Also for 2021, we have prepared a detailed overview of all the recalls announced by carmakers via the Rapex rapid alert system in 2020. From this extensive material, we have selected the cars whose owners have been invited to the workshop most frequently.
In 2020, 38 carmakers announced a total of 353 recalls for 248 models via the Rapex rapid alert system – see our detailed overview. The vast majority of these are voluntary measures. The manufacturers themselves reported it to the Rapex and did not wait for the European supervisory authorities to force them to do so. We should appreciate the fact that these brands have admitted their mistakes and are trying to correct them. Some others may not do it in other cases.
Fourteen models of six brands had six or more recalls in 2020. Among the passenger cars, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Peugeot 208 were the most recalled. We also find two BMWs and one Toyota on the list. Citroën Jumpy/Spacetourer, Peugeot Expert/Traveler and Ford Transit had the most defects among the vans. Their owners had to go to the workshop nine times. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter had seven recalls.
In the following overview, we list only passenger cars from six to ten recalls in ascending order. The pictures are for illustrative purposes only, as various generations and designs could be affected during the year. It is also important to note that these deficiencies often relate to specific components (engine type, bodywork, equipment) and the recall may not apply to all vehicles of a given type. The only reliable source of information on the actual condition of a particular vehicle is a VIN check with the authorised dealer.
6 recalls
BMW 3-Series
| Published | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 3-Series PHEV (2020) | 07. 12. 2020 | A short circuit in the high-voltage battery could occur during initial charging due to a particle in the form of a ... . |
| BMW 3-Series (2018 – 2019) | 21. 08. 2020 | A vibration fatigue failure of the track rod may occur due to an exceptional bending load. Such a failure would lead ... . |
| BMW 3 Series / E46 (1997 – 2000) | 12. 06. 2020 | The ammonium nitrate propellant used in the airbag inflator may experience a material alteration over time due to degradation occurring after ... . |
| BMW 3 Series (2019 – 2020) | 05. 05. 2020 | The cable connecting the hall sensor with the seat buckle might be too short. Consequently, the sensor might detach from the ... . |
| BMW 3 Series (2007 – 2011) | 23. 01. 2020 | The connector of the positive battery cable on the front power distribution box may be damaged over the lifetime of the ... . |
| BMW 3 Series (2018 – 2019) | 10. 01. 2020 | The press-in force of the counterbalance shaft’s bearing shells may not have met the specifications, which could cause the counterbalance shaft ... . |
✅ All BMW recalls in 2020
BMW X3
| Published | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| BMW X3 (2019 – 2020) | 25. 12. 2020 | The safety belts for the driver and passenger seats may not have been fully bolted on. As a consequence, their restraining ... . |
| BMW X3 PHEV (2020) | 08. 12. 2020 | A short circuit in the high-voltage battery could occur during initial charging due to a particle in the form of a ... . |
| BMW X3M (2018 – 2019) | 21. 08. 2020 | A vibration fatigue failure of the track rod may occur due to an exceptional bending load. Such a failure would lead ... . |
| BMW X3 / X3M (2019 – 2020) | 05. 05. 2020 | The cable connecting the hall sensor with the seat buckle might be too short. Consequently, the sensor might detach from the ... . |
| BMW X3 (2017 – 2019) | 29. 04. 2020 | The screw connection from the passenger’s airbag to the instrument panel may not have been manufactured according to specifications. As a ... . |
| BMW X3 (2018 – 2019) | 10. 01. 2020 | The press-in force of the counterbalance shaft’s bearing shells may not have met the specifications, which could cause the counterbalance shaft ... . |
✅ All BMW recalls in 2020
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
| Published | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2018 – 2020) | 13. 10. 2020 | Due to the lack of documentation, there is no confirmation that the screw connections of the turbocharger’s oil-supply and oil-return pipes ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2004 – 2016) | 21. 09. 2020 | The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG (2018 – 2019) | 29. 08. 2020 | The ESP control unit software does not comply with the specifications and may not be able to adapt to the type ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2020) | 31. 07. 2020 | The left-hand side, rear seat-back lock does not comply with the specifications. This could lead to a failure of the seat-back ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2018 – 2019) | 30. 06. 2020 | The brake discs installed on the front axle may be too small (in diameter and thickness) and would not sit symmetrically ... . |
✅ All Mercedes-Benz recalls in 2020
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
| Published | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2018 – 2020) | 13. 10. 2020 | Due to the lack of documentation, there is no confirmation that the screw connections of the turbocharger’s oil-supply and oil-return pipes ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2004 – 2016) | 21. 09. 2020 | The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2020) | 31. 07. 2020 | The left-hand side, rear seat-back lock does not comply with the specifications. This could lead to a failure of the seat-back ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2018 – 2019) | 19. 07. 2020 | The elastomer material of the oil feed line for the exhaust-gas turbocharger may not comply with the specification, allowing oil to ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class (2015 – 2019) | 28. 04. 2020 | Moisture can penetrate into the busbar, giving rise to conductive contacts between the individual lines inside it. The resulting current flows ... . |
✅ All Mercedes-Benz recalls in 2020
Peugeot 3008
