Recall Alert: Bugatti Recalls Million-Dollar Hypercars Over 2 Serious Failures
Since Bugatti produces its cars in tiny quantities, chances are you’ll never see one rolling down the road. As a result, it’s even rarer to see the brand recall any of its hypercars. Despite this, the French carmaker has just issued a safety recall for the Chiron, Chiron Sport, and Divo models. According to Motor1, one of the recalls could potentially lead to a fairly serious accident.
Which Bugatti models are affected?
Since Bugatti is a small carmaker, its various models share the same overall architecture, tech, and even powertrain. As a result, when one is affected by an issue, several models suffer. In this particular recall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covered by Motor1, there are a total of 77 cars affected. The first and largest batch consists of the Bugatti Chiron and Chiron Sport models built between 2017 and 2020. Both of these models are powered by a quad-turbocharged 8-liter W16 engine. As you’d expect from such a massive engine, it develops just under 1,500 hp. Power is then sent via a dual-clutch transmission to an all-wheel-drive system.
The second batch of cars actually consists of one of Bugatti’s most exclusive models with the Divo and some Chirons produced in 2020. According to Forbes, just 40 Divos will be produced for an eye-watering base price of $5.5 million. Since the arrival of COVID-19, production of the limited edition model has almost stopped completely. As a result, Motor1 reports that there are just 7 2020 Divos and Chirons involved in this latest recall. Like the Chiron and Chiron Sport, the Divo utilizes the same quad-turbo engine, although it has to push around 77 fewer pounds in the sporty limited edition.
What is wrong with these hypercars?
Now that we know which Bugatti’s are affected, let’s dive into what’s actually wrong with them. According to Motor1, the main flaw is supposedly fixable via a software update. Essentially, the problem occurs when you drive the car in one of the sportiest handling modes. The NHTSA found that just switching the vehicle on and off doesn’t automatically reset the electronic stability system.
The result is that buyers can switch on their million-dollar hypercar and accidentally be in a setting that allows for more slip and less traction control. According to Motor1 and the NHTSA, this fault, combined with a 1,500-hp Bugatti with cold tires, could potentially result in a serious accident.
The second and equally serious problem affects 7 2020 Bugatti Divo and Chiron models. In short, Motor1 reports that the rear left driveshaft can break under certain circumstances. As you’d expect, the French carmaker offers a fix free of cost to owners.
How much do these cars cost?
Experiencing car problems is aggravating no matter what you’re driving. However, when you consider just how much these Bugatti’s cost, it may just sting a little extra. According to Car and Driver, the base model Chiron starts at around $3 million for starters. However, according to Car and Driver, the upgraded Chiron Sport carries a significant premium, raising the price to around $3.3 million. Lastly, the Divo we covered earlier is the most expensive, at around $5.5 million, says Forbes.
