AutoStatsIQ
Data through Oct 2026
Components and defects

Where vehicles fail

NHTSA files every campaign under a component. Grouped that way, the record shows which systems keep failing, which are fading, and how often the fix now arrives as a software update rather than a part.

Components tracked27Plain-language groups of NHTSA codes
Software remedies18%of 2026 campaigns
Advisories issued332026 to date
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Showing 2010 to 2026, all manufacturers, vehicle recalls
Campaigns by component

Equipment and electrical systems account for more campaigns than the next four components combined

Vehicle recall campaigns by primary component, 2010 to 2026, twelve most frequent.

Equipment
2,305
Electrical system
1,911
Brakes
1,087
Airbags
849
Structure
790
Powertrain
723
Fuel system
692
Steering
673
Engine and cooling
649
Suspension
611
Lighting
603
Seat belts
434
Source: NHTSA ODI. Each campaign counted once, under its primary component.
Share of vehicles affected

Back-over prevention campaigns covered the most vehicles in 2025

Vehicles affected by 2025 campaigns, by primary component.

Source: NHTSA ODI. 29.3M vehicles or units in 2025.
Component mix by year

Electrical systems have overtaken equipment as the leading reason for a recall

Share of vehicle campaigns by primary component, 2016 to 2026. 2026 is through October.

EquipmentElectrical systemBrakesAirbagsStructureAll other
050%100%20162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI. The lighter column is a partial year.
Remedy type

Software updates now remedy a fifth of campaigns, up from 8% in 2016

Share of campaigns by remedy, 2016 to 2026. Inspections, labels, refunds, pending and unstated remedies make up the remainder.

Physical repair or replacementSoftware update
050%100%20162018202020222024202674%19%8% in 2016
Source: NHTSA ODI remedy descriptions, classified by rule (see Methodology).
Trends by component
Electrical system118
Equipment95
Brakes31
Structure42
Airbags23
Steering19
Source: NHTSA ODI. The blue bar is 2026 to date.
Advisories

When NHTSA says stop driving

A small number of campaigns carry an advisory to stop driving the vehicle or to park it outdoors until it is repaired. They are tracked separately here because the risk is immediate.

Do-not-drive advisories152026 to date, covering 109k vehiclesPark-outside advisories192026 to date, covering 1.71M vehiclesCampaigns filed without a remedy21Filed in the last 12 months with the remedy still under development