Car news for owners
New recalls, fuel and charging prices, and the industry news that changes what owning a car costs. Short, sourced, and written for owners.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: gas falls 12 cents in a week, and the average new car payment reaches $823
US gas drops to $4.10 a gallon as crude eases, public EV charging averages 42 cents per kWh, and the average new car payment rises to $823 a month in October.
- Car stories
The Ford Mustang: how a quick project built on Falcon parts became the first pony car
How the Ford Mustang went from an 18 month project on Falcon parts to more than 10 million cars, through the Mustang II, the Fox years and seven generations.
- Recalls
Car recalls: airbags in Hyundai Kona Electric and Veloster N may not deploy
New US recall filed Nov 3: airbags and seat belt pretensioners in 37,901 Hyundai Kona Electric and Veloster N cars may not work in a crash. Free software fix.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: used EVs sell faster than gas cars, Pennsylvania adds 515 charging ports, and Kia has its best October
Used EVs now sell 13 days faster than gas cars and cost more, Pennsylvania funds 515 charging ports around Philadelphia, and Kia posts a record October.
- Car care tips
Do you need to warm up your car in winter? About 30 seconds, then drive gently
Long idling on cold mornings wastes fuel and does not warm the whole car. What the DOE says about warming up, why driving gently is better, and the garage rule.
- Recalls
Car recalls: GM electric SUV brakes, Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana steering, BMW plug-in hybrids
New US recalls filed Oct 21 to 29: GM electric SUVs that may lose braking, Chevy Express and GMC Savana steering nuts, BMW plug-in hybrid starter cables.
- Recalls
GM recalls 67,380 electric SUVs: Cadillac Lyriq, Vistiq, Celestiq and Chevrolet Blazer EV may lose braking
GM is recalling 67,380 Cadillac Lyriq, Vistiq, Celestiq and Chevrolet Blazer EV models in the US: brake software may cause a loss of braking. The fix is free.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: car loan interest passes $10,000, certified used cars gain ground, and hybrids drive Hyundai’s best October
Interest on a typical new car loan now tops $10,000, more shoppers look at certified used cars, and hybrids made up 29% of Hyundai’s record October in the US.
- Car stories
The Volkswagen Beetle: from a 1930s factory to 21.5 million cars and a place in American culture
How the Volkswagen Beetle went from a 1930s project to a car that passed the Ford Model T, won America with a famous ad and was built in Mexico until 2003.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: GM must answer NHTSA on failing 6.2L V8 engines by November 13, and automakers push Congress for a permanent ban on Chinese cars
GM has until Nov 13 to answer NHTSA about failing 6.2L V8 engines in about 1 million trucks and SUVs, and automakers ask Congress to ban Chinese cars for good.
- Car care tips
Winter tires vs all-season tires: what the tests show and how to decide
Do you need winter tires? What a snow test showed about stopping distance, what the mountain snowflake symbol means, and why you should fit all four at once.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: GM pays $220 million over driver data sold to insurers, and NHTSA looks for ways to get more recalls repaired
GM settles with 35 states and DC for $220 million over selling driving data used by insurers, and NHTSA meets this week on how to get more recalls fixed.
- Car stories
The Honda Civic: the small car that met the clean air rules and never left
How a small Honda hatchback from 1972 met tough US emission rules without a catalytic converter and grew into one of the best known cars in America.
- Car care tips
Clocks go back: how to drive safely when the evening commute turns dark
US clocks fall back on Sunday, November 1, and the evening drive home turns dark. Why night driving is riskier, how to see more, and how to spot people on foot.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: NHTSA moves to rewrite tire safety rules, and a new bill proposes a $15,000 EV tax credit
NHTSA starts the first big rewrite of US tire safety rules in over 20 years, and a House bill would bring back a $15,000 EV credit with little chance to pass.
- Car stories
The Mazda RX-7: how a small sports car kept the rotary engine alive
How Mazda kept the rotary engine alive with the RX-7: three generations from 1978 to 2002, more than 800,000 cars built and a long run of racing titles.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: hybrid three row SUVs from GM, cheaper home backup power from Ford, and a busy October for car sales
GM readies its Lansing SUV plant for hybrids, Ford's $28,350 Fathom pickup can power a home for far less, and Cox expects October new car sales up 7.2%.
- Car care tips
Why your fuel economy drops in winter, and how to win some of it back
Cold weather can cut a gas car's city mpg about 15% and an EV's range 41%. Why it happens, what is normal, and simple habits that recover part of the loss.
