Audi, Porsche recall more than 500,000 vehicles for backup cams as software recalls increase
Volkswagen Group of America and its Audi and Porsche subsidiaries have recalled more than 520,000 vehicles due to rearview mirror problems at a time when many Americans are failing to have recalled issues fixed.
More than 356,649 Audi vehicles are potentially affected in a Volkswagen Group of America recall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says certain parts and software versions may lead to a malfunction, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. It adds that this could increase the risk of a crash.
The root cause has not been identified, but analysis suggests that electrical noise, diminished shielding integrity, and timing may adversely affect rearview camera operations.
“If this occurs, the driver will notice the rearview camera image is not displayed,” the NHTSA report says. “Owners who may experience this issue are advised to use extra caution when reversing, and they should contact an authorized Audi dealer without delay to have the vehicle diagnosed.”
In a separate recall for Porsche, 173,538 vehicles are potentially impacted by a software issue that may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. NHTSA points to a transient signal noise between the control unit and the surround view camera as the possible issue.
In 2025, NHTSA also recalled vehicles from Hyundai, Toyota, Ford, and Chrysler over rearview camera problems.
Backup cameras have been required by law in all new vehicles since May 2018, following a 2014 final rule from NHTSA.
According to Yahoo, there were 360 recalls in 2025, potentially impacting more than 24.4 million vehicles.
Forbes found in November that the number of software recalls for vehicles has increased every year for the past six consecutive years.
“We are watching a pivotal moment in history,” Todd Warren, a computer science adjunct professor at Northwestern University, told Forbes. “Automakers will either fold under the weight of their own technical debt or emerge with a significant, competitive edge given better quality and methods of dealing with issues in the field.”
A recent analysis by the Wall Street Journal found that many Americans aren’t fixing recalled vehicles.
It found that between 2015 and 2024, about 12 million vehicles were recalled due to airbags not deploying, and that about 22%, or 2.6 million vehicles, remain unfixed. It found 12 people have died in crashes since the recalls were made.
Data on NHTSA’s website shows about 9% of Takata airbags remain in vehicles after a series of recalls that started in 2016.
“Millions of Americans are driving cars that could fail in a crash. Why? Owners don’t act on recall notices, contact info is outdated, fixes aren’t always ready, and backlogs on repairs and parts,” Dominick Miserandino, CEO of Retail Media Nexus, told TheStreet. “This isn’t just a statistic, it’s a real safety risk, and both drivers and car companies should be concerned.”
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