Strangest Car Recalls Ever: Spiders, Missing Brakes, and Exploding Logos
by AutoExpert | 28 February, 2024
Car recalls are usually boring, but sometimes... they get downright bizarre.
Here's a few of our favorites that make you go "Wait, seriously?":
1. The Spider-Hating Mazda
- Model: 2010-2012 Mazda6
- The Problem: Turns out some spiders REALLY like the smell of gasoline. So much so, they were building webs in a fuel vent, which could crack the whole tank. Like, who knew spiders were the car's worst enemy?
- The Fix: Dealers had to do a full-on spider eviction, swap out some parts, and basically give the car an anti-arachnid software update.
2. The Case of the Missing Brakes
- Model: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
- The Problem: Oops, someone at the factory "forgot" to put on the front brakes. Like, how does that even happen? Stopping distances may be slightly longer... like off the edge of a cliff.
- The Fix: Dealers were probably sweating bullets, scrambling to actually give these cars the ability to stop.
3. Nissan's Exploding Steering Wheel
- Models: Various Nissans from 2004-2013
- The Problem: Not the whole wheel, but the Nissan logo in the middle could go flying like a shrapnel when the airbag deployed. Talk about adding insult to injury!
- The Fix: Still being figured out. Maybe they'll just superglue the logo on extra tight?
4. The Hot Seat, Literally
- Models: 2002-2004 Volkswagen Golf and Jetta
- The Problem: Seat warmers could malfunction and basically try to roast the driver alive. Imagine getting a third-degree burn from your commute.
- The Fix: Dealers had to get in there and do some electrical surgery, plus give the passenger seat a new switch just in case.
5. The Bilingual Sticker Debacle
- Model: 2000 Kia Sportage
- The Problem: Someone goofed on the paperwork, leaving off the French translation on a safety label. Oh, the horror!
- The Fix: Slap on a new sticker. Seriously, that's it. Most expensive sticker job ever.
Makes you wonder what other weirdness is out there, huh?