The U.S. automotive industry has seen a dynamic start to 2025, particularly in vehicle recalls, both physical and software-based. The recall is part of a critical safety measure, which guarantees that the vehicles on the road maintain a safety and performance standard. This year, the traditional automakers are topping the recall lists, and modern electric car-makers surprisingly fall at the bottom.
The recent statistics show that Ford is the most recalled car company in the United States to date, with 143 recalls so far, ahead of any other brand. Whereas Tesla is still one of the least recalled companies, having only 11 recalls, though it has a big and fast-growing fleet in the U.S.
Ford’s High Recall Count: What It Means
The total number of recall cases seen by Ford is almost three times that of the next car manufacturer in the list. Although the high recall rates may be alarming, they also reflect a positive attitude of the company to actively solve the problems of new and existing models. Ford has recalled various vehicle categories, including trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles, indicating a large portfolio.
In the past, Ford often led the list of recalls, as the number and variety of its products were complicated. In 2025, the recalls are of both mechanical and safety-system repairs. High recall numbers may lead to doubts about the quality control, but they also point towards the transparency and compliance with federal regulatory principles.
Traditional Automakers Fill the Majority of the List
Following Ford, other major automakers with notable recall numbers include:
- FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles): 48 recalls
- General Motors: 26 recalls
- Volkswagen: 23 recalls
- BMW: 20 recalls
- Honda: 19 recalls
- Hyundai: 19 recalls
- Mercedes-Benz: 18 recalls
Most of these recalls consist of conventional system issues like airbag updates, brake system adjustments, fuel system checks, and electronic module fixes. With large legacy fleets spanning decades, these manufacturers naturally face greater variability in vehicle performance and regulatory compliance.
In comparison, new EV players showed some of the lowest recall numbers:
- Volvo: 8 recalls
- Rivian: 6 recalls
- Lucid: 3 recalls
These figures partly reflect smaller fleets and newer vehicles, but also indicate a cleaner quality control pipeline during early-stage manufacturing. Lucid, in particular, recorded just three recalls, which is one of the lowest in the entire industry.
Tesla Among the Least Recalled Automakers in 2025
The number of recalls that Tesla has issued is 11 in total, both software and physical, which puts it at the bottom of the list. Tesla, in comparison to the conventional automakers, has an advantage of extensive software integration, which allows quick and efficient OTA corrections without the need to visit the physical workshop.
Although Tesla has often been questioned about its Autopilot updates and camera calibrations over time, most of them are introduced in digital form, which has minimal impact on the owners. The reduced number of recalls also indicates the fact that Tesla has fewer physical components than internal-combustion cars.
