Recalls are a normal part of the automotive world. A part fails, a safety issue comes to light, and manufacturers bring cars back in to fix the problem. But every so often, recalls appear that are so odd, so unexpected, or so careless, they make you wonder how the car ever left the factory. From exploding sunroofs to flower vases turned into weapons, these recalls stand out as some of the strangest ever to hit Canadian and North American roads.
Ford Windstar: The Self-Opening Sliding Door
Minivans are supposed to be the picture of family practicality. The Ford Windstar, however, gave parents a scare when electrical glitches caused sliding doors to open on their own while driving. Imagine heading down the Trans-Canada Highway with kids in the back, only for the door to suddenly slide wide open. Families complained about near accidents and the terror of not knowing when the door might pop. The recall involved repairing the faulty latches and electronics, but the Windstar had already earned a reputation for being more trouble than convenience.
Toyota Prius: Software That Stalled Cars Mid-Drive
Hybrids were marketed as the future of efficiency, but Toyota’s Prius gave Canadian drivers some real anxiety. A recall revealed that faulty software could cause the car to suddenly stall in traffic, leaving drivers coasting without power. Commuters in Toronto and Montreal reported being stranded in intersections, while highway drivers described the unnerving feeling of a car silently shutting down at speed. Toyota had to issue a software update to fix the problem, showing that even advanced cars weren’t immune to strange bugs.
Volkswagen Beetle: The Killer Flower Vase
When Volkswagen reintroduced the Beetle in the late 1990s, it came with a quirky touch — a small vase on the dashboard for flowers. It was cute and retro, until safety officials realized that in a crash, that decorative vase could become a flying projectile. Instead of delivering a touch of whimsy, it could smack drivers in the head with whatever bloom they placed inside. Volkswagen recalled the feature, proving that not every design idea ages gracefully.
Subaru Legacy and Outback: Exploding Sunroofs
Canadian Subaru owners are no strangers to snow and ice, but what they didn’t expect was sunroofs that could explode without warning. Drivers reported hearing loud bangs before glass rained down inside the cabin, often while driving at highway speeds. Imagine a February commute in Ottawa and suddenly having shards of glass land in your lap. Subaru eventually recalled the affected Legacy and Outback models, but not before spooking countless drivers who realized the sky could literally fall on them.
Ford Pinto: The Infamous Fire Hazard
The Ford Pinto’s recall is one of the most infamous in automotive history. The issue was grimly simple: the fuel tank was positioned dangerously close to the rear bumper, and even a modest rear-end collision could rupture it, sparking a fire. In Canada and the US, reports of fiery crashes fueled outrage, especially after documents revealed Ford initially weighed the cost of recalls against the cost of lawsuits. Eventually, the Pinto was recalled, but its reputation as a rolling fire hazard was cemented forever.
Honda Accord: Airbags Deploying for No Reason
Airbags are supposed to be lifesavers in a crash, but some Honda Accord models gave drivers quite a shock when they deployed randomly without impact. Commuters in Canada described airbags firing off while cruising calmly down city streets, startling drivers and in some cases causing minor accidents. The recall covered defective inflators and sensors that misfired, highlighting how even safety systems could become dangerous when they malfunction. For many drivers, the fear wasn’t of a crash — it was of the car’s own airbags attacking them.
Tesla Model S: Seat Belts Not Properly Bolted
Tesla, known for its futuristic technology, had one of the strangest recalls in recent memory. Early Model S sedans were recalled when it was discovered that some seat belts weren’t properly secured to the frame. Essentially, owners paid for a luxury EV only to discover the most basic safety system — the seat belt — might not work in a crash. The recall involved inspecting and properly bolting belts into place, but the embarrassment for Tesla was hard to ignore. For Canadian buyers who paid premium prices, it was a sobering reminder that even high-tech cars could make low-tech mistakes.
Mazda3: Steering Wheels Coming Loose
Few things are more unnerving than the steering wheel of your car coming off in your hands. Some Mazda3 models were recalled because bolts holding the wheel to the column could loosen, eventually causing the wheel to detach while driving. Canadians reported wheels feeling wobbly before the recall was issued. Mazda scrambled to reinforce the connection and prevent further incidents, but the image of a driver holding a detached steering wheel mid-drive is something that lingers in memory.
Jeep Cherokee: Gear Selector Confusion
Electronic gear selectors were supposed to modernize driving, but in the Jeep Cherokee they caused chaos. The design didn’t provide clear feedback to drivers about what gear the car was in, leading many to believe they had shifted into park when they hadn’t. The result? Vehicles rolling away after drivers got out. In Canada, several incidents were reported in driveways and parking lots, with cars damaging property or endangering pedestrians. The issue gained international attention after a tragic accident involving a Hollywood actor, forcing Jeep into a redesign.
BMW 7 Series: Doors That Opened by Themselves
Luxury cars are supposed to make life easier, but the BMW 7 Series recall proved that too much tech can backfire. Faulty electronic door latches meant that doors could swing open by themselves, sometimes at highway speeds. Canadian owners reported the terrifying sensation of a passenger door suddenly cracking open while merging on the 401. BMW recalled the cars to fix the latch systems, but the bizarre nature of the problem damaged the image of what was supposed to be a cutting-edge luxury sedan.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
