Most Recalled Cars in America (2008-2022)

Top 10 Most-Recalled Vehicles

These rankings are computed at build time from NHTSA data. Each row links to the full recall and complaint report for that vehicle.

Patterns in the Data

Several patterns emerge when you sort vehicles by recall count. First, recall volume does not correlate neatly with vehicle quality. High-selling models naturally accumulate more recalls because more units are on the road and more eyes are watching. A Honda Civic with three recalls across millions of units sold may actually be more reliable than a niche model with one recall across a small production run.

Second, certain recall categories dominate the list. Airbag recalls — driven largely by the Takata inflator crisis — affect a huge number of vehicles across nearly every manufacturer. This single supplier defect inflated recall counts for vehicles that otherwise had clean records.

Third, recall counts tend to cluster by model year. The 2012-2015 model years appear frequently at the top of the list, partly because enough time has passed for defects to surface but the vehicles are still common enough on the road for NHTSA to act.

Most Common Recall Categories

Across the entire database, the most frequently recalled components include:

• Air Bags — driven by the Takata recall, the largest in US history, affecting tens of millions of vehicles across dozens of manufacturers
• Electrical Systems — software glitches, wiring faults, and battery-related issues are increasingly common as vehicles become more computerised
• Power Train — transmission and drivetrain recalls, particularly affecting CVT-equipped vehicles
• Fuel System — leaks, faulty fuel pumps, and fire-risk defects that often carry "do not drive" advisories
• Steering — electronic power steering failures that can cause sudden loss of assist

What This Means for Buyers

A high recall count should not automatically disqualify a vehicle. What matters is whether the recalls have been addressed. A car with six recalls — all completed — is arguably safer than one with a single open recall the previous owner ignored.

Use the table above as a starting point, then click through to each vehicle's full report. AutoTruth shows you every recall with its description, affected component, and remedy, alongside the owner complaint history and overall trust score.

If you are weighing two vehicles against each other, the AutoTruth comparison tool lets you see recall and complaint counts side by side, making the decision clearer.