Major Safety Recall: Ford, Volkswagen, and Mercedes Owners at Risk

When you purchase a new vehicle, you expect it to be reliable, safe, and free of serious defects. Unfortunately, many vehicle owners find themselves dealing with unexpected issues that put their safety at risk. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a major recall affecting nearly 260,000 vehicles, including Ford, Lincoln, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes models. These vehicles have been flagged for significant safety defects, ranging from brake failures and rollaway risks to fire hazards and sudden power loss.

For affected vehicle owners, this recall raises serious concerns. What if your car has one of these defects? What if the recall repair doesn’t actually fix the problem? Under California’s Lemon Law, you may have legal options if your car has repeated issues that the manufacturer fails to resolve.

At The Barry Law Firm, we focus exclusively on California Lemon Law cases, helping consumers hold automakers accountable when they sell defective vehicles. If you are experiencing repeated problems with your car, you don’t have to settle for endless repair attempts. You could be entitled to a full refund, vehicle replacement, or compensation for ongoing issues.

What Cars Are Affected by This Recall?

The NHTSA’s latest recall covers a wide range of vehicles with potentially dangerous defects. Below are the models impacted by this safety recall:

• 2021-2022 Ford EcoSport – A defective front axle shaft may disconnect from the transmission, causing a sudden loss of power.
• 2021-2022 Ford F-150, Maverick, Expedition, Super Duty, Lincoln Navigator – A software glitch may cause the trailer brake system to fail, making it difficult to stop when towing.
• 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator – A faulty LED logo light on the exterior mirrors may short-circuit due to water damage, increasing the risk of vehicle fires.
• 2024-2025 Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport – A loose engine cover may detach and come into contact with hot engine components, posing a fire hazard.
• 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4, 2022-2023 Audi Q4 E-Tron, Q4 E-Tron Sportback – A defective instrument cluster may fail to display the correct gear position, increasing the risk of rollaway accidents.
• 2023-2025 Mercedes AMG Hybrid Models – A software malfunction may disable the alternator, leading to battery drain and potential stalling while driving.

These defects pose serious safety risks for both drivers and passengers. While manufacturers are offering free recall repairs, history shows that some defects persist even after multiple repair attempts. If your vehicle continues to have safety issues, you may be entitled to compensation under California’s Lemon Law.

Ford and Lincoln Recalls: Brake and Power Loss Issues

Among the most alarming recalls are those affecting Ford and Lincoln models, which have serious safety defects that could put drivers at risk.

1. Ford EcoSport Axle Shaft Failure
   Ford has issued a recall for over 18,000 EcoSport crossovers from 2021-2022. A defective front axle shaft may disconnect from the transmission, causing a sudden loss of power while driving. A power failure at high speeds can be extremely dangerous, increasing the likelihood of collisions and loss of vehicle control.
2. Ford & Lincoln Trailer Brake System Failure
   Ford has also recalled more than 10,000 trucks and SUVs, including the F-150, Maverick, Expedition, and Super Duty models, as well as the Lincoln Navigator. A previous recall failed to fix a trailer brake system defect, which may prevent electric trailer brakes from engaging. This could make it difficult to stop when towing, significantly increasing accident risks on highways.
3. Lincoln Navigator Fire Hazard
   Over 35,000 Lincoln Navigators from 2015-2017 have also been recalled due to a defect in the LED logo lights on the side mirrors. Water exposure can cause short-circuiting, which may lead to smoke, melting components, or even vehicle fires.

These issues could be life-threatening, and if your vehicle has persistent safety defects even after repair attempts, you may have a lemon law claim.

Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes Recalls: Fire and Stalling Risks

While Ford and Lincoln face serious braking and power loss issues, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes have issued recalls for defects that increase the risk of fires, rollaways, and sudden stalling.

1. Volkswagen Atlas Engine Cover Fire Hazard
   Volkswagen has recalled 177,000 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs from 2024-2025 due to a loose engine cover. If not properly secured, the cover can detach and make contact with hot engine parts, creating a fire hazard.
2. Audi & Volkswagen Rollaway Risk
   Audi and Volkswagen have also recalled nearly 60,000 electric SUVs, including the ID.4, Q4 E-Tron, and Q4 E-Tron Sportback models. A defective gear position display could cause drivers to believe their vehicle is in park when it is not, leading to rollaway accidents.
3. Mercedes Hybrid Alternator Software Failure
   Mercedes recalled nearly 3,000 hybrid AMG models due to a high-voltage alternator software failure. If the software malfunctions, the vehicle could lose charging capability and stall unexpectedly, leaving drivers stranded.

If you have repeatedly taken your vehicle to the dealership for these issues without a lasting fix, you may have a Lemon Law claim.

What to Do If Your Vehicle Has Been Recalled

If your car is included in this latest recall, taking immediate action is essential to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. Ignoring a recall can put you, your passengers, and others on the road at risk. Here’s what you need to do if your vehicle has been recalled:

1. Confirm Whether Your Car Has an Open Recall

Automakers are required to notify vehicle owners about recalls, but some notices may get lost in the mail, overlooked in emails, or never reach second-hand owners. Even if you haven’t received an official recall notice, your vehicle could still be affected.

