Summary
- Recall Surge: Every year millions of American car owners are impacted by recalls. In 2024 alone over 21 million vehicles were recalled.
- GM Recall: 500,000+ GM trucks and SUVs (2020-2022) with a faulty transmission control valve were recalled. Fix is to install new software to monitor transmission issues.
- Volkswagen Recall: 260,000+ Volkswagen and Audi vehicles (2015-2020) were recalled due to a defective suction pump in the fuel tank which can cause fire. Fix is to replace the suction jet pump with an upgraded new one.
- RAM/Jeep Ecodiesel Recall: FCA recalls 114,000+ vehicles (2014-2022) with 3.0L diesel engines due to faulty crankshaft position sensor tone wheels. Fix is to replace the tone wheel to prevent engine stalling.
- How To Know if You’re Affected By A Recall: Use your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check the recall status on the NHTSA website. Take your car to the dealership for a free repair if you’re affected.
Introduction
As modern auto technology gets more complex, vehicle recalls become inevitable. In 2024 alone, over 21 million vehicles were recalled for defects in old and new models.
I often get asked about car defects, thanks to my passion for automobiles. Just the other day, a friend who owns a pool deck resurfacing business called me in a panic after his Ford Ranger was recalled. Then, that got me thinking: why not break it all down on my blog?
So, I created this post on major diesel recalls in 2024 for affected GM, Volkswagen, & RAM Ecodiesel models. Plus, I’ll give you extra details on how to check if your vehicle is affected and what to do next.
General Motor Recalls
In 2024 GM recalled about 500k full size trucks and SUVs with diesel engines.
The recall affected mostly 2020-2022 models and is due to a transmission control valve that causes the rear wheels to lock up.
A GM engineer reported the issue in June 2024 after an incident with a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 pulling a trailer.
Problem
The recall was caused by transmission control valve issues on diesel full size trucks and SUVs.
According to documents in its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) filing, a defective control valve can fail, lead to harsh shifting, and cause the rear wheels to momentarily lock up. This increases the risk of a crash.
According to the NHTSA filing documents, a defective control valve can fail, cause harsh shifting and later cause the rear wheels to lock up. This increases the risk of a crash.
There were 1,888 reports of wheel lock ups and vehicle damage by the end of September.
Affected Models
The GM recall affects 461,839 vehicle models with diesel powertrains from 2020-2022.
They include:
- Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500HD, 3500HD (2020 – 2022)
- GMC Sierra 1500, 2500HD, and 3500HD
- All full size SUVs from the 2021 model (Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV with the Duramax 3.0L inline-six.)
Fix
GM has said the fix is not a valve replacement but a software update to the transmission control module.
The new software will monitor for excessive valve wear and harsh shifting.
All affected owners must bring their vehicle to the dealer for software installation.
Dealers have been notified and affected customers will be notified by mail by December 9, 2024.
Volkswagen Recalls
In February 2024, Volkswagen Group recalled over 260,000 vehicles due to a faulty suction pump in the fuel tank assembly.
The issue was discovered after complaints of fuel leaks and an investigation by US safety regulators.
Problem
This issue affects front-wheel-drive Volkswagen and Audi vehicle models with a Gentherm-made suction jet pump.
When the suction pump seal in the fuel tank wears out, it can leak fuel. This poses a big fire risk especially if there’s an ignition source.
According to their NHTSA filing, there have been 1,410 warranty claims on this issue.
Affected Models
The VW 2024 Fuel Pump Recall affects several front-wheel-drive Volkswagen and Audi models from 2015 to 2020.
They include:
- Audi A3 sedan (2015 – 2020)
- Audi A3 convertible (2015 – 2020)
- Volkswagen Jetta GLI sedan (2019 – 2020)
- Volkswagen Golf SportWagen station wagon (2015 – 2019)
- Volkswagen Golf and GTI hatchbacks (2015 – 2020)
Fix
Volkswagen and Audi dealerships will replace the faulty suction jet pump with an upgraded one at no cost to you.
Vehicles that were recalled for a similar issue in 2016 will need the same fix. If you notice fuel leakage, premature pump shutdown, or fuel smell, take immediate action now.
You can also contact Volkswagen at 800-893-5298 and Audi at 800-253-2834 for help.
Ecodiesel Recalls
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced a recall on June 20, 2023 for over 114,000 vehicles.
