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
765
Electrical system
706
Powertrain
385
Fuel system
320
Brakes
313
Engine and cooling
264
Seat belts
249
Steering
247
Lighting
224
Back-over prevention
209
Structure
195
Visibility and wipers
183
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.
Back-over prevention33%
Electrical system14%
Fuel system8%
Engine and cooling7%
Brakes7%
All other components31%
Source: NHTSA ODI. 28.4M 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 systemPowertrainFuel systemBrakesAll other
Source: NHTSA ODI. The lighter column is a partial year.
Remedy type
Software updates now remedy 31% of campaigns, up from 13% 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
Source: NHTSA ODI remedy descriptions, classified by rule (see Methodology).
Trends by component
Back-over prevention has climbed fastest since 2019
Campaigns per year, 2019 to 2026, with the 2026 count to date.
Electrical system52
Airbags21
Powertrain25
Back-over prevention28
Brakes4
Seat belts21
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.