Car Software, Safety Ratings and Recalls — 2026-09-11
Euro NCAP awarded five-star safety ratings to several Chinese electric vehicles, including the Aion UT and Leapmotor B05, signaling a shift in global safety standards. In the US, NHTSA listed nine new recalls affecting Ford, Tesla, and other major brands, while also delaying critical updates to its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) to keep pace with evolving vehicle technology. Meanwhile, Japan saw significant recalls for Nissan Caravans and Mitsubishi Delicas due to brake and display defects.
Car Software, Safety Ratings and Recalls — 2026-09-11
Top developments
Euro NCAP Awards Five Stars to Chinese EVs
Euro NCAP released new safety ratings on September 2, 2026, granting five-star ratings to the Aion UT, Geely E2, and Leapmotor B05. These results challenge previous perceptions of Chinese vehicle safety, with the Aion UT specifically noted for its strong performance in adult occupant protection and vulnerable road user safety. The Cupra Raval also achieved five stars, but only when equipped with its optional "Safety Pack," highlighting the growing importance of software-enabled ADAS features in achieving top ratings.
NHTSA Delays NCAP Updates Amid Tech Advances
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has officially delayed the implementation of several key updates to its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The delays affect the introduction of rear automatic braking (RAB) systems with pedestrian avoidance into the ADAS recommendations and the removal of certain dynamic rollover resistance tests. Regulators cited the rapid evolution of vehicle technology as a reason for re-evaluating testing protocols, raising concerns about whether federal standards can keep pace with software-defined vehicles.
Nine New Recalls Issued in the US
NHTSA listed nine new vehicle recalls this week affecting select Ford, Mitsubishi, Tesla, Ram, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles. Notably, Ford is recalling certain 2024-2026 Mustang models due to unspecified defects. These recalls add to the growing list of safety actions taken by the agency in 2026, reflecting ongoing challenges in quality control for both traditional and electric powertrains.
Toyota Recalls C-HR EVs for Battery Overcharge
Toyota has initiated a recall for potentially all C-HR EVs sold in North America due to a serious battery management defect. The issue involves a battery overcharge condition that can cause a loss of drive power at highway speeds, posing a significant crash risk. This recall underscores the complexity of managing high-voltage battery systems in software-defined vehicles, where firmware errors can have immediate physical consequences.
Local view
In Germany, media outlets are closely following the Euro NCAP results, with autohaus.de reporting that the KBA (German Federal Motor Transport Authority) is monitoring a recall of 12,723 Nissan X-Trail vehicles due to potential loss of propulsion caused by high-voltage battery control errors. ECOMENTO.de highlighted the disparity in ratings, noting that while Chinese EVs like the Aion UT achieved five stars easily, European rivals like the Cupra Raval required expensive safety packages to match them.
In Japan, Asahi Shimbun reported that Nissan filed a recall for 36,766 units of the Caravan and Isuzu Como vans due to brake component defects that could lead to reduced braking performance. Additionally, Mitsubishi Motors recalled 21,000 Delica D:5 vehicles because the liquid crystal meter could fail to display information, a defect linked to manufacturing issues in the instrument cluster.
Context & numbers
- China Market Recall Surge: Chinese regulatory filings show that 4.27 million vehicles were recalled in August 2026 alone, primarily due to door handle emergency release mechanisms. This represents a massive spike in recall volume, driven largely by EV manufacturers addressing mechanical design flaws rather than software bugs.
- OTA Market Growth: The global market for Over-the-Air (OTA) updates in automotive is projected to grow from $5.61 billion in 2026 to $17.1 billion by 2033. Volvo’s rollout of updates to 2.5 million vehicles and BMW’s 12 million remote upgrades are cited as key indicators that OTA has become core to vehicle strategy.
On the radar
- NHTSA GM V-8 Investigation: NHTSA continues to investigate GM’s L87 6.2-liter V-8 engines, despite a previously issued remedy. Reports indicate hundreds of engines have failed after the fix, suggesting the initial recall may have been inadequate.
- Daihatsu Interior Material Recall: In Japan, Daihatsu recalled approximately 10,000 Move and Stella vehicles because interior materials did not meet flammability standards, posing a fire risk.
- Scania Truck Recall: Scania Japan recalled LPGRS series trucks due to defects in the fuel tank and transmission, filed with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on September 10.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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