. The Japanese giant is back at it—this time recalling over a million vehicles across Toyota, Lexus, and even Subaru models due to a potentially hazardous glitch in the rear-view camera system.

Yes, that’s right: the very tech designed to make reversing safer could now leave drivers staring at a frozen screen—or worse, nothing at all. And while it might sound like a minor digital hiccup, the consequences are anything but trivial. Back-up cameras have been federally mandated since 2018, and if the screen freezes, it could give drivers a false sense of security when backing out of a tight driveway or parking space.

Déjà Vu All Over Again

Here’s the kicker: less than a month ago, Toyota recalled 394,000 Tundras, Tacomas, and Sequoias for a similar camera malfunction. That earlier issue, linked to Panasonic components, would cause the screen to split into green-and-black nonsense—annoying, yes, but easily spotted.

This new recall, however, is a different beast. It involves a Denso-supplied system across multiple brands and dozens of models, from the Camry and Crown to the Lexus RX and even Subaru’s Solterra. Unlike last time, the fault can occur if reverse is engaged shortly after ignition, freezing the image instead of just displaying an obvious error. And unlike some software issues today, there’s no over-the-air fix: all affected vehicles must visit a dealer for a software update to the Parking Assist ECU.

The Affected Line-Up

The list is long enough to make your eyes glaze over, but here are some of the highlights:

  • Toyota: Camry, Crown, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Highlander, Prius, Sienna, Mirai, and the bZ4X.
  • Lexus: RX, NX, LX, LC, LS, ES, GX, TX, and RZ.
  • Subaru: Solterra.

In total, 1,024,407 vehicles worldwide are affected. Solterra owners, naturally, will get their updates handled by Subaru dealers rather than Toyota.

The Fix

Fortunately, no new hardware is required. A simple software update will recalibrate the system—but as mentioned, this can’t be done remotely. Drivers will need to make the time to pop into their local dealership and let the technicians do their thing.

While Toyota insists the fix is straightforward, the frequency and scale of these rear-view camera recalls might make some owners question the reliability of what is essentially one of the most crucial safety aids in modern motoring.

One million vehicles, three brands, dozens of models, and a software bug that could freeze your view of the world behind you. Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru owners—your next reverse might need a bit more caution. At least it’s not the brakes… yet.

Full list of affected vehicles is available at the end of the article.

Source: Automotive News

News

Ford Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles for Defective Rearview Cameras

If you drive an older Ford and your rearview camera’s been acting more abstract than useful—say, resembling a Picasso painting instead of the road behind you—there’s a reason. Ford’s recall saga rolls on, this time pulling in nearly 1.5 million vehicles whose backup cameras might show distorted images or simply refuse to work at all.

Not ideal when you’re trying not to reverse into the neighbour’s recycling bin.

The Recall Roll Call

The hit list reads like a time capsule of Ford’s lineup from the mid-2010s. The 2015–2016 C-Max, Escape, and Explorer are on the roster, joined by the 2019 Fiesta, 2015–2019 Flex, 2016 Fusion, and even the 2020 Mustang—because apparently, even muscle cars aren’t immune to a dodgy camera feed. The Taurus, Lincoln MKT, and MKZ round out the cast of concerned vehicles.

If you’ve been squinting at a fuzzy feed or seeing nothing at all, you’re not alone. Ford began sniffing around the issue back in February 2025, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) poked the Blue Oval with a polite-but-firm “Oi, something’s off.” The feds had received owner complaints across several model years, all pointing toward the same glitchy rearview problem.

Ford’s Investigation: The Long Rearview Look

Ford dug into the data—supplier records, warranty logs, customer complaints—and came back with the corporate equivalent of a shrug. The automaker said it was “unable to identify a defect related to motor vehicle safety across all vehicle populations equipped with this analog camera.”

Translation: “We can’t quite pin it down, but let’s play it safe.”

And play it safe they did. The recall is part of a broader agreement with the NHTSA, covering Ford’s rearview camera systems from 2015 to 2025. Vehicles are being split into two camps: those getting a formal recall and those receiving a 15-year extended warranty on the camera system. So whether your Ford’s getting a new lens or just a long-term promise, it’s at least something.

The Numbers Game

Ford’s recall report mentions a rather eye-watering 12,487 warranty claims linked to the issue—stretching all the way back to the first complaint in July 2014. The company also acknowledged five accidents possibly tied to faulty cameras, though thankfully no injuries have been reported.

The automaker’s already started mailing out “interim remedy” letters, essentially saying: “We’re on it, hang tight.” Owners will need to bring their cars into Ford service centers for inspection and—if needed—a camera swap. A proper fix, Ford says, should arrive by mid-2026.

Another Hiccup in the Mirror

It’s been a rough few years for Ford on the recall front, with millions of vehicles affected by various gremlins ranging from brake hoses to batteries. This latest one might not sound catastrophic, but in an era where cars rely more on cameras and sensors than actual visibility, a blank screen can be more than a minor annoyance.

Still, Ford’s transparency here (and willingness to play ball with regulators) shows lessons learned from past recall fiascos. And at least this one’s not catching fire or falling apart—it’s just a bit camera shy.

So, if your Ford’s reversing camera suddenly goes on artistic leave, don’t panic. Check your VIN, call your dealer, and maybe keep practicing those old-school shoulder checks. Looks like the analog age isn’t quite done haunting us yet.

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration