One in Five US Cars on the Road Has an Open Recall
Carfax data shows over 47 million US vehicles have unresolved safety recalls, with minivans and SUVs among the most affected segments.
Nearly 20 percent of vehicles on US roads have at least one unresolved safety recall, according to data from vehicle history provider Carfax. The company reported that more than 47 million cars in the United States are currently subject to open recall campaigns, a 27 percent increase over the previous year.
The figures reflect the scale of safety issues affecting the US vehicle fleet. Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) oversaw close to 900 recall campaigns, covering a record 51 million vehicles. Yet, Carfax and NHTSA data indicate that about a quarter of recalled vehicles remain unrepaired, leaving millions of drivers exposed to unresolved safety defects.
Which vehicles are most affected?
Minivans top the list, with one in every 4.6 on US roads carrying an open recall. SUVs are next at one in 5.1, while pickup trucks and passenger cars each stand at roughly one in 5.5. The overall average across all vehicle types is one in 5.4, based on the Carfax analysis.
- Minivans: 1 in 4.6 have an open recall
- SUVs: 1 in 5.1
- Pickups: 1 in 5.5
- Passenger cars: 1 in 5.5
The reasons for recalls range from minor compliance issues to major safety faults. Recent high-profile examples include the Takata airbag crisis, which has affected around 24 million vehicles in the US, and other campaigns involving airbag suppliers such as Continental (see /continental-is-the-supplier-of-faulty-airbags-in-audi-recall). Other recalls have targeted specific faults, such as power brake defects (see /recall-roundup-bmw-calls-in-176000-vehicles) and engine fire risks.
Why so many unrepaired vehicles?
Despite the scale of recall campaigns, about 25 percent of affected vehicles are never brought in for the required repairs. Factors include changes in ownership, lack of awareness, and the age or value of the vehicle. With an estimated 258.5 million vehicles in operation in the US as of late 2015, the challenge of reaching every owner remains considerable.
The persistent backlog of open recalls highlights the ongoing challenge for manufacturers, dealers and safety regulators to ensure that safety defects are addressed across the entire US vehicle fleet.
