Tesla Wins 'Award' for Most Recalled Car
Tesla has earned a new title it may not want to tout: the brand with the most car recalls.
A new study(Opens in a new window) by iSeeCars analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) list of recalls from 2014 to 2023. It examined when each recall was issued in the car's lifetime. Then, the researchers projected the total recalls over an (admittedly high(Opens in a new window)) expected 30-year lifespan of the vehicle.
The average number of recalls per model is four, the study found, but researchers were surprised to find a wider-than-expected variance between models.
Mini Convertible - 0.2 recalls over projected 30-year lifetime
Lexus NX 300h - 0.3
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - 0.5
Mercedes-Benz CLS - 0.5
Lexus RX 450h - 0.5
Overall, Toyota and Mercedes had the most vehicles in the least recalled list. "Buyers seeking a model with a low recall rate have plenty of choices, while brands like Mercedes and Toyota have strong reputations for quality, and this list backs up their brand image," the study says.
In terms of the most recalled models, the data paints a clear picture: Teslas will cause buyers the most trouble of any car brand. The electric-vehicle maker's core lineup—Models 3, Y, X, and S—claimed four of the top five spots. The fifth goes to the gas-powered Porsche Panamera.
Tesla Model Y - 62.4 recalls over projected 30-year lifetime
Porsche Panamera - 61.8
Tesla Model 3 - 56.8
Tesla Model X - 27.3
Tesla Model S - 26.4
Outside of Porsche and Tesla, vehicles from BMW and Jeep made the list of most recalled three times each, while Ford, Lincoln, Ram, and Volkswagen show up twice. Chevrolet and Kia each have one model on the list.
"Most vehicles behave like the Toyota Camry–most of their
Read more on pcmag.com
