Who Issues Auto Recalls?

Automakers are often hesitant to issue recalls because doing so acknowledges a flaw in their vehicles and can damage their reputation. Still, when a safety defect threatens drivers or passengers, a recall becomes necessary.

Recalls may be initiated directly by a manufacturer once a defect is identified, or they may come after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency enforces the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which cover a range of safety features, including airbags, seatbelts, and windshield defrosting systems. When vehicles fail to meet these standards, the NHTSA can step in to recommend or require a recall.

One of the largest safety actions in U.S. history involved Takata airbags, which were installed in tens of millions of vehicles across several brands. The inflators could explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, leading to injuries and deaths. More recently, Hyundai and Kia recalled over 3 million vehicles for engine fire risks, urging owners to park outside until repairs were made.

Automakers Regularly Issuing Auto Recalls

Every manufacturer in the auto industry has issued recalls for dangerous products at some point in their history. Some auto defects clearly create more road hazards than others, though any defective car or truck may increase the risk of accident and injury. Companies that have been targeted in injury and product liability lawsuits include the following:

• American brands: Ford Motor, General Motors, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Lincoln
• Japanese brands: Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Nissan, Mazda
• European brands: BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo
• Electric and emerging brands: Tesla, Rivian, Lucid
• Global groups: Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis), Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Maserati

How to Check If Your Vehicle Has Been Recalled

The fastest way to see if your car is affected by a recall is by using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This 17-character code is found on the driver’s side dashboard, inside the driver’s side door, or on registration and insurance documents.

Ways to check include:

• NHTSA VIN Lookup Tool: Enter your VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall page to view open recalls.
  
  
• Manufacturer’s Website: Most automakers, including Ford, Honda, Toyota, and others, maintain VIN-specific recall search tools.
  
  
• Authorized Dealerships: Dealers can confirm whether your vehicle is under recall and arrange repairs.
  
  
• Official Notices: Manufacturers are required to notify owners, though mailed notices do not always reach second-hand owners or families of older vehicles.

Even with these systems in place, millions of defective vehicles remain on the road each year because drivers are unaware of recalls, or repairs are delayed.

Common Injuries in Auto Recall Accidents

Many auto-related injuries tied to defective vehicles are preventable. When a part fails or a design flaw is overlooked, the consequences can be severe. Automakers and suppliers may be held liable when their products cause accidents and injuries.

Common injuries in auto recall accidents include:

• Orthopedic injuries such as broken bones, torn ligaments, or long-term joint problems.
• Burn injuries caused by fuel leaks, engine fires, or electrical shorts.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) resulting from failed airbags, roof crush incidents, or severe collisions.
• Neck and spinal injuries, including whiplash, herniated discs, or paralysis.
• Crush injuries in rollovers or when roofs and door structures collapse.
• Internal organ damage from high-impact crashes or defective restraint systems.
• Severe lacerations and scarring from shattered glass, sharp metal, or malfunctioning airbags.

These injuries often require long-term medical care and can lead to permanent disability, making it critical to hold manufacturers accountable.

Auto Recalls: Dangerous Auto Defects

Over the last decade, nearly every major automaker has faced large-scale recalls tied to defects that put drivers and passengers at risk. Some involve millions of vehicles and span multiple model years. Below are examples of dangerous defects that have triggered recalls and lawsuits.

Ford Motor Company

• In 2025, Ford issued major recalls covering:
  • 100,000 Ford Rangers (2024–2026) for defective side curtain airbags.
  • 312,000 vehicles, including F-150s, Broncos, and Lincoln Navigators, for brake booster defects.
  • Nearly 850,000 SUVs and trucks for faulty fuel pumps linked to stalling.
  • 700,000 Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs for cracked fuel injectors that increased the risk of engine fires.
• By mid-2025, Ford had already issued more than 100 separate recalls, affecting over 7 million vehicles.
• Previous recalls included over 1 million 2015–2017 F-Series trucks for defective door latches and actuator cables.

Hyundai and Kia

• Hyundai and Kia have faced repeated fire-related recalls. In 2023, both automakers recalled more than 3 million vehicles for brake fluid leaks that could spark engine fires.
• Earlier recalls included 180,000 Hyundai Tucson SUVs (2019–2021) for anti-lock brake circuit defects that caused fires even when parked.
• Kia also recalled over 9,000 Stinger sports cars due to engine fire risks, adding to ongoing problems associated with oil leaks and engine failures.