| Published | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Peugeot 3008 (2020) | 22. 12. 2020 | The affected vehicles may have a crack in the rear steering knuckles. This could lead to a loss of control over ... . |
| Peugeot 3008 (2013 – 2017) | 23. 11. 2020 | The vacuum pump may be damaged due to material abrasion of the cog belt. As a result, the braking assistance could ... . |
| Peugeot 3008 (2015) | 06. 09. 2020 | The sub-frame may corrode and fracture due to defective anti-rust treatment. This can lead to loss of control over the vehicle, ... . |
| Peugeot 3008 (2019 – 2020) | 28. 06. 2020 | The bolts attaching the trailer hitch can break. Consequently, the trailer will become detached, increasing the risk of an accident. The ... . |
| Peugeot 3008 (2019 – 2020) | 22. 05. 2020 | The rear axle connection may be defective. This may affect the driving stability, increasing the risk of an accident. The Peugeot ... . |
| Peugeot 3008 (2019) | 16. 03. 2020 | The two bolts attaching the trailer hitch can break. Consequently, the trailer will become detached, increasing the risk of an accident. ... . |
✅ All Peugeot recalls in 2020
Toyota Yaris
| Published | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris (2020) | 26. 12. 2020 | The metal seat belt anchor bracket on the rear centre seat may be improperly manufactured. As a result, the seat belt ... . |
| Toyota Yaris (2020) | 23. 12. 2020 | In vehicles equipped with projector headlights, the movable part for headlights’ dimming could be deformed due to an incorrect dimming process. ... . |
| Toyota Yaris (2001 – 2014) | 16. 03. 2020 | The gas generator of the passenger airbag may be defective. This may result in uncontrolled inflation and release of metal fragments ... . |
| Toyota Yaris GRMN (2017 – 2018) | 14. 02. 2020 | The fuel-delivery resin spacer between the fuel injector and the engine’s cylinder head does not have the appropriate thermal resistance. Consequently, ... . |
| Toyota Yaris (1998 – 1999) | 07. 02. 2020 | The ammonium nitrate propellant used in the airbag inflator may experience a material alteration over time due to degradation occurring after ... . |
| Toyota Yaris (2003 – 2005) | 03. 01. 2020 | The vehicles might have been fitted with an inappropriate replacement airbag inflator. Consequently, in the event of an accident, the airbag ... . |
✅ All Toyota recalls in 2020
7 recalls
8 recalls
Peugeot 208
| Published | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Peugeot 208 (2013 – 2017) | 23. 11. 2020 | The vacuum pump may be damaged due to material abrasion of the cog belt. As a result, the braking assistance could ... . |
| Peugeot 208 (2019 – 2020) | 06. 11. 2020 | The high-pressure pump has not been tightened to the engine with the correct torque. As a result, fuel may leak onto ... . |
| Peugeot 208 II (2019 – 2020) | 28. 08. 2020 | The wheel alignment of the front axle may be incorrect. This may result in unstable road handling of the vehicle, increasing ... . |
| Peugeot 208 II (2019) | 17. 07. 2020 | The rear brake hoses may have been incorrectly routed. This could result in rupture of a hose, affecting the vehicle’s braking ... . |
| Peugeot 208 (2019) | 10. 07. 2020 | The fixings of the rear shock absorbers are not properly tightened. Consequently, the shock absorbers could fall while the vehicle is ... . |
| Peugeot 208 (2019) | 26. 05. 2020 | The front wheelhouse trims may be insufficiently fastened. As a result, they may become detached in motion, posing a risk to ... . |
| Peugeot 208 (2019) | 26. 05. 2020 | The steering column may not be manufactured according to the specifications. This may result in steering failure and loss of control ... . |
| Peugeot 208 (2017 – 2019) | 17. 01. 2020 | Wrong engine calibration tuning might cause the exhaust emissions’ level of nitrogen oxides (NOx) to exceed regulated limits. Nitrogen oxides are ... . |
✅ All Peugeot recalls in 2020
9 recalls
Citroën Jumpy Citroën Spacetourer Ford Transit Peugeot Expert Peugeot Traveller
10 recalls
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
| Published | Issue | |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2018 – 2020) | 15. 12. 2020 | The quantity of oil in the dual-clutch gearbox may be too low or too high. This can result in impaired torque ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2019 – 2020) | 15. 10. 2020 | The oil-supply pipe on the turbocharger may leak. As a result, engine oil could leak onto the under-body paneling and from ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2004 – 2012) | 21. 09. 2020 | The driver and passenger airbags of the company Takata in vehicles with ammonium nitrate gas generators without drying agents could, under ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2017 – 2019) | 06. 09. 2020 | The condensed water drainage hose of the air-conditioning system may not be properly fitted. In such a case condensed water from ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2019) | 18. 08. 2020 | The screws on the rear axle might not be tightened properly, which could lead to overloading of other screw connections. This ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2013) | 28. 03. 2020 | Refrigerant of type R134a is used in the air conditioning system. As a result, the affected vehicles do not meet the ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2014 – 2017) | 07. 03. 2020 | The occupant classification system for the front passenger seat may not be calibrated in accordance with the specifications. Consequently, an installed ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2018) | 24. 02. 2020 | The glass pane on the lifting/sliding panorama roof may not have been properly affixed. As a result, it may become completely ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2018) | 23. 01. 2020 | A weld on the seat-height adjustment system of the left-hand front seat may be defective and can break, causing the seat ... . |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class (2018 – 2019) | 13. 01. 2020 | The four self-locking nuts used to attach the airbag might not have been correctly tightened. As a result, in the event ... . |
✅ All Mercedes-Benz recalls in 2020
