Volkswagen Group recalled more than half a million vehicles in the US in January after federal regulators identified software issues that can cause rearview camera displays to fail, increasing the risk of a crash while backing up. The recalls affect certain Audi and Porsche cars, and highlight growing concerns about software-dependent safety systems, which are now standard across modern vehicles.

Volkswagen and Audi recalled 356,649 vehicles because of the software flaw, which can prevent the rearview camera image from appearing. The recall affects select models from 2019 through 2026, which will be fixed with a free software update. The issue violates federal safety standards for rear visibility, which require that all light-vehicle models (10,000 pounds or less) provide a reliable camera view when backing up.

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Porsche, which is also part of the Volkswagen Group, announced a separate recall at the end of December covering 173,538 vehicles because of a similar rearview 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 the NHTSA. Dealers will provide a free software update to correct the problem 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 reliance 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 undermine the very protections they’re meant to provide, from blind-spot warnings to collision avoidance. Given that backup cameras have been mandatory on all new vehicles in the US since 2018, ensuring they work reliably is critical to preventing low-speed backing-up accidents.