In 2024, there were 249 recalls in Europe. That's 256 models from 41 car brands. This is according to figures from European Safety Gate.
It has now been revealed which car brands had to recall the most cars in Europe in 2022. Data from European Safety Gate shows that there were 249 recalls, covering 256 models from 41 different car brands.
A recall occurs when manufacturers or authorities identify problems related to safety, health or the environment.
However, it is not always necessary to physically bring the car to the workshop. Many manufacturers are increasingly using "over-the-air" updates to solve problems.
Although the number of recalls may seem high, the European figures are lower than the German ones. The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, the German equivalent of the German Road Traffic Authority, registered 387 recalls across 258 models from 44 brands in 2024.
Germany, known for its large car production, accounts for a significant share of European recalls.
Both European and German data show, according to Dutch Autovisie , that Mercedes-Benz is the brand that most often had to recall cars in 2024. BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Peugeot and Volkswagen are also among the brands that frequently appear on the lists.
The BMW 5 Series, BMW X3, Mercedes C-Class, Mercedes GLE and Toyota ProAce are among the models with the most registrations on the European list, with five recalls each in 2022.
It is worth noting that recalls do not only affect new cars. Older models, such as the BMW 3 Series, which have been in production for a long time and have a large number of units on the road, may also be affected. The likelihood of a recall increases with the number of cars produced.
Recalls are part of everyday life in the automotive industry and serve to ensure that cars remain safe and legal to drive.
It's just that importers aren't always on the cutting edge of this kind of thing. Because once the cars are recalled, there are countless examples of how car owners have to wait forever for the car brands to actually have time for them.
Audi e-tron owner Morten Lied, for example, had to wait a full 9 months for Audi to look at his car. Even though the car may be flammable. Read more about it here .
The car brands that recalled the most cars in 2024, broken down by number of models:
Mark | Recalls | Number of models |
---|---|---|
Mercedes-Benz | 24 | 23 |
BMW | 23 | 21 |
Citroen | 15 | 12 |
Ford | 13 | 12 |
Volkswagen | 12 | 16 |
Hyundai | 12 | 12 |
Opel | 12 | 10 |
Lexus | 12 | 7 |
Peugeot | 11 | 12 |
Toyota | 11 | 14 |