Automotive Recall Alert: 8.6 Million Vehicles Recalled in Q4 2025

The BizzyCar Q4 2025 Recall Report delivers a comprehensive account of the evolving safety and quality landscape in the U.S. automotive industry. Year-to-date (Q1-Q4 2025), recalls impacted approximately 28.4 million vehicles, approximately 3% higher than overall 2024 recall numbers. In contrast with 2024, which saw peak recall activity at the start of the year, 2025 had a historically low Q1 before rising sharply in Q2 and maintaining momentum in Q3 and Q4.

As vehicles become more software-driven and dependent on advanced electronics, recalls continue to shift toward camera systems, ADAS features, and digitally controlled safety components. This report highlights the brands, components, and campaigns that defined Q4 2025 and the year in total. It also examines the role of Over-the-Air (OTA) updates alongside the continued importance of dealership-based recall service.

BizzyCar Q4 2025 Recall Report Highlights

Total Recalls:

In Q4 2025, more than 8.6 million vehicles were recalled, representing a modest increase from the 8.5 million reported in Q3 and slightly below NHTSA’s year end adjusted Q3 total of 8.8 million. 

Ford Leads for Q4 and 2025:

Ford once again led all automakers in vehicles affected, closing out 2025 as the most-recalled OEM for the fourth straight quarter. Ford’s total vehicle recalls for both the quarter and year exceeded those of its closest competitors, Toyota and Chrysler, combined.

Top Recall Issues:

Back Over Prevention was the leading recalled category in Q4, impacting 4,532,030 vehicles. Electrical System issues followed at 1,167,899 vehicles, with Power Train (616,971) and Engine and Engine Cooling (420,172) also representing major portions of the quarter’s recall activity. Visibility-related defects accounted for an additional 280,412 vehicles.

Safety Concerns:

All vehicle recalls issued in Q4 addressed safety-related defects that, if left unresolved, could increase the risk of a crash, injury, or fire. The quarter also included three “Park Outside” advisories covering over 372,000 vehicles, the vast majority from Stellantis. Two “Do Not Drive” advisories impacted 5,388 vehicles.

OTA Updates:

Over-the-air remedies played a similar role in Q4 2025 as in Q3, addressing just over 15% of total vehicle recalls. Approximately 1.3 million vehicles were OTA-eligible in Q4, spread over 8 manufacturers and 11 campaigns. 

BizzyCar Q4 2025 Recall Report

Total Recalls and Vehicles Affected:

• Total Recalls Issued in Q4 2025: 123 recalls
• Total Vehicles Affected in Q4 2025: 8,604,735 vehicles
• YTD 2025 Total Vehicles Affected (Q1-Q4): 28,440,940 vehicles
  
  

Q4 2025 Recalls Issued by Brand 

• Ford: 35 recalls
• Stellantis: 14 recalls
• BMW: 9 recalls
• General Motors: 8 recalls
• Toyota: 7 recalls
• Hyundai: 7 recalls
• Honda: 7 recalls
• Volkswagen/Audi: 6 recalls
• Nissan: 5 recalls
• Mercedes-Benz: 5 recalls
• Tesla: 4 recalls
• Kia: 3 recalls
• Lucid: 3 recalls
• Volvo: 2 recalls
• Jaguar Land Rover: 1 recall
• Rivian: 1 recall
• Porsche: 1 recall
• Lamborghini: 1 recall
• Bentley: 1 recall
• Mazda: 1 recall
• Maserati: 1 recall
• Subaru: 1 recall
  
  

Q4 2025 Vehicles Affected by Brand 

Ford Leads in Vehicle Recalls for the Year

Ford closed out 2025 as the clear leader in U.S. recall volume. In Q4 alone, Ford represented 35.9% of all vehicle recalls, extending a trend that began in the back half of the year as several large-scale safety and technology campaigns moved into the market. 

Already at 40.6% of all industry recalls YTD by the end of Q2, Ford’s quarterly recall share surged to 59.3% in Q3, driven largely by high-impact campaigns tied to cameras, powertrain systems, and other safety-critical electronics. It ended the year with 45.3% of industry recall volume, representing a total 12.9 million vehicles. 

Dealerships best positioned to move quickly, communicate clearly, and deliver smooth recall experiences will turn this wave of safety repairs into lasting customer relationships and future service revenue.

