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Top 20 models by NHTSA recall count
Top 20 models by NHTSA recall count
Background
This ranking identifies the top 20 models by recall count in the NHTSA database, using records current as of 2026. In this dataset, the most-recalled model is the BMW X5 with 51 recalls. It is followed by the BMW X3 with 43 and the Chevrolet Tahoe with 42.
The list is model-based, not owner-specific. That matters for common reader questions such as whether a particular car is recalled, has been recalled, or was recalled. This dataset can show whether a model appears among the top 20 and the span of years attached to that model in the ranking, but it does not identify an individual vehicle by VIN.
Which models appear most often
At the top of the list, BMW and Chevrolet dominate. BMW also leads by make presence in the ranking, with the X5, X3, X7, X6, X4, and 330i all appearing in the top 20.
| Rank group | Make | Model | Recalls | Earliest year | Latest year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top | BMW | X5 | 51 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Top | BMW | X3 | 43 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Top | Chevrolet | Tahoe | 42 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Top | Chevrolet | Suburban | 34 | 2014 | 2023 |
| Top | BMW | X7 | 29 | 2019 | 2024 |
| Top | Cadillac | Escalade | 28 | 2014 | 2023 |
| Top | BMW | X6 | 27 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Top | BMW | X4 | 27 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Top | Cadillac | Escalade ESV | 26 | 2014 | 2023 |
| Top | Audi | Q7 | 26 | 2014 | 2023 |
The remaining entries continue the same pattern of repeat appearances by a small set of makes.
| Make | Model | Recalls | Earliest year | Latest year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | Q5 | 25 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Audi | A6 | 23 | 2014 | 2022 |
| Chevrolet | Traverse | 23 | 2014 | 2023 |
| Chevrolet | Malibu | 23 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Audi | A7 | 21 | 2014 | 2022 |
| Acura | MDX | 20 | 2014 | 2024 |
| BMW | 330i | 19 | 2018 | 2024 |
| Audi | A8 | 19 | 2014 | 2024 |
| Buick | Enclave | 19 | 2014 | 2022 |
| Chevrolet | Corvette | 19 | 2014 | 2024 |
For readers asking which car has the most recalls in this dataset, the answer is the BMW X5 at 51. For readers asking which manufacturer has the most recalls here, the leading make is BMW.
What the year ranges show
Most models in the ranking begin at 2014. One notable exception is the BMW X7, which starts at 2019, and the BMW 330i, which starts at 2018. On the latest-year side, many entries extend to 2024, including the BMW X5, BMW X3, Chevrolet Tahoe, Audi Q5, Acura MDX, and Chevrolet Corvette.
That year span helps answer a narrower version of “was my car recalled” or “has my car been recalled” when the owner already knows the model and model year. A BMW X5 tied to the 2014 to 2024 span is part of a model line that appears repeatedly in recall records. A Chevrolet Suburban in this ranking is associated with 2014 to 2023. An Audi A6 is associated with 2014 to 2022.
Why a car may be recalled
This dataset does not include defect categories, component systems, or recall descriptions. So it cannot answer why a specific car is being recalled, or what defect triggered a recall campaign. It only shows that certain models accumulated high recall counts in the NHTSA database.
What it can say is that repeated recalls are not limited to one segment. The list includes SUVs such as the BMW X5, Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, and Audi Q7, along with sedans such as the Audi A6, Audi A8, Chevrolet Malibu, and BMW 330i, plus the Chevrolet Corvette.
What this can and cannot tell owners
For owners asking “is my vehicle recalled,” this ranking is a starting point, not a final answer. If a model appears here, that model has a substantial recall history in the NHTSA database. But the presence of a model in the top 20 does not mean every vehicle of that nameplate is under an active recall at the same time.
The same limitation applies to “what happens when your car is recalled.” This dataset does not include remedy status, repair instructions, or owner notification details. It is a count-based ranking of models, current as of 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Which car has the most recalls? A: In this dataset, the BMW X5 has the highest recall count at 51.
Q: Which manufacturer leads this ranking? A: BMW is the leading make in the ranking, and the top model is the BMW X5 with 51 recalls.
Q: Is the Chevrolet Tahoe one of the most-recalled models? A: Yes. The Chevrolet Tahoe appears near the top of the list with 42 recalls, spanning 2014 to 2024.
Q: Has the Audi Q5 been recalled? A: The Audi Q5 appears in the top 20 with 25 recalls, with years in this dataset running from 2014 to 2024.
Q: Was the Acura MDX recalled in this dataset? A: Yes. The Acura MDX is listed with 20 recalls, covering 2014 to 2024.
Q: Why is my car being recalled? A: This dataset does not provide recall reasons. It reports model recall counts, such as 51 for the BMW X5 and 43 for the BMW X3.
Q: What happens when your car is recalled? A: This dataset does not include remedy or notification details. It only identifies models and counts, such as 34 for the Chevrolet Suburban and 28 for the Cadillac Escalade.
Sources
How to cite
Alex Whitman (2026). Top 20 models by NHTSA recall count. AutoIndex24 Research. https://auto-index24.com/studies/us-recall-prone