New Car Recalls This Week: February 27 to March 5, 2023
5 recalls · 136,171 vehicles
Manufacturers reported 5 recalls on 2021 and newer cars, SUVs and pickups to NHTSA between February 27, 2023 and March 5, 2023, covering 136,171 vehicles. The most serious: 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra Body Panel Recall (23V142).
Which cars were recalled the week of February 27, 2023?
- 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra Body Panel Recall (23V142)
March 3, 2023 · 130,266 vehiclesVehicles: 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra; 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid
The tonneau cover attachment joints may come loose and allow the cover to detach.
Risk: A tonneau cover that detaches while driving can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail to return their vehicles to a Toyota dealer.
- 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y Seat Belt Anchor Recall (23V130)
February 27, 2023 · 3,470 vehiclesVehicles: 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y
The bolts securing the second-row seat back frames may not have been securely tightened.
Risk: A loose seat frame bolt may reduce the seat belt system's performance, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge.
- 2023 Nissan Ariya Steering Fastener Recall (23V131)
February 28, 2023 · 1,063 vehiclesVehicles: 2023 Nissan Ariya
The steering wheel bolt may have been tightened incorrectly or not installed.
Risk: A steering wheel with a loose or missing bolt can detach from the steering column, causing a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport and immediate repair if the steering wheel feels loose when gently rocking the wheel forward and back with their hands.
- 2023 Land Rover Defender Vehicle Tether Anchor Recall (23V137)
March 2, 2023 · 812 vehiclesVehicles: 2023 Land Rover Defender
The third-row seatback latch may not latch properly, reducing the strength of a child seat installed to the top tether.
Risk: A child seat with reduced strength may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the third-row seat frame and components, as necessary, free of charge.
- 2023 Mazda CX-50 Trailer Hitch Recall (23V135)
March 1, 2023 · 560 vehiclesVehicles: 2023 Mazda CX-50
The trailer hitch harness may detach and become damaged, which can result in inoperative trailer lights and/or brakes.
Risk: Towing a trailer with inoperative lights or brakes can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair the trailer hitch harness, free of charge.
Which makes and parts had the most recalls this week?
| Make | Recalls |
|---|---|
| Toyota | 1 |
| Tesla | 1 |
| Nissan | 1 |
| Land Rover | 1 |
| Mazda | 1 |
| Recall area | Recalls |
|---|---|
| Other Equipment | 2 |
| Body, Doors and Seats | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Did NHTSA open any defect investigations this week?
- PE23-003: Steering Wheel Detachment in 2023 Tesla Model Y
How does this week compare?
Recalls on 2021 and newer passenger vehicles reported to NHTSA, this week and the four weeks before it, with the 2023 weekly average so far.
| Week of | Recalls | Vehicles covered |
|---|---|---|
| February 27, 2023 (this week) | 5 | 136,171 |
| February 20, 2023 | 9 | 235,992 |
| February 13, 2023 | 11 | 1,195,754 |
| February 6, 2023 | 9 | 386,713 |
| January 30, 2023 | 11 | 241,279 |
| 2023 weekly average | 7.4 | 345,524 |
This week had 5 recalls, 2.4 fewer than the 2023 weekly average of 7.4.
Are owners saying these recalls fixed the problem?
For each recall this week, the number of NHTSA owner complaints about the same part on the same vehicles filed since the recall date, and how many describe the problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. Complaints are unverified owner reports; automated text matching can miss or misread some.
| Recall | Complaints since recall | Repeat-problem reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 Toyota Tundra Body Panel Recall (23V142) | 24 | 3 (12%) |
| 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y Seat Belt Anchor Recall (23V130) | 53 | 4 (8%) |
| 2023 Nissan Ariya Steering Fastener Recall (23V131) | 2 | too few to measure |
| 2023 Land Rover Defender Vehicle Tether Anchor Recall (23V137) | 4 | too few to measure |
| 2023 Mazda CX-50 Trailer Hitch Recall (23V135) | 5 | 0 (0%) |
What should I do if my car is on this list?
- Confirm with your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Schedule the free recall repair at an authorized dealer and ask whether parts are available.
- Keep the repair order from every visit.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.