The most popular car models on the road today are also the ones most plagued by recalls. Why is that the case?
It mostly has to do with high production numbers and strong demand. Such cars tend to experience design flaws on a larger scale while also being scrutinized more often. Combine that with sheer popularity, and it’s no surprise everyone is more eager to point to an issue.
Regardless, recalls play a significant role in maintaining safety and reliability on the road, even if they dent a manufacturer’s reputation. With the essentials covered, now it’s time to discover 14 popular cars that are plagued by recalls and why they always make the headlines!
Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is a staple of American culture as it has been the best-selling truck in the US for almost 50 years. As such, it surprises no one that the Ford F-150 takes the recall cake with upwards of 108 recalls altogether.
One of the more serious recalls in the history of the brand took place back in 2017 when Ford recalled more than 1 million trucks due to door latch trouble with the F-150 being at the forefront of that recall. Another rather notable recall was the 2018 seatbelt fiasco which temporarily halted more than 2 million 2015-2018 Ford F150 Regular and Supercrew examples.
Buick Regal
Surprisingly, the Buick Regal has had a high number of recalls throughout its lifespan, even though it isn’t necessarily as popular as some of the other models on this list. Combined, the Regal has been part of around at least 80 various recalls, with the 2014 ignition recall being the most notorious as it required GM to recall a total of 3.36 million vehicles across various brands and models.
The Regal has also experienced dire issues with electrical systems which forced Buick to recall 42,000 2013 Regal models due to growing concerns of cars ending up in flames. As it so happens, the Regal accounts for more than a quarter of all Buick recalls to date, and that says a lot.
Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is often regarded as the pioneering compact SUV, which is partly why it has remained a popular SUV since the 1980s. It’s relatively affordable, good-looking, and desirable, but all of that does not save it from being a recall champ in its own right.
Jeep recently announced that the Jeep Cherokee is officially going out of production, marking the conclusion of a legacy that few compact SUVs are likely to match. As far as individual recalls are concerned, one of the more notable ones was the 2018 PCM recall, which raised a lot of concern as over 130,000 Jeep Cherokee models from 2014–2018 were at risk of uncontrolled acceleration.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
After the Cherokee, we also need to talk about its big brother, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which does not fare any better. The Grand Cherokee also has a relatively poor recall record, earning both models a well-deserved top spot on this list.
The worst Grand Cherokee recall to date is likely the infamous 2016 gear shifter recall. Jeep recalled a staggering 1.1 million Jeep Grand Cherokee models due to alleged uncontrollable rollaways. Moreover, 338,000 Grand Cherokee models were also recalled back in February 2024 due to loss of steering control.
Dodge Ram 1500
The Dodge Ram 1500 is also one of the most desirable trucks in North America which places it close to the Ford F-150, both in regards to popularity, and the number of recalls it was part of. Even though there are no official estimates as to how many recalls the Ram 1500 endured in total, it is likely not too far off the F-150.
The very latest 2025 Dodge Ram 1500 is currently being recalled due to wheel bearing issues. Still, the most significant recall took place in mid-2024 when Dodge recalled almost a million and a half Ram 1500 models due to software issues.
Ford Explorer
When it comes to single-round recalls that made history books, it’s difficult to match the Ford Explorer as Ford recalled almost 2 million Ford Explorer models back in early 2024 due to an unsecured piece of trim.
The Explorer has been a family favorite for years, and it’s surely a good thing Ford isn’t compromising on addressing safety issues when necessary. The rearview camera has also been part of quite a serious Ford Explorer recall. Lastly, problems with axle bolts resulted in Ford recalling more than 238,000 Explorer models back in October 2023. All added up, the Explorer accounts for more than 73 recalls in total.
BMW X5
The BMW X5, one of the most successful European premium SUVs in the US, has also faced its share of mishaps, including approximately 95 noted recalls. Older BMW X5s were involved in fewer recalls than newer models, but that’s mostly due to their lower levels of complexity and lighter weight.
The latest 2024 BMW X5 was recalled, along with other BMW models, as part of a broader recall totaling over 1.5 million cars due to defective brakes, an ordeal that could cost BMW $1 billion to fix. While many X5 models have faced recalls for airbag deployment issues, the X5 is also known for suspension and engine-related recalls.
