If you drive a car in the United States, you’ve likely heard of motor vehicle recalls before, even if you don’t own a car that’s been affected. When a car has a significant defect that can put people at risk, a recall order is issued by the vehicle’s manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In this article, we discuss some of the most significant recall orders issued in 2024.
What is a Motor Vehicle Recall?
When a significant number of vehicles suffer from an identical defect or safety flaw, a recall order will be issued to correct the problem. Once a recall order has been made, the car’s manufacturer is responsible for fixing the issue at no cost to vehicle owners. Although manufacturers are responsible for taking all reasonable actions to alert customers of the dangers posed by their defective vehicle, it is up to consumers to heed the recall order and have their car repaired at a reputable dealership.
A recent study on recall data by Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC indicates that there have been at least 800 individual recall orders in 2024, as of early October. As such, it’s more important than ever to keep an eye out for relevant recalls that may impact you or a loved one.
Notable Recall Orders in 2024
All recalls are worth paying attention to. If your car gets recalled, you should have it taken to the nearest dealership for repairs as soon as possible. However, some recalls are for issues that pose significant risks to drivers, passengers, and other motorists on the road. It is especially important to heed these recall orders and have your vehicle inspected promptly. Some of the most far-reaching recall orders of the year thus far include:
2,193,869 Affected by Tesla Recall
A software error resulted in the fonts on the instrument panel for the brake, park, and antilock brake system (ABS) being too small. While this may seem like a minor error, it did increase the risk of a collision occurring, due to drivers being distracted attempting to view their screen while operating their vehicle. This recall impacted a significant amount of Teslas, including some 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. Fortunately, the issue was easily addressed by an over-the-air (OTA) software update.
1,889,110 Affected by Ford Motor Company Recall
In 2024, Ford recalled a significant number of their brand’s 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles. The issue prompting the recall was a bit more serious than Tesla’s software error. Pieces of the front windshield’s external trim were prone to flying off of affected Explorers, posing a risk to other vehicles, bikers, and pedestrians. Owners of Explorers included in the recall were encouraged to have their SUV taken to a dealership, where the defective trim could be safely replaced.
1,693,199 Affected by Honda Recall
Honda recalled a significant number of units in 2024, including some 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The vehicles included in the recall potentially had an incorrectly-assembled steering gearbox assembly. Weardown of the defective parts could cause drivers to experience difficulty steering their vehicle. Similarly to the previously-mentioned Ford recall, repairs required drivers to bring their vehicle to a dealership so the defective parts could be replaced.
462,869 Affected by Kia Corporation Recall
We end our list of 2024’s most significant car recalls with a notice sent out by Kia Corporation. The manufacturer recalled some 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles over a potential fire risk. The issue was so significant that the affected vehicles fell under a “Park Outside” advisory. A Park Outside advisory is issued when a vehicle is at risk of spontaneous combustion due to a serious flaw or defect, and should thus be parked away from flammable structures. In this case, the power seat slide knob could cause the front power seat motor to overheat, causing a fire when the vehicle was being driven or parked. Consumers were urged to have the issue fixed by a local dealership as quickly as possible to mitigate the risk.
What to Do if Your Car is Recalled
It’s perfectly natural to feel anxious or upset if you receive a recall notice for your vehicle in the mail or hear about it on the news. However, as long as you follow the instructions of the recall notice, it’s likely that your car will be made safe to drive in no time. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s advice on whether your car is safe to drive as you wait for an appointment at your local dealership to open up. We hope this article helps you and your loved ones stay safe on the road!