Recall 16V004 affects 149 2016 Bluecar hybrid-electric vehicles for a gear shift lever that can break. Repair is free at any franchised Bluecar dealer.
Bluecar is recalling 149 2016 Bluecar hybrid-electric vehicles because the gear shift lever can break and stop the car from holding the intended gear. If the lever breaks, the vehicle can become immobilized and increase crash risk; Bluecar dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The gear shift lever in a 2016 Bluecar is the driver control that selects park, reverse, neutral, or drive. It is supposed to move the transmission into the chosen position and keep the car in the intended gear while the vehicle is being operated.
On affected Bluecar vehicles, the lever is weak at the point where molded plastic meets metal. That joint can break during use, leaving the selector unable to hold the gear position the driver chose. Bluecar's updated selector uses a completely metallic rod instead of the earlier mixed metal and plastic construction.
There is no warning sign before failure. After the breakage, the driver will notice that the gear lever no longer works as intended, and the car does not maintain the selected gear position.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Bluecar Bluecar | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 149 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A broken gear shift lever can leave the vehicle immobilized and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the breakage. After it breaks, the gear lever will not work, so stop where it is safe and arrange dealer service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Bluecar dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Bluecar Bluecar is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Bluecar dealer to schedule the free gear shift replacement that fixes the lever that can break and keep the car from holding the intended gear.
- Bring the recall notice if Bluecar mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V004 when you call.
- Ask Bluecar customer service at 1 46 96 44 33 if you need help confirming repair status or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Bluecar technician replaces the gear shift with a newly designed gear lever so the vehicle can hold the intended gear position. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Bluecar has already notified the purchaser identified for this campaign, and the repair has begun. Bluecar's general reimbursement plan is on file, so owners who paid out of pocket for the same gear shift repair before the recall notice should ask Bluecar how to submit documented expenses for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 6, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 6, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 11, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V004?
Recall 16V004 covers 149 2016 Bluecar Bluecar hybrid-electric vehicles with a gear shift lever that can break and stop the car from maintaining the intended gear position. Bluecar will replace the gear shift with a newly designed gear lever for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Bluecar Bluecar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V004. If it is, contact Bluecar or a Bluecar service point to arrange the redesigned gear lever replacement. Reference recall number 16V004 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Bluecar's remedy states that the gear shift replacement is free. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles at the recall repair appointment.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is vehicle immobilization. If the gear shift lever breaks, the vehicle can fail to hold the intended gear position and become immobilized, which increases crash risk. Confirm your VIN first, then arrange the free gear lever replacement if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V004000 |
|---|---|
| Bluecar customer service | 1 46 96 44 33 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V004 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V004000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →