Between March 3 and March 9, 2025, recalls were issued for almost 260,000 vehicles across the United States. The affected brands include Ford, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Although the recalls are an inconvenience for drivers, it’s important to take vehicles in to have any issues resolved as soon as possible, as many faults come with safety risks.
The role of the NHTSA in the United States
The NHTSA is a federal agency under the auspices of the US Department of Transportation. Its mandate includes vehicle safety, the setting of road, traffic, and vehicle regulations, and the overseeing of manufacturer recalls.
There are two ways that recalls can be issued. The first is if the NHTSA picks up faults in the vehicles that they monitor, with a particular focus on defects that are related to safety. These issues are frequently reported by drivers, which the NHTSA takes action on. If the defect is legitimate, it then requires the brand to issue a recall and address the fault.
The second is when automakers issue their own recalls voluntarily. These faults still have to be reported to the NHTSA, which fulfills an oversight function in providing vehicle owners with information about the recalls and making sure the process is carried out satisfactorily.
New recalls issued at the beginning of March 2025, 4 top auto brands affected
There are four brands behind the recent recalls in March 2025, which all together affect almost 260,000 vehicles in the United States alone. It may come as no surprise that Ford has several models on the list as the proudly American brand has been the leader in recalls for the past few years, a position that none want to hold.
The other manufacturers that had to issue recalls via the NHTSA are German brands Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.
Below are the latest batches of recalls issued in early March.
Ford EcoSport
Ford’s first recall on this list is for 18,648 EcoSport crossovers manufactured between 2021 and 2022. the defect involves the front axle half shaft, which has the potential to disconnect from the transmission mid-drive. According to the NHTSA, this will result in a loss of drive power.
Dealers will inspect and replace the half shafts if necessary at no charge to the owner. Notification letters will start going out on April 7.
Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport
German auto powerhouse Volkswagen, or VW, has issued a recall of 177,493 units over a loose engine cover. The affected models are some Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models produced between 2024 and 2025. The defect only applies to cars that had the engine cover improperly installed when the vehicle was serviced.
The NHTSA says that if the loose cover comes into contact with the hot engine surface, it could cause a fire. The vehicles have to be taken in to a dealership where the engine cover fault will be rectified at no cost. Owner notification letters will go out from April 18.
Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator, which also falls under the Ford umbrella, has a LED logo lights defect potentially affecting 35,328 vehicles that need to be recalled. The lights have a risk of short-circuiting, which may lead to a fire. The recall applies to models from 2015 to 2017.
Dealers will be disconnecting the faulty wiring free of charge and owner notification letters will be dispatched from March 24.
Audi Q4 E-Tron, Q4 E-Tron Sportback, ID.4
Audi needs 13,769 owners to take their models in under recall over a potential failure of the on-board charger, which may stop charging the 12V battery. The NHTSA says the vehicle would then lose all drive power.
Affected models are certain 2024 to 2025 Q4 E-Tron SUVs, Q4 E-Tron Sportbacks, and a number of 2024 ID.4s. The whole charger will be replaced by dealers free of charge.
Mercedes-Benz AMG and GLC
Mercedes is recalling 2,943 vehicles over a software fault that affects the alternator. Six models are affected: 2023 to 2024 AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4-door coupe; 2025 AMG GLC 63 S E Performance; GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe; AMG GT 63 S E Performance; 2023-2025 AMG S 63 E Performance; and the 2024-2025 AMG SL 63 S E Performance.
The software issue with these hybrid powertrain models may cause the high-voltage starter alternator control unit to fail. Dealers will update the software at no cost and notification letters will start going out to owners on April 29.
Tesla also recently had software issues that had to be addressed by recall.
Various Ford and Lincolns re-recalled
Here’s Ford’s second batch of recalls, which are actually recalls on recalls for faults not properly fixed. There are 10,627 units that need to go for a second time. The fault involves software that could cause a towed trailer with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system to not brake.
These are the affected vehicles: 2021 to 2022 Ford F-150; 2022 Ford Maverick; 2022 Ford Expedition; 2022 Lincoln Navigator; 2022 F-250; 2022 F-350; 2022 F-450; and the 2022 F-550. Dealers will be updating the brake control software for free and owners will start being notified by letters from April 14.
Notable recalls in the US’s history
Here are three notable vehicle recalls in the United States that had serious consequences, including deaths:
- Takata airbag recall: This is the largest recall in history, affecting more than 67 million airbags. It was issued in 2008 and is still ongoing. The problem involves defective airbag inflators that could explode when deployed, with vehicle occupants being injured by shrapnel. Affected manufacturers included Ford, Toyota, Honda, and BMW, among more than 15 others.
- GM ignition switch recall: 2.6 million units were recalled in 2014 over faulty ignition switches that would suddenly shut the engine off, resulting in brakes, airbags, and power steering shutting down.
- Ford Pinto fuel tank recall: 1.5 million Ford Pintos and Mercury Bobcats were recalled over fuel tanks that were prone to rupturing in rear-end accidents, which had a high risk of resulting in fires.
If you drive any of the models mentioned in the list of recalls in March, you can visit the NHTSA’s website or contact the manufacturer or dealership directly for information on whether your vehicle is affected. Here’s more info on the latest Ford recalls on previous recalls, which have the brand’s execs feeling a bit red-faced.
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