- Recalls
Car recalls: Ford F-Series tailgate cables, Dodge Durango tail lights, Lincoln hybrids that may slip into neutral
More US recalls filed Oct 20 to 23: Ford F-Series tailgate cables, Dodge Durango tail lights, Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair hybrids that may slip to neutral.
- Fuel and energy prices
US fuel prices: gas eases to $4.27, diesel rises to $6.35
Regular gasoline averaged $4.27 a gallon in the US in the week of October 26, 2026, down 1.5 cents. Diesel rose again to $6.35. Regional prices, cost per mile.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: a January tariff threat for Canadian built cars and an 80% charging limit for the VW ID.4
Honda warns that doubling US tariffs on Canadian cars on January 1 would be catastrophic, and VW caps 22,524 US ID.4 SUVs at 80% charge over fire risk.
- Recalls
Car recalls: Sienna Hybrid seats, F-Series gauges, Volvo EX30 head restraints, Ram 2500
New US recalls not in our last roundup: Toyota Sienna Hybrid seats, Ford F-Series gauges, Volvo EX30 head restraints, Ram 2500 stability control and more.
- Recalls
Subaru: do not drive eight 2026 Crosstrek and Forester SUVs with a loose ball joint nut
Subaru tells owners of eight 2026 Crosstrek and Forester SUVs not to drive them: a front ball joint nut may be loose and the joint can separate. What to do.
- Recalls
Ford recalls 102,159 F-150 and Super Duty trucks: speedometer and tachometer may read wrong
Ford is recalling 102,159 F-150 and Super Duty pickups in the US: the analog gauges may stick or show the wrong speed. Dealers will replace the cluster free.
- Recalls
Toyota recalls 228,367 Sienna Hybrid minivans: second row seatbacks may unlock in a crash
Toyota is recalling 228,367 2022 to 2026 Sienna Hybrid 7 seat minivans in the US: second row seatbacks may not stay locked in a crash. What owners should do.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: a dealer software breach claim, full dealer lots and Kia’s 2027 EV6 prices
A hacking group claims it stole buyer data from dealer software VinSolutions, new car supply is up to 82 days, and Kia keeps 2027 EV6 prices from $37,900.
- Car stories
The Ford F-Series: how a 1948 pickup became America’s best selling vehicle
How Ford’s 1948 Bonus-Built pickup became the F-150, the best selling US vehicle since 1981: names, the aluminum body, the hybrid and the electric Lightning.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: Audi’s first US plant, the real cost of a car loan, Tesla FSD on Turo
Audi will build SUVs in Georgia to escape import tariffs, car loan interest now adds about $10,000 to a purchase, and Turo starts listing Teslas with FSD.
- Car care tips
Deer season: how to avoid a crash, and what to do if you hit one
Deer collisions peak from October to December. How to lower the risk at dawn and dusk, why you should brake rather than swerve, and what to do if you hit one.
- Recalls
Car recalls this week: Land Cruiser fuel leak, Range Rover cameras, Lexus NX displays
New US recalls filed Oct 12 to 21, 2026: a Toyota Land Cruiser fuel leak, Range Rover rear cameras, Lexus NX displays, Audi Q4 e-tron batteries and Porsche wheels.
- Recalls
Audi Q4 e-tron recalled over battery fire risk: charge to 80% until fixed
Audi is recalling 9,048 2024 to 2025 Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron in the US over a battery fire risk. Owners should charge to 80% until a fix is ready.
- Recalls
Porsche 911 and 718 with center lock wheels: do not drive until checked
Porsche tells owners of 548 2024 911 and 718 models with center lock wheels not to drive them: the wheel bolt may fracture. What is affected and what to do.
- Fuel and energy prices
US fuel prices: gas averages $4.28, diesel climbs to $6.28
Regular gasoline averaged $4.28 a gallon in the US in the week of October 19, 2026, $1.27 more than a year ago. Diesel rose to $6.28. What it means per mile.
- Industry briefing
Industry briefing: lower fuel economy rules, GM returns to hybrids, a $12,000 EV
NHTSA finalizes lower fuel economy standards through 2031, GM says hybrids are coming back as gas prices climb, and VW sells a 285-mile EV in China for under $12,000.
- Car care tips
Get your car ready for winter: a 15-minute checklist
Battery, tires, tire pressure, wipers, washer fluid, coolant and an emergency kit: a simple checklist to get your car ready for winter before the first frost.
- Car stories
The Toyota Land Cruiser: from a 1951 police jeep to a global icon
How a 1951 prototype that climbed Mount Fuji became the Toyota Land Cruiser: the name, the 40 and 70 Series, 10 million sales and its return to the US.
Get Badger on your phone
Free for one car, on iPhone and Android. No account needed.
