Car Recall Facts and Statistics 2024

In 2024 so far, Chrysler has had the largest number of recalls: 39 in total, affecting more than 2.6 million vehicles and 25 percent of all potentially recalled vehicles. But while that’s the largest number of recalls, Ford had the largest percentage of potentially recalled vehicles: 36 percent, or over 3.6 million vehicles, according to data from the NHTSA.¹

On average, there were 21 recalls per manufacturer in 2024, affecting about 843,000 cars each.

While the number of recalled vehicles and equipment increased overall from 2009 to 2023, it’s not a straight line. Recalls have been up and down since peaking in 2015. On average during this time period, there were over 41 million vehicles recalled in the U.S. per year, with an average year-over-year increase of 14 percent.

This information is the latest available from the NHTSA’s 2023 report on safety recalls, plus the 2024 data available so far as of August 8, 2024.

Recall completion refers to how many vehicles were fixed and are not still on the road with the defect. If a company completes a vehicle recall, it means it either replaced the car, repaired the car, or refunded the consumer to fix the issue.

Based on the 2024 data so far, Chrysler has the highest recall completion rates reported, 59 percent on average. Mercedes-Benz and BMW follow.

Nova Bus had the lowest average reported completion rates in this period of only 18 percent. That’s half the rate of the average across all manufacturers, 36 percent.

What Is a Car Recall?

A car recall is when either a vehicle manufacturer or the federal government, via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), determines that a vehicle doesn’t meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This federal legislation mandates minimum performance requirements for parts of vehicles that affect safety, such as lighting, brakes, and tires.²

If a recall is issued, car manufacturers need to either fix the defect or, in the most extreme cases, repurchase the vehicles so they aren’t on the roads.

Why Do Car Recalls Happen?

Car recalls happen due to clearly identified safety problems. (Emissions issues, in contrast, are handled by the Environmental Protection Agency, not by the NHTSA.) Safety recalls could include issues with the following vehicle parts:

• Steering systems
• Headlights
• Backup cameras³
• Fuel systems
• Accelerators
• Wheels

Delayed backup cameras, fire-causing leaking fuel systems, or broken accelerators could cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle, leading to injuries, property damage, or, in the worst cases, traffic fatalities.

Who Issues Recall Notices?

Vehicle manufacturers are responsible for issuing recall notices to consumers.

Timeliness of Recalls

The manufacturer must issue the recall notice within 60 days of the date it notified the NHTSA of the issue.

Who Pays for Repairs?

The manufacturer should pay for the repairs. If you already paid, however, you can request a reimbursement. Just show a receipt or any documentation of the repair to your manufacturer within 10 days of the original receipt of the recall notice.

So long as the vehicle is less than 16 model years old, the manufacturer will pay for the repairs, including parts and labor, and there is no deadline you have to meet.⁴ Note, though, that the manufacturer will not pay for a rental car while yours is in the shop — that will depend on your car dealer and your insurance coverage, namely whether it includes rental car reimbursement.⁵

How to Check if Your Car Has Been Recalled

Unsure if your car is under a recall? You can check on the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN).

To be even more proactive, sign up for recall notification emails at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/subscriptions.

The Role of the Government, Manufacturers, and Consumers

The government has federal standards on safety for vehicles. However, it’s not the sole entity that can report safety problems to the NHTSA. Car manufacturers should report them, of course, and consumers can as well. If the NHTSA receives enough complaints about the same issue, the agency will investigate the problem and determine whether the issue violates federal safety standards.

From there, the NHTSA will order the manufacturer to fix the issue, which the company can challenge in federal district court. But if the court rules on the side of the NHTSA, the manufacturer must issue recall notices. Of course, if it’s a problem the manufacturer found itself, it still must report it to the NHTSA and correct the issue, notifying consumers in a timely manner.

Once recall notices are sent, a manufacturer has three possible solutions it can execute:

• Repair: The company will cover the cost of the needed repairs.
• Replace: The company will replace the car with an identical or similar vehicle.
• Refund: The company will give the consumer a full refund for the car’s actual cash value, which takes into account depreciation. Learn more about how insurance companies value cars.

If you get a recall notice, don’t ignore it; it could mean there’s an issue that could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Staying on top of recalls is critical for any car owner. While no one wants to be involved in a car recall, at least you won’t have to spend a dime on the repairs.

We analyzed data from the following third parties:

• Consumer Reports
• Kelley Blue Book
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• U.S. National Archives