Automotive Recall Alert: 8.5 Million Vehicles Recalled in Q3 2025

The BizzyCar Q3 2025 Recall Report provides a comprehensive look at the ongoing safety challenges facing the U.S. automotive industry. In the third quarter of 2025, automakers issued recalls affecting more than 8.49 million vehicles, the second consecutive quarter of elevated volumes and the highest total since Q1 2024. Year-to-date (Q1–Q3 2025), recalls have impacted nearly 19.3 million vehicles, a modest decline from the same period in 2024 but still reflecting the complexity of modern automotive technology.

As vehicles become increasingly software-driven and reliant on advanced electronics, recalls are shifting toward critical safety and digital components. This report highlights the brands, components, and campaigns that defined Q3 2025, and explores Over-the-Air (OTA) updates vs. the enduring need for in-person dealership visits.

BizzyCar Q2 2025 Recall Report Highlights

Total Recalls:
In Q3 2025, automakers issued 96 recall campaigns covering 8,494,262 vehicles, a 16% increase from Q2’s 7.32 million.

Ford Continues to Lead:
Ford led all manufacturers in Q3 2025 with 5,041,241 vehicles affected. The next four were Stellantis (802,383), Toyota (685,697), Hyundai (612,278), and BMW (415,893), each contributing substantial volumes this quarter.

Top Recall Issues:
Back Over Prevention was the largest category in Q3, impacting 1,749,524 vehicles. Electrical System issues followed at 1,668,743 vehicles, with Fuel System, Gasoline close behind at 1,598,639. Service Brakes, Hydraulic (811,435) and Structure (820,893) also represented significant portions of the quarter’s recalls.

Safety Concerns:
Based on the NHTSA consequence text, recalls covering more than 7.4 million vehicles (≈87.5%) reference crash and/or injury risk, underscoring the safety urgency associated with many Q3 campaigns.

Q3 included three “Park Outside” advisories covering 200,997 vehicles, notably BMW (196,355 vehicles), Ford (4,632 vehicles), and Hyundai (10 vehicles). There were no “Do Not Drive” advisories recorded in Q3 2025.

OTA Updates Expand:
Over-the-air remedies were present but not dominant: 10 recalls in Q3 referenced OTA solutions, covering 1,359,442 vehicles. This covers about 16% of all vehicles recalled this quarter. OTA recalls reflect a continued shift toward digital fixes where feasible, while the majority of issues still require physical service.

BizzyCar Q3 2025 Recall Report

Total Recalls and Vehicles Affected

• Total Recalls Issued in Q3 2025: 96 recalls
• Total Vehicles Affected in Q3 2025: 8,494,262 vehicles
• YTD 2025 Total Vehicles Affected (Q1–Q3): 18,902,597 vehicles

Q3 2025 Recalls Issued by Brand

• Ford: 24 recalls

• Stellantis: 13 recalls

• BMW: 8 recalls

• Hyundai: 7 recalls

• Polestar: 5 recalls

• General Motors: 5 recalls

• Jaguar Land Rover: 4 recalls

• Kia: 4 recalls

• Honda: 3 recalls

• Mercedes-Benz: 3 recalls

• Porsche: 3 recalls

• Volkswagen/Audi: 3 recalls

• Volvo: 2 recalls

• Lamborghini: 2 recalls

• Rivian: 2 recalls

• Toyota: 2 recalls

• Tesla: 1 recall
  

• Nissan: 1 recall
  

• Mitsubishi: 1 recall
  

• Aston Martin: 1 recall
  

• Ferrari: 1 recall

Q3 2025 Vehicles Affected by Brand

Manufacturer	Vehicles Recalled
Ford	5,041,241
Stellantis	802,383
Toyota	685,697
Hyundai	612,278
BMW	415,893
Kia	340,778
Jaguar Land Rover	147,762
Mitsubishi	121,529
Mazda	104,854
Honda	97,082
General Motors	48,612
Polestar	28,888
Rivian	24,237
Nissan	13,719
Mercedes-Benz	4,545
Volvo	2,476
Volkswagen/Audi	1,058
Ferrari	541
Porsche	464
Aston Martin	178

 

\

 

Ford Leads Again

Ford once again dominated recall activity in Q3 2025, with more than 5 million vehicles affected. That represents nearly 60% of all vehicles recalled this quarter, far outpacing every other manufacturer. The majority of Ford’s recalls centered on critical systems such as back-over prevention, fuel delivery, braking, and electrical components — areas that highlight both the growing complexity of vehicle technology and the safety risks when those systems fail.

