BizzyCar released its Q4 and Year-End 2024 vehicle recall trends report, detailing key recall data that shaped the year. Most notably, Tesla led in recalls in 2024, with 5.1 million vehicles recalled. While recall numbers dropped in 2024 (27 million) compared to 2023 (33 million), millions of vehicles from previous years still need repairs. More than one in four vehicles on U.S. roads—totaling 72.7 million—carry at least one open recall.

2024 Vehicle Recall Trends: Over 27 Million Vehicles Recalled

Despite the decline, recall numbers remain high, revealing persistent safety concerns. Automakers recalled 6.1 million vehicles in Q4 2024 alone.

• Tesla Led in Recalls, Resolved via OTA Updates: Tesla recalled 5.1 million vehicles, all repaired through Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. The NHTSA classifies these fixes as recalls, even though they required no physical repairs.
• Electrical Systems Topped the List of Recalled Components: Automakers recalled 6.3 million vehicles due to electrical issues. This was the most common problem in 2024.
• Four Automakers Accounted for 85% of Q4 Recalls: Honda, Chrysler/Stellantis, Tesla, and General Motors led in recalls, emphasizing concentrated safety challenges.
• More Recalls Resolved with OTA Updates: Automakers fixed over 33% of recalls in 2024 via OTA updates, up from 21% in 2023.

Ford’s Recall Reduction Shows Quality Improvements

One of the most notable shifts in 2024 vehicle recall trends was Ford’s significant improvement. In 2022, Ford issued 8.7 million recalls, but by 2024, that number fell to 4.1 million—a 50% reduction.

In Q4 2024, Ford issued just 76,000 recalls, a sharp contrast to its Q1 peak of 2.2 million.

“This improvement reflects Ford’s renewed focus on quality assurance, proactive defect detection, and streamlined production processes. By addressing key issues earlier in the manufacturing cycle, Ford has demonstrated a commitment to building safer, more reliable vehicles,” said BizzyCar Founder and CEO, Ryan Maher.

Largest Recalls from Q4 2024

The 2024 vehicle recall trends report also outlines the biggest recalls from Q4:

• Honda: 2,250,000 vehicles (2021-2024 Accord, CR-V) – Faulty fuel injectors may cause a fire risk due to potential fuel leaks.
• Chrysler/Stellantis: 1,150,000 vehicles (2022-2024 Ram 1500, Jeep Cherokee) – ABS software errors could disable stability control, violating federal safety standards.
• Tesla: 696,787 vehicles (2023 Model 3, Model Y). An OTA update fixed a software bug that caused intermittent loss of braking assistance.
• General Motors: 615,000 vehicles (2024 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra). A defective electronic brake control module could prevent warning lights from activating.
• Hyundai: 450,000 vehicles (2020-2023 Tucson, Santa Fe) – A potential short circuit in the ABS could increase fire risks.

How BizzyCar Supports Recall Management

“These trends reveal a concerning landscape in automotive safety with widespread defects impacting millions of vehicles. As vehicles become more complex, BizzyCar’s proactive recall management platform remains a vital tool for safeguarding drivers, restoring consumer trust, and supporting dealerships in delivering exceptional service experiences,” said Maher.