Car recall check: Hyundai, Volkswagen, BMW among 40,000 recalled

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including nearly 40,000 Hyundai Elantra hybrid electric sedans because of a software error.

Volkswagen also recalled more than 2,000 Atlas SUVs for an engine connecting rod issue.

Car owners can check USA TODAY’s automotive recall database or search NHTSA’s database for new recalls. The NHTSA website also allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number, or VIN.

Here are the vehicle recalls published by the NHTSA from August 16 to August 23.

Previous week:Ford, Kia, Nissan, Chrysler among nearly 660,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here

Hyundai is recalling 37,997 of its 2021-2023 Elantra HEV vehicles because a software error can cause the car to accelerate after the brake pedal is released, which can increase the risk of a crash, according to a report filed with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Hyundai will send notification letters to owners on Oct. 17, 2023 and dealers will update the motor control unit software, free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 248.

Hyundai recalled vehicles:

◾ 2021-2023 Elantra HEV

Volkswagen is recalling 2,018 of its 2024 Atlas PA2 and Atlas Cross Sport PA SUVs because the engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure. Contamination during the bearing production process may have caused an increased particle occurrence in the engine oil circuit, which may lead to extensive wear and play and result in damage to the connecting rod bearings, the company said in a NHTSA report.

A connecting rod bearing with continuously rising bearing play leads to excessive engine noise. If the excessive engine noise and engine warning light are ignored and the vehicle continues to be driven, this condition may result in engine failure, potentially causing a loss of motive power while driving, and in rare cases, a loss of engine oil which may pose a risk of a vehicle fire, Volkswagen said.

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 20, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 13i6.

Hyundai recalled vehicles:

BMW is recalling 144 of its 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, and M340i sedans, and 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles because the receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. Failure to alert the driver to fasten the seat belt and could increase the risk of injury to the driver if a crash were to occur, BMW said in a NHTSA report.

Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 6, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Honda is recalling 19 of its 2023 CR-V Hybrid and Accord Hybrid vehicles because the electronic transmission may have been improperly manufactured. The vehicles' electronic transmission’s generator resolver cover may have been broken during the assembly process; the broken pieces potentially can cut the resolver wires during vehicle operation, resulting in a loss of engine power, Honda said in a NHTSA report. If the vehicle loses power, the driver may be unable to restart and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash, the company said.

Dealers will replace the electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 11, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NFG and HFF.

Hyundai recalled vehicles:

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