National Safety Recall - Sept. 18

The major new item today is a 208,724-vehicle Volkswagen/Audi steering recall that could cause drivers to lose steering control. FDA also posted a new allergen recall involving potato chips, while CPSC has posted no newer batch than the large September 17 group. USDA FSIS has not announced a new recall, but it broadened the distribution information for an earlier pork-cracklings recall.

• Volkswagen/Audi — 208,724 vehicles, possible loss of steering. Volkswagen Group of America is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguans, 2018–2019 Volkswagen Atlases and 2019–2021 Audi Q3s. A bolt attaching the steering rack to the subframe can corrode and break; the steering-rack housing can then fail, potentially causing loss of steering control and a crash. NHTSA formally acknowledged campaign 26V590 on September 17. Dealers will replace the right-side steering-rack mounting bolt free of charge; owner letters are expected November 10. VINs became searchable September 16.
  Check a vehicle by VIN at NHTSA
• FDA — J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon & Cheddar Potato Chips, undeclared soy. Saratoga Potato Chips is recalling 7.75-ounce bags with UPC 0-51933-31645-4 and “Best if Used By” dates DEC 11 26 and DEC 18 26 because they may contain undeclared soy. For people with a severe soy allergy, that can cause a serious or life-threatening reaction. The chips were sold at Save A Lot stores in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Maryland. No illnesses or injuries have been reported. FDA published the notice September 18.
  FDA recall notice
• CPSC — no new September 18 batch. CPSC’s newest recall list remains the September 17 group we covered yesterday, including the JKMAX heated blankets, Esjay busy boards, Jerify magnetic toys, Hayward pool heaters, Melissa & Doug fire-truck toys and other hazards. One smaller item from that batch worth keeping in the file is 329 LANCHEZ electric pressure washers sold through Amazon, Walmart.com and Temu; they lack required GFCI protection and can pose shock or electrocution hazards.
• USDA FSIS — no new recall, but an earlier Class I action was broadened. FSIS’s September 9 recall of De Todito Natural and BBQ snack mixes containing Colombian chicharrón was updated September 17 to add Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut and Illinois to the distribution area, in addition to New Jersey and Utah. The pork products came from Colombia, which is not eligible to export meat products to the United States.

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Editor's note: Yesterday's recall was inadvertently re-sent to some points today. We regret the error.