In 2024, automobile manufacturers recalled millions of vehicle throughout the year to address various issues, primarily related to the safety of drivers and passengers, affecting millions of consumers.

The automotive industry is expected to reach a value of $5.6 trillion by 2030, according to a report by McKinsey & Company. This growth is largely driven by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), which are replacing traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Additionally, the market is experiencing an increase in demand for connected, autonomous, and smart cars, marking a new era in transportation.

The Affected Brands

Throughout the year, the five recalls with the highest number of potentially affected vehicles came from four different automakers: Tesla, Ford, Honda, and FCA US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Each of these recalls affected over 1 million vehicles, with one recall impacting over 2 million vehicles.

According to NHTSA data, Tesla’s recall affected more than 2.19 million vehicles. This recall was registered in late January when Tesla recalled 2.19 million vehicles due to the font size of warning lights for the braking, parking, and anti-lock braking systems being smaller than required by federal safety standards.

Tesla implemented an over-the-air software update for the 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, and 2019-2024 Model Y vehicles to increase the font size and resolve the issue, according to NHTSA.

Another significant event was Ford’s recall of nearly 1.89 million vehicles. In January, Ford recalled nearly 1.89 million of its 2011-2019 Explorer SUVs due to a potential issue with A-pillar trim molding along the “right and left sides of the windshield,” according to the recall report.

The trim on the recalled SUVs “could detach from the vehicle,” the automaker stated at the time. Ford linked the potential issue to the trim retention clips, which may not have been “properly secured due to improper assembly or repair.”

An estimated 5% of the recalled population was affected, according to the report. When the company recalled the SUVs, it stated that the issue had not caused any accidents or injuries.

Returning to Tesla, the company also recalled approximately 1.85 million vehicles. According to NHTSA, the July recall of approximately 1.85 million Model 3, Model S, and Model X vehicles from the 2021-2024 model years, and Model Y vehicles from the 2020-2024 model years, was due to software that may not detect an unlatched hood.

“Driving unknowingly with an unlatched hood can cause the hood to fully open, obstructing the driver’s view, which increases the risk of a collision,” the recall report stated at the time.

Tesla said it issued an over-the-air software update that “detects an open hood and provides a user interface notification to the customer about the status of the open hood” as a solution starting in mid-June. No dealership visit was required.

Lastly, Honda recalled about 1.69 million vehicles in October, including 2022-2025 Honda Civic Sedan models, 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan, 2022-2025 Honda Civic Hatchback models, 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Hatchback, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V models, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2025 Honda CR-V Fuel Cell, 2023-2025 Honda HR-V, 2023-2025 Acura Integra, and 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S. The recall was due to a potentially “incorrectly manufactured helical steering gear wheel.”

The issue was that the helical gear wheel and gear in the recalled vehicles could potentially experience “increased friction,” making steering more difficult and requiring additional effort, the automaker stated at the time.

The first report of the issue occurred in September 2021. However, no injuries or deaths were reported, according to the October recall report.

Honda told owners to have dealerships “replace the helical gear spring with an improved part and redistribute or add grease” to the recalled vehicles to fix the issue.

Additionally, some 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica models, 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer, and some 2022 model year Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles, along with 2022-2023 Ram Promasters, were among the vehicles recalled, according to the recall report.

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