Automakers With The Most Recalls For 2025

In a year that will go down as one of the most active ever for auto safety actions, 2025 produced an extraordinary number of vehicle recall campaigns across the U.S. automotive industry. According to data compiled from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filings and reported by Yahoo Autos, automakers issued hundreds of recalls covering millions of vehicles, highlighting the growing complexity of modern vehicles and the increased scrutiny placed on manufacturers.

Ford Motor Company led the industry by a wide margin, issuing 152 recall campaigns in 2025. That total was more than double the next closest automaker and represents one of the highest single-year recall counts ever recorded. Ford’s recalls spanned a wide range of issues, including software malfunctions, backup camera failures, powertrain defects and other safety-related concerns affecting multiple model lines.

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, ranked second with 53 recalls. Many of those actions involved electrical systems, powertrain components and high-voltage battery issues, reflecting the increasing complexity of both gas-powered and electrified vehicles.

General Motors followed with 27 recalls, while Volkswagen issued 24 recall campaigns during the year. Several other automakers clustered closely together, each dealing with a significant number of safety actions tied to electronics, fuel systems and driver-assistance technology.

In order, the automakers with the most U.S. recall campaigns in 2025 were:

1. Ford Motor Company – 152 recalls
2. Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram) – 53 recalls
3. General Motors – 27 recalls
4. Volkswagen – 24 recalls
5. Mercedes-Benz – 21 recalls
6. Honda – 21 recalls
7. BMW – 21 recalls
8. Hyundai – 21 recalls
9. Toyota – 15 recalls
10. Tesla – 11 recalls

The rankings reflect the number of individual recall campaigns announced during the calendar year, not the total number of vehicles affected. In many cases, a single recall can involve hundreds of thousands or even millions of vehicles, depending on the scope of the issue.

Safety experts caution that a high recall count does not automatically indicate lower vehicle quality. Instead, it often reflects a manufacturer’s willingness to identify problems early and take corrective action. Modern vehicles rely heavily on software, electronic control modules and advanced driver-assistance systems, all of which introduce new potential failure points compared with vehicles of the past.  As I have told you on the show, there is no correlation between recalls and long-term reliability.

Regulatory pressure has also increased. Automakers are expected to act quickly when a defect is identified, particularly when it involves visibility systems, braking, steering or electronic safety features. In many cases, manufacturers are issuing recalls proactively to avoid enforcement actions or civil penalties.

For consumers, the surge in recalls serves as an important reminder to stay informed. Federal law requires automakers to repair safety recalls at no cost to the owner, but recall notices do not always reach second or third owners. Industry experts recommend that drivers periodically check their vehicle identification number to ensure all recall repairs have been completed.

While Ford’s recall total dominated the headlines in 2025, analysts emphasize that transparency and timely repairs matter more than raw numbers. As vehicles continue to evolve with more advanced technology, recalls are likely to remain a routine part of the automotive landscape. For now, 2025 stands as a clear example of how safety oversight and accountability continue to shape the modern auto industry.