The Recall Realm

iSeeCars crunched the numbers from a report conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine which faulty fleet had the highest recall rates over a 30-year lifespan. The study evaluated vehicles from the last ten model-years to find:

• Tesla was the biggest offender, with their Model Y alone estimated to have a staggering 62 recalls over its lifetime.
• Mercedes-Benz leads the least-recalled list, followed closely by Toyota and Lexus.
• 33 models are projected to experience 1 or fewer recalls.
• 25 models are projected to experience at least 10 recalls.

With all these anticipated recalls, it’s a good thing OTA (over-the-air) updates are becoming more common cause ain’t nobody got time for that. OTA updates will help dealers and automakers alike ensure safer vehicles at a speedier pace.

According to global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, US automakers will save $1.5B by 2028 using OTA update capabilities to remotely fix recalled vehicles. The cost savings are going to be essential as software-related recalls become more prevalent due to increased technological complexity and its integration into critical safety functions. 

In 2022 alone, nearly 10M cars were recalled in the United States with almost half of them requiring in-person updates from a car dealer. 

Recall Round-Up:

• Subaru is recalling 4K of its 2023 Imprezas due to dodgy brake lights. Oh, and that teensy issue with the car sometimes shifting out of park without pressing the brake pedal. 😳

• Kia issued a recall for nearly 109K of their 2023 model-year fleet equipped with a digital instrument cluster as their 4.3 inch screens have been experiencing booting and display complications. 🥾
• Flawed Takata airbags from 19 different automakers are still plaguing car dealers and owners alike, with 11M still requiring replacement as of 2022.