To check for an open recall:

• Visit NHTSA’s recall website and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if your car has been recalled.
• Look for recall notices on your manufacturer’s website under their “Safety Recalls” or “Recall Lookup” section.
• Call your dealership or manufacturer’s customer service line and provide your VIN to check for open recalls.

Your VIN number is typically found on the driver’s side dashboard, inside the driver’s door frame, or on your vehicle registration and insurance documents.

If your vehicle is affected, do not assume the problem will fix itself—certain defects can get worse over time, leading to more expensive repairs or serious safety hazards. Even if your car appears to be running fine, defects related to braking, power loss, or fire risks can be unpredictable and should not be ignored.

2. Contact an Authorized Dealership to Schedule a Recall Repair

If your vehicle is part of an active recall, do not delay scheduling a repair. The automaker is responsible for fixing the defect at no cost to you—but getting an appointment quickly can be a challenge.

Here’s what you should do:

• Call your local dealership and ask for the service department to schedule a recall repair.
• Confirm parts availability—some recalls require new parts that may not be in stock, leading to delays.
• Ask if a loaner vehicle is available—if the recall poses a serious safety risk, your dealership may provide a free rental car while your vehicle is being repaired.
• Request written confirmation of your repair appointment and expected completion date, especially if parts are on backorder.

If your dealership is unable to schedule your repair due to delays in parts availability or long wait times, ask them for a written statement confirming the delay. This could be useful documentation if your vehicle continues to experience issues and you need to pursue a Lemon Law claim later.

3. Keep All Repair Documentation

If your car has been recalled, it is critical to document everything related to the repair process. If the defect is not fixed properly or the issue reoccurs, this paperwork could be crucial evidence in a Lemon Law claim.

Be sure to:

• Request a repair invoice from the dealership after your recall service is completed.
• Keep all work orders and receipts related to the recall repair.
• Document any ongoing issues—if the problem persists, take notes on the symptoms, dates, and any dealership visits.
• Take photos or videos of any warning lights, leaks, noises, or other noticeable defects before and after the recall repair.

If your vehicle continues to experience problems after multiple recall repairs, you may have legal options under California’s Lemon Law.

Why You Should Take Action Now

The latest recall affecting 260,000 vehicles highlights serious safety concerns, yet many vehicle owners may still experience these issues after repair attempts.

If your Ford, Lincoln, Volkswagen, Audi, or Mercedes has persistent problems even after recall repairs, you may be entitled to a refund, vehicle replacement, or compensation under California’s Lemon Law.

Unfortunately, waiting for the manufacturer to resolve these defects could take months—or even years, leaving you with a vehicle that remains unsafe and unreliable. Instead of waiting, you should explore your legal rights to ensure you are not stuck with a defective car.

How The Barry Law Firm Can Help

At The Barry Law Firm, we specialize in California Lemon Law cases and have helped thousands of consumers successfully hold manufacturers accountable for defective vehicles.

• Lemon Law & Auto Defect Experts – We handle only California Lemon Law cases.
• No Costs to You – We never charge you, no matter the outcome of your case.
• Proven Success – We’ve helped thousands of consumers secure favorable outcomes for their defective vehicles.
• Hassle-Free Process – We take care of everything, so you don’t have to.

Closing

The recall of nearly 260,000 Ford, Lincoln, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes vehicles due to brake failures, fire risks, and rollaway hazards raises serious safety concerns, especially as some manufacturers have not provided immediate solutions. If you own an affected 2021-2022 Ford EcoSport, 2021-2022 Ford F-150, Maverick, Expedition, Super Duty, Lincoln Navigator, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Volkswagen Atlas, 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 E-Tron, or 2023-2025 Mercedes AMG Hybrid, it’s crucial to stay informed, monitor recall developments, and report any recurring issues to your dealership.

While manufacturers have offered free recall repairs, many vehicle owners are left waiting indefinitely for replacement parts or effective solutions. In the meantime, they continue driving vehicles with serious safety risks, including potential loss of power, failure to brake, fire hazards, and unintended rollaways. If you have experienced these defects despite repair attempts, you may have legal options under California’s Lemon Law. You could be entitled to a refund, vehicle replacement, or compensation for ongoing issues.

Unfortunately, waiting for manufacturers to provide a resolution could take months or longer, leaving affected drivers with unresolved safety concerns and significant inconvenience. Whether your vehicle has persistent brake malfunctions, rollaway risks, or repeated fire hazards, automakers have an obligation to fix these defects properly. In the meantime, you should not be left driving an unsafe vehicle.

At The Barry Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping consumers hold manufacturers accountable. If your vehicle has continued to experience safety defects despite recall repairs, or if the manufacturer has failed to offer a reasonable solution, you should not have to wait indefinitely for a fix. Contact us today for a FAST & FREE consultation to discuss your legal options and find out if you qualify for compensation under California’s Lemon Law.