Study Shows Which Vehicles Have The Most & Least Number of Lifetime Recalls

For drivers, vehicle recalls are hardly a pleasant experience. Sure, chances are you won’t have to pay to have the issue fixed by your local dealership. But depending on the issue, you may find yourself without a vehicle for a few hours to a few days. According to a study conducted by iSeeCars, there were over 400 recalls issued in 2022, affecting more than 25 million vehicles. The figures were even higher in 2021 where over 1,000 recalls were sent out, which affected more than 35 million vehicles.

Cars, like any other machine, can wear down over time and use. With that, issues regarding safety and/or functionality can come up. If the same issue happens to a particular model enough times, that’s when a recall gets sent out to either fix or prevent it from happening again.

But in this same study by iSeeCars, the likeliness of a recall can depend on the specific model involved. By analyzing data regarding vehicle recalls provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for models of the last 10 model years to determine the estimated number of recalls it will see in a 30-year lifespan.

The 25 Models with the Most Recalls

On average, vehicles of all makes and models will see four recalls in its lifetime. But based on the data, the most recalled vehicle on the list was the Tesla Model Y with a projected 62 recalls, which is more than 15 times the average amount. Tesla, despite being fully electric, takes up most of the top slots on the list. The Telsa Model 3 takes the third slot with a projected 56 recalls. The Tesla Model X is in fourth place with 27 lifetime recalls, and the Telsa Model S trails behind in fifth place with 26 recalls.

The only non-electric vehicle in the top 5 spots is the Porsche Panamera coupe, which placed second on the list with 61 lifetime recalls.

The 33 Models with the Least Recalls

As it was previously mentioned, the overall average number of recalls a vehicle will see is four. While the previous list detailed which models are seeing an above-average number of recall notices, there is also an impressive list of models that will probably never see one in their lifetime. Brands like Mercedes-Benz have nine models earning places on the list for least-recalled cars, as well as Toyota & Lexus which also have nine models making the list with lower-than-average lifetime recalls.