Cars, Recalls, Racing and More: A Busy Week in Auto News

MapQuest has added a new feature that shows where automated license-plate reader cameras are located. The feature includes equipment from Flock and Leonardo, according to The Drive.

Volkswagen is working on a fire risk in the battery packs of its ID.4 electric SUVs. The company is using a software update to deal with the problem. The update limits the ID.4 battery to 80% state-of-charge, which is the amount of power stored in a battery.

Subaru showed a prototype electric vehicle in Japan that the company built in-house. The prototype uses the body of a prior-gen Outback wagon, which means an earlier generation of the model. It has front and rear motors that together produce 509 horsepower. Subaru expects some of the project's technologies to reach the market around 2029.

Ford is recalling fewer than 3,000 F-150 pickups from model years 2025 through 2027. The front seats may not be secured properly. This is Ford's 80th recall in 2026 so far.

Rivian has opened its Autonomy Early Access Program, which lets customers test semi-autonomous driving features. For now, the program is invite-only. Wider public release of these features is expected next year.

A Toyota Canada executive said the company is committed to making cars in Canada for the long term. Toyota is ramping up production of the Lexus NX at its Cambridge, Ontario plant. The Lexus NX will join the RX and the Toyota RAV4, which are already built at that plant.

A special edition Corvette C8 called the V8 Tourer will be sold in Japan, and only 15 units will be made. It has a Red Mist Metallic body with silver stripes. Its V8 engine is carried over from last year, rather than the new 6.7-liter engine used in Grand Sport models.

There were also several racing wins to report. Kaden Honeycutt won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Phoenix for Tricon Garage. Jesse Love won the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix for Richard Childress Racing. Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix for 23XI Racing.

In endurance racing, Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa won the FIA WEC 6 Hours of Barcelona for Toyota Racing. At the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals Finals, Antron Brown won Top Fuel, J.R. Todd won Funny Car, and Dallas Glenn won Pro Stock.