Top Components Recalled in Q4 2025

10 Largest Recalls of Q4 2025 

Park Outside and Do Not Drive Advisories 

Park Outside:

• Stellantis: High Voltage Battery May Fail and Cause Fire, 320,068 vehicles
• Hyundai: Tow Hitch Wiring Harness May Short Circuit, 51,587 vehicles
• Volkswagen: High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire, 629 vehicles

Do Not Drive:

• BMW: Driver’s Side Front Air Bag Inflator May Explode, 5361 vehicles
• Volkswagen: Wheel May Detach from Vehicle, 27 vehicles

OTA Updates in Q4 2025 

1,306,836 vehicles, about 15% of all vehicles recalled in Q4 2025, can be repaired via Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates.

Brands with OTA-eligible recalls in Q4 2025:

• Ford: 590,739 vehicles
  
  
• Volvo: 413,151 vehicles
  
  
• General Motors: 81,177 vehicles
  
  
• Nissan: 64,085 vehicles
  
  
• Tesla: 63,619 vehicles
  
  
• BMW: 36,922 vehicles
  
  
• Rivian: 34,824 vehicles
  
  
• Lucid: 22,319 vehicles

17,304,819 vehicles have been addressed via OTA updates since Q1 2022, representing 15% of all recalled vehicles in that time frame.

In-Person Visits Still Matter in 2026

Despite OTA adoption, in-person recall repairs remain critical because they create opportunities that remote fixes cannot:

• Vehicle Inspections: Technicians can identify emerging safety, wear, or maintenance issues before they become costly failures.
  
  
• Service Revenue: Shop visits open the door to additional repairs, replacements, and recommended services.
  
  
• Customer Retention: A smooth recall experience strengthens trust and encourages repeat visits.
  
  
• Sales Opportunities: Recall appointments often coincide with conversations about trade-ins or vehicle upgrades.
  
  
• Future Service Planning: On-site visits make it easier to book upcoming maintenance and keep customers engaged long-term.
  
  
  

2025 (Q1-Q4) Vehicles Affected by Brand 

BizzyCar Commentary: What’s Ahead 

While overall recall counts for 2025 were similar to 2024, the size and scope of individual campaigns continued to grow, reflecting how modern vehicles increasingly rely on tightly integrated electronics, software, and safety systems. As OEMs roll out more advanced driver assistance, camera, and powertrain technologies, recall activity is likely to remain uneven, with occasional large spikes rather than a steady, predictable flow.

Q4 2025 reflected the average OTA of recent years (15% of total recalls). While OTA updates are technically capable of being delivered remotely, in practice most are still completed through dealer service departments, mobile technicians, or customer-assisted installs that require verification and follow-up. Rather than eliminating the dealership’s role, OTA changes how some recalls are executed, making proactive outreach, scheduling, and customer engagement even more important.

BizzyCar Guidance for Dealers & Drivers 

For Dealers

BizzyCar advises dealers that a fixed ops strategy centered on recalls drives meaningful service traffic and long-term customer retention. We also realize that managing recalls manually takes considerable time, coordination, and follow-up. BizzyCar helps dealerships simplify recall outreach and scheduling by automating the work behind the scenes, from identifying eligible vehicles to engaging owners and booking appointments.

The goal is a smoother experience for customers and a more reliable workflow for fixed ops teams: fewer missed opportunities, less administrative lift, and more completed repairs with fewer internal resources required.

For Drivers

BizzyCar reminds all vehicle owners to keep your family safe on the road by addressing recalls promptly. We know that many drivers are unaware that they have an open recall, and even when they are notified, scheduling a repair can be easy to postpone. We address this by helping dealerships identify recall-eligible vehicles, reach out to owners proactively, and get repairs done faster. Safer vehicles make safer roads, and easier scheduling helps more people follow through. 

To check your vehicle for recalls, use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall search tool.

BizzyCar’s Commitment 

At BizzyCar, we help dealerships close recalls faster, keep drivers safer, and protect your bottom line. With vehicles only getting more complex, our smart platform ensures you stay ahead, transforming every recall into a stronger customer relationship.

Q1-Q4 2025 Recall Data Source: https://datahub.transportation.gov/Automobiles/NHTSA-Recalls-by-Manufacturer/mu99-t4jn 

About BizzyCar

BizzyCar is an AI-driven, automated Service Recall Management Platform for auto dealers. It leverages the most accurate recall data available to identify vehicles with open recalls and utilizes artificial intelligence to proactively schedule recall appointments for customers to bring their vehicles into the dealership to complete these recalls. 

For more info visit: https://info.bizzycar.com/blog