Subaru Legacy
While on the topic of non-US recall champions, we also have to mention the trusty Subaru Legacy. The Legacy was introduced in the 1980s and has since been sold in more than 1.3 million examples. To date, it has been involved in more than 64 official recalls.
The Legacy hasn’t been involved in many large-scale recalls, but its recall issues include airbag problems, such as a 2024 recall affecting around 120,000 Legacy and Outback models. Moreover, the Legacy has also been subjected to brake-related recall.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is one of two Dodge models on this list which does make some sense since the Charger is one of the oldest car models on this list. Throughout its lifetime, the Charger has endured recall issues with pretty much everything, accounting for a total of 40+ major recalls across its various iterations.
Some of the more serious recalls involve nearly 300,000 Dodge Charger (2018–2021) models and Chrysler 300C models. This includes issues like airbags that could explode due to water seeping in during production.
Ford Mustang
The third Ford on this list is the beloved Ford Mustang, a massively popular car in its own right. Throughout its many years on the market, the Mustang has pulled through more than 51 recalls, at the very minimum.
One of the worst Ford Mustang recalls in recent times took place back in July 2024 when Ford recalled tens of thousands of 2022/23 Mustang models due to an issue with the steering system. In addition to steering system issues, the Mustang has also faced problems with its wiring and airbags, the former of which ended up with Ford recalling almost 350,000 2015-17 Mustang models.
Chevrolet Suburban
Another staple of American car culture is the beloved Chevy Suburban, a three-row SUV that caters to larger family needs with lots of space, lots of safety features, and lots of comfort. Be that as it may, the Suburban has been subject to more than 60 recalls since the model was launched.
One of the more notable recalls actually takes place as we speak as GM has recalled almost half a million SUVs, including the Suburban, due to a problem with the transmission locking up the rear wheels and causing major safety hazards.
Toyota Camry
Back in 1983, the Toyota Camry debuted in the North American market, and ever since then it has stayed as the number one choice for American sedan buyers. As with all the other popular cars on this list, it has been part of several recalls in recent years, with a minimum of 44 confirmed.
In 2023, Toyota recalled the Camry with more than 2.5 million other Toyota models due to airbag deployment problems, but the Camry also experienced fairly serious recall problems with the brakes, including a recall of more than 227,000 Camry models back in 2021.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The Chevy Silverado is, in many regards, one of the most popular pickup trucks in North America along with the Ram 1500 and the F-150. Throughout the late 1990s, the Silverado experienced recall problems with its brakes, transmission, and suspension.
The most notable recent recall is likely the recent Chevy 10-speed transmission recall, which affects 462,000 vehicles, half of which are Silverados. According to Cars.com, the Silverado 1500 is among the most-recalled vehicles in history, with at least 89 confirmed recalls since it came out.
Jeep Wrangler
We will wrap up our list with the beloved Jeep Wrangler, an off-road-oriented utilitarian SUV that traces its lineage back to the 1940s and the army during the Second World War. 2024 models are currently experiencing issues with the instrument cluster which caused Jeep to recall 30,000-50,000 examples.
The very latest serious recall, issued in October 2024, involves dangerous fire risk incidents affecting 118,230 2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler PHEVs and 35,802 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEVs. There have been two alleged injuries reported to date. The affected vehicles may have been built with a high-voltage battery that may fail internally.
The Recall Kings
So, what do all of these recalls truly mean? In most basic words, these recalls are a necessity more than anything else. With the increasing complexity of modern cars, it’s impossible for everything to work perfectly, much to the annoyance of owners and drivers alike.
When something eventually goes wrong on a larger scale, it’s imperative to have it properly fixed, which is why answering recalls is essential for safe and long-lasting motoring.
More From Driver’s Drift
15 Easy-to-Miss Signs of Unmarked Cop Vehicles You Should Know About
16 Must-Have Car Gadgets That All Senior Motorists Should Own
15 Things Boomers Taught Us About Cars Which Are Totally Wrong Today
12 Most Reliable Hybrids You Should Consider Buying as Your Next Drive