The recall affects Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models with 3L diesel engines and crankshaft position sensor tone wheels.
The 2024 Ecodiesel recall is not the first of its kind. In 2020, FCA also recalled over 58,000 SUVs and trucks with 3.0L diesel engines with similar sensor issue.
Problem
The sensor issue was found on Jeep and Ram vehicle models fitted with crankshaft sensor tone wheels that can delaminate.
It causes loss of synchronization between fuel injector pulses and camshaft timing. Thus allows the affected engines to stall. If this stalling occurs while driving, it could cause a crash.
In their NHTSA filing, FCA reported 1,020 warranty claims for this issue.
Affected Models
The vehicles involved in this recall (and the previous one) include:
- Ram 1500 (2014-2019)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee with 3.0L diesel engines (2014 – 2020)
- Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 (2020 – 2022)
- Jeep Gladiator with 3.0L diesel engines (2021-2022)
Fix
FCA’s fix is to replace the sensor tone wheel so the engine works properly.
Affected vehicle owners have been mailed to schedule an appointment with their diesel auto-mechanic or dealer. Dealers have been told to repair all vehicles brought in for service and those in inve inventory.
For any questions or help, contact FCA’s customer service reps.
Why Do Major Auto Manufacturers Get Away With Defects?
Major manufacturers in the automobile industry sometimes avoid addressing defects in their cars due to various factors.
Some key reasons include:
Regulatory Loopholes
While the NHTSA exists, their regulations can be vague, have loopholes or not be sufficient to cover the complexities of modern vehicles.
Auto manufacturers exploit these legal loopholes to not issue recalls for certain issues.
Gaps in Investigation Systems and Procedures
According to a US Department of Transportation audit report, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) doesn’t have an integrated system to track safety defect investigations and recalls.
And they failed to upload investigation documentation to their website and don’t follow their own procedures for issue escalation. These gaps in the process let many automakers get away.
What Needs To Change?
Here are the changes to hold auto brands accountable:
Tighter Regulations
Regulatory bodies need to test and implement quality control measures before vehicles are released.
There should be penalties for manufacturers for not fixing defects and acting fast.
Improvement in NHTSA’s Process
NHTSA’s ODI should have an integrated system to track safety defect investigations and recalls.
This would help the agency to enforce safety standards and fix defects transparently.
Better Accountability
When a recall happens, auto brands should pay for the full cost of fixing defects. That includes indirect costs like transportation and lost time for affected consumers.
Consumer Education
Vehicle owners need to be educated about auto recalls, safety history and risks of certain models especially when buying used vehicles.
Some auto brands you should watch out for based on their history with recalls include:
| Auto Brand | Recall History |
|---|---|
| General Motors (GM) | They have had many high profile recalls, including the 2014 ignition switch recall. Their recall history should be a concern if you’re looking to buy a Chevy or GMC. |
| Volkswagen | Volkswagen’s reputation has taken a hit over the years due to many defects and scandals. In 2023, VW filed 18 total recalls affecting over 330k vehicles. |
| Ford | Ford has filed recalls for transmission or suspension problems in their trucks and SUVs. While their vehicles are known to be durable, their frequent recalls for safety related defects are a concern. |
| Chrysler (Stellantis) | Chrysler has quality control issues in some vehicle models and filed recalls for faulty electrical systems, airbags, and fuel systems. The company had 45 recalls affecting over 2M vehicles in 2023. |
| Chrysler has quality control issues in some vehicle models and filed recalls for faulty electrical systems, airbags, and fuel systems. The company had 45 recalls affecting over 2M vehicles in 2023. | |
| Tesla | Filing 13 car recalls in 2023, the electric auto maker sometimes have defects affecting thousands of vehicles. If you’re purchasing a Tesla soon, look up their recall history to avoid buying an affected model. |
How to know if you’re experiencing a recall & what to do (How to get your money back)
If your vehicle is being recalled, you’ll get a recall notice in the mail. If not, you can search by your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the NHTSA online portal.
The notice will tell you what’s wrong with your vehicle, what the fix is and where to take it to get it fixed.
You have the right to a free recall fix under federal law. The dealership can’t make you pay for any recall repairs done on your vehicle.
But while the recall fix is free, you don’t get to decide what form it takes. The law allows the manufacturer to decide.
So it’s very rare to get a refund for the vehicle. If there’s no fix (which is rare) the manufacturer may offer you a new vehicle.
