Ranked: Automakers With the Most U.S. Safety Recalls

Ranked: Automakers With the Most Safety Recalls in the U.S.

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Modern cars have become very complex machines featuring more safety systems and electronics than ever before. Yet, even after rigorous testing by manufacturers, faults can still arise years down the line.

It’s for this reason that automakers often issue recalls to address safety and performance defects that may result in injuries or death.

To learn more about this topic, we’ve ranked the top 10 automakers with the most safety recalls in the U.S., from 2010 to 2024 (as of August 15). This data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), accessed via Automotive Touchup.

Data and Key Takeaway

The numbers we used to create this graphic are listed in the following table:

From this dataset we can see that Ford has had the most recalls since 2010, with the most common problems being related to powertrain (engine and transmission).

In fact, Ford has issued a number of powertrain-related recalls in 2024. This includes 550,000 F-150 pickup trucks from the 2014 model year because their transmissions can unexpectedly downshift to first gear, and 91,000 models from 2021-2022 for potential failure of their EcoBoost turbo engines.

Why are Airbag Recalls so Common?

You may have noticed that the most common type of recall for many companies in this list is airbag.

This is largely due to the Takata airbag scandal, which triggered the largest U.S.-wide recall in history (42 million cars affected). Over time, these airbags become prone to exploding when deployed, causing injuries and death.

Takata, a Japanese automotive parts company, declared bankruptcy in 2018 due to the recall and is now owned by Joyson Safety Systems, a U.S. company dating back to 1961.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed this post, check out this ranking of the most reliable car brands in the U.S. on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.