Just as we bid farewell to 2024, car owners across the nation received alarming news. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a recall of approximately 12,000 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks due to mechanical problems that could cause drivers to lose control, leading to potential accidents. This recall marked the end of a year fraught with vehicle safety issues, despite a decline in Ford’s recall numbers compared to 2023.
In 2024, over 8.6 million cars, trucks, and SUVs were recalled in the United States, with Tesla leading the charge by recalling a staggering 5,135,991 vehicles. Their recalls were spread across 15 campaigns, seven of which affected the highly-discussed Cybertruck. Meanwhile, Ford’s recall figures were not far behind, with 4.8 million vehicles recalled in 67 different incidents.
The year saw a total of over 360 recalls, implicating nearly 8.65 million vehicles. Alongside Tesla and Ford, other major automakers like Stellantis, Honda, and General Motors also had significant recall numbers. Stellantis recalled 4.8 million units, while Honda and General Motors recalled 3.8 million and 1.9 million units, respectively. BMW, Toyota, Hyundai, and Volkswagen Group also featured on the list with recalls affecting over a million vehicles each.
Recalls are typically prompted when a component in a vehicle is deemed a safety hazard or fails to meet set standards. Commonly problematic components include seat belts, brakes, electrical systems, tires, and fuel pumps. While some recalls address minor issues, serious recalls like ‘Do Not Drive’ orders, which advise owners not to use their vehicles, are particularly concerning. The ‘Park Outside’ recalls, usually due to fire risks, add to the seriousness, suggesting that owners should not park these vehicles in garages or near buildings.
Perhaps the most infamous of these recalls involves defective airbags from Takata, which have been responsible for numerous fatalities and injuries. With millions of affected vehicles still potentially on the road, the NHTSA warns of escalating dangers as these airbags age. Automakers are required to notify owners about recalls, but contacting subsequent owners of used vehicles remains challenging, leading to many unresolved recalls.
Innovatively, some brands, notably Tesla, now address certain defects through over-the-air software updates, sparing owners the inconvenience of dealership visits. The NHTSA provides a free online service for vehicle owners to check recall status through their website, using the vehicle identification number (VIN) for information on recalls specific to their car models.
Among the largest recall campaigns of 2024, Tesla addressed 2.19 million units across various models for insufficient warning light labels. Ford recalled 1.89 million Explorers due to windshield pillar trim issues. Honda’s recalls covered potentially faulty steering and fuel pumps, among others, totaling over 3 million vehicles. Stellantis faced challenges with backup displays and anti-lock braking systems, among other issues, affecting millions of vehicles.
To aid consumers, the NHTSA has created a user-friendly database that allows Americans to verify if their vehicles are at risk due to unaddressed recalls. Additionally, their SaferCar app further simplifies the process by alerting registered owners to new recalls. Despite these advancements in recall management, the task of dealing with such massive numbers of defective vehicles continues to strain manufacturers.
The surge in vehicle recalls throughout 2024 underlines the significant safety challenges facing the automotive industry. As manufacturers strive to improve vehicle reliability and safety, consumers must remain vigilant and proactive in responding to recall notices. By doing so, they contribute not only to their own safety but also to the overall enhancement of road safety standards.
Source: Forbes
