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 issued152026 to date
Campaigns by component
Airbags 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.
Airbags
71
Electrical system
63
Engine and cooling
29
Powertrain
26
Lighting
23
Fuel system
20
Structure
19
Steering
18
Brakes
17
Seat belts
14
Equipment
13
Suspension
12
Source: NHTSA ODI. Each campaign counted once, under its primary component.
Share of vehicles affected
Electrical systems campaigns covered the most vehicles in 2025
Vehicles affected by 2025 campaigns, by primary component.
Electrical system83%
Latches and locks8%
Steering7%
Airbags1%
Seat belts1%
All other components0%
Source: NHTSA ODI. 509k vehicles or units in 2025.
Component mix by year
Electrical systems have overtaken airbags as the leading reason for a recall
Share of vehicle campaigns by primary component, 2016 to 2026. 2026 is through October.
AirbagsElectrical systemEngine and coolingPowertrainLightingAll other
Source: NHTSA ODI. The lighter column is a partial year.
Remedy type
Software updates remedy 0% of 2026 campaigns
Share of campaigns by remedy, 2016 to 2026. Inspections, labels, refunds, pending and unstated remedies make up the remainder.
Physical repair or replacementSoftware update
Source: NHTSA ODI remedy descriptions, classified by rule (see Methodology).
Trends by component
Electrical systems are the only one of the six still climbing
Campaigns per year, 2019 to 2026, with the 2026 count to date.
Electrical system5
Airbags0
Lighting2
Powertrain2
Steering1
Engine and cooling0
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.