Vehicle recalls are an important part of ensuring safety on the roads. Whether it’s due to minor software-related issues or large production problems with the engines, these recalls ensure that automobile manufacturers can see any issues their vehicles are running into on the road once they exit the production phase. This monitoring and recalling process allows manufacturers to make changes within their production phase. Recently, 30,000 vehicles were recalled over software issues.
How vehicles get recalled by manufacturers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an important stakeholder and liaison when it comes to vehicle recalls. Consumers report problems in their vehicles to the NHTSA, which may prompt an investigation by the NHTSA into the identified issue or defect. If the findings of this investigation reveal a safety defect in the vehicle, the NHTSA will prompt the vehicle manufacturer to issue a recall.
However, manufacturers are always monitoring their vehicles on the road and may issue a recall themselves to affected owners before the NHTSA asks them to do so. Once a recall has been confirmed, however, the manufacturer must file a report with the NHTSA. Manufacturers generally have 60 days to notify affected vehicle owners of the recall. Manufacturers must then amend the problem at no additional cost to the consumer.
Polestar vehicles face two recalls
Polestar vehicles in the US are currently facing two vehicle recalls. Polestar is a Swedish automotive manufacturer that produces electric cars. Last year, the company sold over 13,000 vehicles to US customers and has been showing significant growth in sales since 2022. Since the company debuted as a standalone brand away from parent company Volvo, the company has seen its sales double within three years.
Polestar’s first vehicle recall affects 27,800 vehicles over a software-related issue. According to the 25-280 report, Polestar 2 models produced between 2021 and 2025 are being recalled due to the rearview camera not displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. Owners of affected vehicles are expected to be notified by June 19. The report was first submitted to the NHTSA about the issue at the end of April,
A second recall from Polestar is regarding the recall of 3,664 vehicles. According to the 25V-293 report, certain Polestar 3 vehicles are being recalled due to their rearview camera also not displaying an image when the vehicle is put into reverse. This report was first submitted at the beginning of the month, and affected vehicle owners are expected to be notified by July 1.
Rising popularity of electric vehicles
American electric vehicle company Tesla has long dominated the roads in terms of annual sales of electric vehicles, however, this could be changing. While Tesla vehicles remain popular, rising competition from local and international automobile developers, as well as Tesla facing its own production issues, has meant that Tesla needs to fight harder to maintain dominance on the roads. The impact of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in politics has also affected the brand’s popularity, especially amidst the Trump Administration’s tariffs:
“It is difficult to measure the impacts of shifting global trade policy on the automotive and energy supply chains, our cost structure and demand for durable goods and related services,” Tesla said in the outlook section of its first quarter report regarding the impact of US tariffs on imports
Despite the massive recall from Polestar, the rising popularity of the brand, as seen from their annual sales growth, is indicative of the rising popularity of electric vehicles, as well as showcasing how American consumers are looking towards foreign brands to purchase their electric vehicles. With the large recalls for Tesla’s cybertrucks as well as investigations from the NHTSA over Tesla’s autonomous driving technology, consumers may be looking at alternative options for reliable electric vehicle producers.
