Major brands recall 630,000 vehicles

Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla have filed separate U.S. safety recalls covering about 542,000 vehicles, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records reviewed on May 18. The filings were submitted between April 30 and May 4 and cover defects ranging from loose front-seat hardware to blank instrument displays and delayed rearview camera images. The total verified from the three manufacturers is lower than the roughly 630,000 vehicles cited in some roundup reports. NHTSA records show Ford recalled 179,698 vehicles, Mercedes-Benz 144,049 and Tesla 218,868. ### Which recalls are confirmed in federal filings? Ford Motor filed recall 26V268 on April 30 covering certain 2024-2026 Bronco and Ranger vehicles, NHTSA records show. The filing lists 179,698 vehicles with front-seat height-adjust pivot link bolts that may loosen or dislodge from one or both front seats. Mercedes-Benz USA filed recall 26V281 on May 1 covering 144,049 vehicles across multiple model lines. (static.nhtsa.gov) NHTSA said the infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is moving and cause the instrument panel display to go blank, which can hide safety information such as the speedometer and warning lights. Tesla filed recall 26V283 on May 4 covering 218,868 Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles equipped with Hardware version 3 and running a specified software version. (static.nhtsa.gov) NHTSA said the rearview camera image may appear blank for up to 11 seconds after the vehicle is shifted into reverse upon wake, creating a rear-visibility compliance issue under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111. (static.nhtsa.gov) ### Why does the Ford recall cover Ranger and Bronco seats? Ford said the affected Bronco and Ranger vehicles were built between Nov. 1, 2024, and Oct. 1, 2025. The company told NHTSA that one or more seat-frame height-adjustment pivot bolts may become loose and eventually dislodge, raising injury risk in a crash. The Ford filing breaks the population into 117,443 Broncos and 62,255 Rangers. (static.nhtsa.gov) NHTSA's recall notice says dealers will inspect and replace pivot links and bolts as necessary at no charge. ### What is Mercedes-Benz fixing in the 144,049-vehicle campaign? Mercedes-Benz said the issue involves infotainment software versions in affected vehicles produced between Sept. 19, 2022, and Feb. 6, 2026. (static.nhtsa.gov) NHTSA's notice says a system reset could blank the instrument panel display while the vehicle is in motion. The remedy is a dealer software update to the infotainment control unit, according to the recall notice. (static.nhtsa.gov) Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 26, 2026, and VINs became searchable on NHTSA's site beginning May 8. ### How is Tesla handling the rearview camera problem? Tesla told NHTSA that firmware engineering teams were notified of the condition on April 10, 2026. (static.nhtsa.gov) The company halted further release of software version 2026.8.6 the same day and sent version 2026.8.6.1 to customers on April 11 through an over-the-air update to correct the rearview image delay, the filing says. (static.nhtsa.gov) The Tesla recall covers certain 2017 and 2021-2023 Model 3 vehicles, 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles, and 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles. NHTSA's campaign notice says the delayed image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle and increases crash risk. ### Why doesn't the verified total match 630,000 vehicles? The three confirmed filings add up to 542,615 vehicles. (static.nhtsa.gov) That total comes directly from the population figures in the Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla Part 573 reports reviewed from NHTSA records. The difference suggests the higher tally may have included additional recalls, later updates or a broader set of manufacturer bulletins, but NHTSA filings reviewed for these three brands do not support a 630,000-vehicle total on their own. (static.nhtsa.gov) That is an inference from the federal filings, not a statement by NHTSA or the automakers. ### What should owners watch for next? (static.nhtsa.gov) Ford said interim owner letters were expected to begin May 11 and remedy letters are anticipated in July 2026, with dealer notifications having started in late April. Mercedes-Benz said owner letters are expected June 26, 2026. Tesla's filing says the software remedy was sent over the air on April 11, and affected owners can also check their 17-character VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup page. (static.nhtsa.gov)