A new report shows Tesla issued more recalls than any other automaker in the U.S. during the third quarter; however, they were all resolved with over-the-air updates. Plagued by recalls during the past several years, Ford made significant improvement in the period.
Tesla issued more recalls than any other automaker during Q3, but OTAs solved each issue.
Tesla issued recalls for nearly 1.9 million vehicles during the July-September period, but nary an owner had to drive to a service center as they were all fixed with software updates. This shows the value of OTA technology, noted BizzyCar, a leading recall solution that increases service revenue by automating recalls, in its quarterly recall report.
In all 21 million vehicles were recalled during the period with Stellantis, BMW and General Motors falling in behind Tesla in number of vehicles recalled. Ford, which typically places in the top three each quarter happily fell to fifth place during the most recent period.
“With more than 21 million vehicles affected by recalls this year, our goal of keeping drivers safe while also providing dealerships a chance to increase customer loyalty and retention is more crucial than ever,” said BizzyCar Founder Ryan Maher.
“We are on a mission to ensure every driver in every vehicle in the nation knows when their vehicle is a part of a recall and what to do to get it properly maintained and back on the road safely.”
Ford saw its Q3 recall numbers fall significantly, finishing fifth overall.
Problem areas
Electric issues remain the biggest problem area for automakers. Those problems accounted for 6.3 million recalls through the first nine months of 2024, equating to about 30% of the issues.
This surge in electrical-related recalls underscores the challenges manufacturers face in maintaining quality control over intricate electronic architectures and software systems that now govern everything from infotainment to critical safety functions, BizzyCar officials noted.
As cars transform into complex digital platforms on wheels, even minor electrical faults can pose significant safety risks, potentially leading to unexpected malfunctions or system failures that endanger drivers.
More Recall Stories
- Ram Recalls 1.2 Million Pickups, Latest Notice is 44th Recall for Stellantis This Year
- Tesla Cybertruck Faces Two More Recalls
- Ford Recalls 456K SUVs, Pickups
Some upsides
In addition to Ford showing improvement, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai had the most improved recall performance year-over-year.
Additionally, “Park Outside” and “Do Not Drive” advisories declined dropping to 3% YTD 2024 from 14% in 2023, while “Do Not Drive” advisories remain minimal at 0.1% YTD 2024.
Although complex electrical systems and technologies are the industry’s biggest issue, that same level of tech also makes so many recalls easier to complete. More than 34% of vehicles recalled YTD 2024 can be fixed via OTA updates, up from 21% in 2023, reflecting the industry’s shift towards more efficient and customer-friendly recall solutions.
An OTA should not be called a recall. Did the owner even know it happened?
If there is a significant issue that would otherwise require repairs, yes, it is a recall. And it’s good to have it so noted. More and more vehicle recalls are software related. It is important to be able to identify those AND to know what manufacturers have such problems.
Paul E.