Week of August 17, 2026
Here’s what Inland Empire and High Desert drivers should know for the week of August 17, 2026. Car Dogs is your best friends in Car Everything, with recalls, prices, financing and California driving costs on the radar.
Story 1
Toyota recalled 508,354 model-year 2025-2026 Camry Hybrids in the U.S. because the 7-inch driver display may remain blank at startup. The defect can deactivate turn signals, hazard lights and warning buzzers on LE, SE and Nightshade trims, while XLE and XSE models are not affected.
The Car Dogs take: Check your VIN before driving an affected Camry Hybrid and follow Toyota’s recall instructions.
Story 2
Ford recalled 86,543 Mustang Mach-E vehicles from model years 2023 through 2025. Improperly installed rear side quarter-window glass trim could detach while driving and pose a threat to other road users.
The Car Dogs take: Check your VIN and arrange the recall repair if your Mustang Mach-E is included.
Story 3
Kelley Blue Book data showed the average new-vehicle transaction price reached a 2026 high of $49,855 in July, up 1.9% from a year earlier but below the December 2025 peak of $50,612. July sales fell 1.5% year over year as buyers continued moving toward lower-priced vehicles.
The Car Dogs take: Build the full out-the-door deal before shopping so you can judge the vehicle price alongside every fee.
Story 4
CarsDirect found August 2026 new-vehicle offers with 0% financing for as long as 72 months. One example is the 2026 Lucid Gravity, offered with 0% financing for 72 months plus $16,500 in bonus cash.
The Car Dogs take: Compare the promotional APR with any available rebate before choosing how to finance.
Story 5
An August 17 report says California is among five states with vehicle-registration or plate-retention requirements linked to insurance or financial responsibility. The requirement affects California drivers seeking to keep their registration current and retain their plates.
The Car Dogs take: Confirm your insurance or financial-responsibility documentation is current before handling registration.
Story 6
California regular gasoline averaged $5.428 per gallon on August 10, down 6.7 cents from the prior week. That was $1.162 higher than a year earlier, while the national average was $4.006 per gallon.
The Car Dogs take: Combine errands and keep tires properly serviced to reduce fuel use while prices remain elevated.
Written by the Car Dogs team. General information only — your own numbers depend on your vehicle, credit and where you live.
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