Tesla

• In 2024–2025, Tesla recalled thousands of Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles for issues ranging from seat fastener defects and steering system failures to faulty hood latches.
• Earlier recalls included Model S and Model X vehicles for issues with the parking brake and improperly adjusted seatbelts.

BMW

• In 2024, BMW recalled more than 390,000 vehicles in the U.S. for airbag and electrical issues.
• Past recalls included 672,000 3-Series cars for short-circuit fire risks and 1.6 million diesel vehicles worldwide for coolant leaks that could ignite engine fires.
• The BMW i3 electric car was also recalled for a higher risk of neck injury in frontal crashes.

Honda

• Honda continues to be one of the largest automakers affected by Takata airbag inflator recalls, which have stretched into 2024 and impacted millions of vehicles. These airbags can rupture and spray metal fragments, causing severe injuries or death.
• Previous recalls included 1.1 million Honda Accords for fire risks linked to battery electrical shorts, and Honda Odyssey minivans for rear seat latch failures.

Fiat Chrysler (Stellantis)

• In 2025, Stellantis recalled Jeep Wranglers for tire pressure monitoring defects and Dodge Journey SUVs for rearview camera failures.
• Earlier recalls included nearly 4 million vehicles in 2017 for defective roll sensors, faulty oil cooler lines, and airbag wiring issues. Models affected included the Ram pickup, Dodge Charger, Challenger SRT Hellcat, Chrysler 300, Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi

• These brands have faced multiple recalls tied to fuel leaks and fire risks. A 2017 NHTSA investigation uncovered fuel flange defects linked to supplier Continental Automotive Systems.

What to Do If Your Vehicle Has Been Recalled

If your vehicle is included in a recall, prompt action is important:

1. Schedule repairs immediately. Recall repairs must be performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
   
   
2. Follow safety instructions. If the notice advises against driving the vehicle, arrange for towing to the dealer rather than risking further use.
   
   
3. Keep documentation. Save recall notices, repair orders, and correspondence. These records may support a claim if the defect caused an accident.
   
   
4. Check for multiple recalls. Vehicles can be subject to more than one recall. Continue checking for new recalls even after a repair.
   
   
5. Call a car recall attorney. If you were injured in an accident linked to the defect, even before the recall was issued, you may still be eligible for compensation. 

Repairs alone do not address the impact on those already injured. Legal claims may be the only way to recover for medical expenses, lost income, and wrongful death damages when a defect leads to serious harm.

Manufacturer Liability for Car Recalls and Defects

When a defective vehicle or component causes an accident, the automaker or supplier may be held liable for the damages. Injured parties can pursue compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Many auto recall cases stem from defective designs rather than mistakes during manufacturing. A vehicle may be considered defectively designed if its original blueprint creates unreasonable safety risks. Courts often apply a “risk–benefit” analysis to determine whether safer and more practical designs were available at the time.

Examples of design-related defects include:

• Faulty braking systems,
• Defective seat belt buckles,
• Automotive software failures, and
• Airbag deployment defects.

Although federal regulations set minimum safety standards for automobiles, compliance does not always shield manufacturers from liability. If a company ignores known hazards or delays a recall, it can still be held accountable under product liability laws.

Automakers must be held to strict safety standards so consumers are protected on the road. Recalls, lawsuits, and regulatory oversight by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) all play a role in ensuring dangerous products are removed before more injuries occur.

If you believe a defective vehicle contributed to your accident, consult an experienced auto recall attorney to evaluate your legal options.

Auto Recall Settlements

When a defective vehicle causes an accident, the automaker or component supplier may be responsible for the full range of damages. Compensation can include:

• Property damage, such as a totaled vehicle;
• Past and future medical costs;
• Lost wages and loss of earning potential;
• Pain and suffering;
• Long-term disability or permanent impairment; and
• Wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and loss of financial support for surviving family members

In many cases, recalls are not announced until after serious injuries or deaths have occurred. Automakers may resist acknowledging problems until lawsuits and regulators force corrective action.

The type of settlement available depends on factors such as the nature of the defect, the severity of the injuries, and how clearly the manufacturer or distributor can be shown to be liable. According to the Martindale-Nolo Study, personal injury victims who hired an attorney received nearly 3 times more compensation than those who proceeded without representation, even after fees.