The Volkswagen Group recalled more than half a million vehicles in the United States in January after federal regulators identified software problems that could cause rear-view camera displays to fail, increasing the risk of a reversing accident. The recalls affect some Audi and Porsche cars and highlight growing concerns about software-dependent safety systems that are now standard on modern vehicles.
Volkswagen and Audi have recalled 356,649 vehicles due to a software flaw, which may prevent the rear view camera image from being displayed. The recall affects certain models from 2019 to 2026, which will be fixed with a free software update. The issue violates federal rear visibility safety standards, which require all light-duty vehicle models (10,000 pounds or less) to provide a reliable camera view when reversing.
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Porsche, also part of the Volkswagen Group, announced a separate recall covering 173,538 vehicles in late December due to a similar reversing camera issue, indicating a broader problem with camera software across brands.
How to know if your car is part of the recall
You should receive an official recall notice in the mail from NHTSA. Dealers will provide a free software update to correct the issue once the fix is available and owners receive notification.
For owners of affected Porsche and Audi vehicles, this recall means scheduling a service appointment once notified and avoiding relying on the rear camera until the update is installed.
Modern cars increasingly rely on digital systems and camera feeds for safety features. Software bugs in these systems can compromise the very protections they’re supposed to offer, from blind-spot warnings to collision avoidance. Since backup cameras have been required on all new vehicles in the United States since 2018, ensuring their reliable operation is critical to preventing low-speed backup accidents.