Despite ongoing efforts to strengthen quality controls, Ford’s outsized recall footprint shows how difficult it is for even the largest OEMs to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. For dealerships, this scale presents a clear opportunity: millions of Ford drivers will be seeking service. Fast, transparent, and customer-friendly recall repairs not only ensure safety but also create valuable chances to build loyalty, identify additional maintenance needs, and generate future sales.

Top Components Recalled in Q3 2025

Component	Vehicles Affected
Back Over Prevention	1,749,524
Electrical System	1,668,743
Fuel System, Gasoline	1,598,639
Structure	820,893
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	811,435
Seat Belts	629,023
Steering	258,146
Exterior Lighting	219,941
Power Train	175,505
Unspecified/Other	134,047
Air Bags	126,084
Seats	121,398
Visibility	118,972
Forward Collision Avoidance	23,700
Tires	22,906
Engine and Engine Cooling	13,778
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	1,191
Suspension	292
Communication	33
Fuel System, Diesel	12

 

10 Largest Recalls of Q3 2025

Park Outside and Do Not Drive Advisories

Park Outside:

• Ford: Engine Compartment Fire, 4,632 vehicles
  
  
• Hyundai: High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire, 10 vehicles
  
  
• BMW: Engine Starter May Corrode and Overheat, 196,355 vehicles
  
  

Do Not Drive:

• None reported in Q3 2025

OTA Updates in Q3 2025

1,359,442 vehicles, 16% of all vehicles recalled in Q3 2025, can be repaired via Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates.

Brands with OTA-eligible recalls in Q3 2025:

• Ford: 463,218 vehicles
  
  
• BMW: 196,355 vehicles
  
  
• Hyundai: 109,683 vehicles
  
  
• Tesla: 57 vehicles
  
  
• Volvo: 6,943 vehicles
  
  

Since Q1 2022, 15,997,983 recalls have been addressed via OTA updates, accounting for 15.0% of all recalls in that time frame.

In-Person Visits Still Matter in 2025

OTA updates are efficient and increasingly common, but they reduce opportunities for valuable dealer engagement. In-person recall repairs remain essential because they allow:

• Inspections: Technicians can identify other safety or maintenance issues before they worsen.
• Revenue Growth: Service visits create opportunities for additional repairs or accessories.
• Customer Retention: A positive service experience strengthens long-term loyalty.
• Sales Opportunities: Recall visits often align with interest in trade-ins or new vehicles.
• Service Planning: Appointments can be used to schedule future maintenance and keep customers returning.

YTD 2025 (Q1 + Q2 + Q3) Vehicles Affected by Brand

BizzyCar Commentary: What’s Ahead

Q3 2025 recalls surged past 8 million vehicles, reflecting the sustained stress on OEM quality assurance. Looking ahead, analysts expect continued volatility as automakers balance advanced electronics with traditional safety systems. Supply chain constraints and increasing vehicle complexity could fuel more large-scale campaigns in 2026.

OTA updates are a rising share, but most recalls remain tied to physical components that cannot be resolved remotely. Dealerships that manage recalls efficiently will be best positioned to turn these challenges into opportunities for customer loyalty and service growth.

BizzyCar’s Guidance for Dealers & Drivers

For Dealers:
BizzyCar strongly advises all dealerships to keep recalls at the center of their fixed ops strategy. The best dealerships have dedicated processes and people for recall outreach and scheduling, converting safety compliance into new customer connections, service lane revenue, and lifetime loyalty. For dealers launching or scaling mobile service operations, recall repairs are the perfect entry point, relatively low complexity and high consumer value.

The key is ease and convenience: making it simple for owners to book, arrive, and complete repairs turns a hassle into a loyalty moment.

For Consumers:
BizzyCar reminds all vehicle owners: check your recalls, don’t delay repairs, and keep your family safe on the road. BizzyCar is helping franchise dealers make the recall appointment experience fast, open-ended, asynchronous, and consumer-friendly, because safer cars make better roads. Check for Recalls

BizzyCar’s Commitment

At BizzyCar, we help dealerships close recalls faster, keep drivers safer, and protect your bottom line. With vehicles only getting more complex, our smart platform ensures you stay ahead, transforming every recall into a stronger customer relationship.

Q1 2025 Recall Data Source: https://datahub.transportation.gov/Automobiles/NHTSA-Recalls-by-Manufacturer/mu99-t4jn

About BizzyCar

BizzyCar is an AI-driven, automated Service Recall Management Platform for auto dealers. It leverages the most accurate recall data available to identify vehicles with open recalls and utilizes artificial intelligence to proactively schedule recall appointments for customers to bring their vehicles into the dealership to complete these recalls. For more info visit: https://info.bizzycar.com/blog