Risky vs. Reliable
Car recalls keep happening, and some brands seem to issue them all the time. However, the numbers fluctuate annually based on various factors, including new model releases and number of vehicles produced. Moreover, manufacturers also file for voluntary recalls that may not involve customer-related complaints. So, to keep things fair and balanced, we'll talk about how many times each manufacturer has issued recalls in 2024 alone and the reasons behind most of their recalls—starting with the highest number on the list.
1. Stellantis: 72 recalls (4.8 million vehicles)
Stellantis leads the pack, and it's no surprise. With brands like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram under its umbrella, it has a lot of moving parts. Airbag defects, engine failures, and electrical malfunctions keep this automaker on the recall charts year after year.
2. Ford: 66 recalls (4.8 million vehicles)
Powertrain hiccups, electrical system failures, and whatnot—Ford's lineup isn't immune to issues. With one of the highest sales volumes, even minor issues turn into a huge recall affecting millions of vehicles. Moreover, Ford keeps pushing innovation. So, recalls seem to follow.
3. BMW: 36 recalls (1.8 million vehicles)
Luxury and performance come with their own set of headaches. BMW's recalls often involve airbags and electrical systems, which are vital for safety and convenience. High-end tech is great—until it malfunctions and leads to an unexpected recall.
4. General Motors: 32 recalls (1.4 million vehicles)
Airbag issues, brake malfunctions, and occasional fuel system troubles—GM's recall history shows that even long-established automakers hit bumps. Despite continuous engineering advances, some of these problems feel like déjà vu for owners of Chevy, Sierra, and Cadillac models.
5. Mercedes-Benz: 28 recalls (409,752 vehicles)
The king of luxury is not immune to recalls, either. Mercedes-Benz vehicles face their fair share of electrical gremlins and steering problems. With so much high-tech innovation crammed into their cars, small software bugs have caused industry-wide recalls in 2024.
6. Hyundai: 23 recalls (1.05 million vehicles)
Hyundai, known for reliability, has been climbing the ranks, but faults still keep it in check. Electrical failures and engine-related issues pop up frequently. It was particularly seen in 2024 and affected over 1 million vehicles, including models like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Genesis GV60.
7. Jaguar Land Rover: 21 recalls (123,176 vehicles)
Jaguar Land Rover has a tough reputation and high-tech features, but it looks like the beloved brand needs to focus a little bit more. They issued 21 recalls in 2024 alone, mostly due to battery overheating and software glitches.
8. Kia: 19 recalls (1.22 million vehicles)
Fire hazards and roof molding defects have become major concerns in Kia’s latest models. Even minor issues can lead to large recalls with so many cars on the road. While Kia has improved in quality, new problems continue to surface, yet owner loyalty remains strong.
9. Honda: 18 recalls (3.8 million vehicles)
Honda's reputation for durability doesn't mean it's foolproof. Airbag defects and fuel pump failures have been recurring themes. As a trusted brand, Honda must keep a watchful eye on such safety issues. Thankfully, they are quick to take action.
10. Volkswagen: 17 recalls (1 million vehicles)
VW has seen its fair share of recalls, particularly with airbags and fuel leaks. When things go wrong, they go really wrong with VW. After the 2015 emissions scam, VW has a long way to go in earning our trust, even if their recall instances were lower than those of others in 2024.
On the other end of the spectrum, here are the top ten brands that kept recalls to a minimum in 2024.
1. Polestar: 3 recalls (19 vehicles)
Three recalls don't sound great until you realize only 19 vehicles were affected. That's a level of precision most automakers could only dream of. Polestar's limited production numbers and thorough testing process keep recalls minimal. They are one of the strongest contenders for reliability.
2. Volvo: 3 recalls (304 vehicles)
Volvo is all about safety, and its low recall count proves it. Just three recalls affecting a tiny number of vehicles talk about their rigorous quality control. The Swedish brand's solid engineering and cautious innovation keeps its cars off the recall list.
3. Rivian: 5 recalls (4,883 vehicles)
For a startup, Rivian has done well. As a relatively new player in the EV industry, a few growing pains are expected. While small recalls are common for young brands, it's important to note how Rivian tends to act pretty fast.
4. Subaru: 1 recall (118,173 vehicles)
Subaru’s vehicles rarely face severe or widespread issues, reinforcing its reputation for safety. In 2024, only one recall was reported, though it still affected a significant number of cars. This shows that no automaker is entirely free of defects, but Subaru keeps recalls to a minimum.
5. Lucid: 3 recalls (4,031 vehicles)
Lucid is in the same boat as Rivian—small recall numbers but still working out some early-stage kinks. With complex new technology in their luxury EVs, occasional defects are inevitable. Thankfully, Lucid's quick response and action tell us they are serious about quality.
6. Mazda: 8 recalls (297,941 vehicles)
Mazda's recall count is relatively low, but the number of affected vehicles is much higher. This suggests that when issues pop up, they tend to affect multiple models. Nevertheless, compared to brands with double or triple the recalls, Mazda remains one of the more reliable manufacturers.
7. Tesla: 8 recalls (39,605 vehicles)
Tesla's ability to roll out over-the-air software updates gives it an edge in addressing minor issues quickly. This advantage likely keeps the total number of affected vehicles relatively low. New technology presents challenges, but Tesla continues to manage defects efficiently through its innovative approach.
8. Nissan: 17 recalls (141,748 vehicles)
Nissan is right on the edge between recall-heavy brands and the more dependable ones. Yes, 17 recalls seem like a lot, but the severity of the issues and the total number of affected vehicles are far smaller than brands like VW.
9. Toyota: 16 recalls (1.22 million vehicles)
Toyota's recall count is higher than that of others here, but context matters—it also sells millions of cars and issued only 16 recalls in 2024. Many of them were voluntary, meaning Toyota actively fixes potential issues before they become real problems.
10. Porsche: 13 recalls (78,593 vehicles)
High-performance cars come with high expectations, and while Porsche had more recalls than some on this list, it still keeps things under control. Recalls mostly stem from advanced engineering, and Porsche works hard to keep its luxury models at peak performance.
