Factbox: Biggest recalls by global automakers

TOYOTA MOTOR

21/08/2026 16:10

Aug 21 (Reuters) - Automakers around the globe have issued a wave of recalls over the years to fix defects ranging from faulty cameras and infotainment systems to airbags, ignition switches and, more recently, software-related snarls.
Eleven carmakers, including Tesla TSLA.O and Xiaomi 1810.HK, launched software updates and vehicle recalls on Friday, adding to a growing list of automakers caught up in China's largest-ever automotive recall campaign, to remedy their emergency door-release systems.
Takata's airbag recall, however, remains the largest automotive safety recall in history, with roughly 67 million airbag inflators recalled in the U.S. spanning 19 automakers.
Here are some of the industry's largest automotive recalls in recent years:

Physical Recalls 
Automakers
Units affected
Year
Region
Description
Ford
21 million vehicles
1981
U.S.
Automatic transmission could appear to be in Park when it was not fully engaged
Ford
7.90 million vehicles
1996
U.S.
Ignition switch could short and cause fire
Toyota
7.43 million vehicles
2012
Globally
Power-window master switch could overheat and cause fire
General Motors 
6.68 million
1971
U.S.
Engine mount could separate, potentially affecting throttle
Toyota
6.50 million
2015
Globally
Power-window switch could short-circuit, overheat and pose a fire risk
General Motors
5.88 million
2014
U.S.
Ignition could move out of "run," shutting engine off and potentially disabling airbags
General Motors 
5.82 million
1981
U.S.
Rear control-arm bolts could fracture, causing loss of control
Honda
3 million
2014
U.S. campaign 
Takata airbag inflators could rupture
Stellantis
4.85 million
2018
U.S.
Cruise control could fail to turn off, increasing the risk of a crash
Ford
4.50 million
2009
U.S.
Cruise-control deactivation switch could leak/overheat and cause fire
  

 Over-The-Air (OTA) Recall 
* Automakers have more recently incorporated OTA updates in software-defined vehicles to remedy safety concerns or glitches, much like phone companies use software updates to fix bugs.
     
Automakers
Units affected
Year
Region
Description
Tesla
2.98 million
2026
China
Occupants may have difficulty locating or operating the emergency door-release handles
Tesla
2.19 million
2024
U.S.
Warning lights may be harder to read, potentially increasing crash risk
Tesla
2.03 million
2023
U.S.
Autosteer controls insufficient to prevent foreseeable misuse
Tesla
1.85 million
2024
U.S.
Software might fail to detect unlatched hood
Tesla
1.1 million
2022
U.S.
Automatic window reversal could fail to respond correctly to obstruction
Mercedes-Benz
906,125
2021
U.S.
The eCall system may send an incorrect vehicle location during an emergency
Tesla
817,143
2022
U.S.
Seat-belt warning chime might not activate
Tesla
594,894
2022
U.S.
"Boombox" sounds could obscure pedestrian warning sound
Tesla
362,758
2023
U.S.
FSD Beta could behave unexpectedly at intersections and around speed limits
Tesla
321,628
2022
U.S.
Tail lamps could intermittently fail to illuminate
Source: Reuters reports and U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data

 (Reporting by Apratim Sarkar in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Aatreyee Dasgupta; editing by Arpan Varghese and Maju Samuel)
 ((Apratim.Sarkar@thomsonreuters.com;))