Top most recalled car brands: Top 1 will surprise you! 4

A new study shows that the average car is expected to be recalled about four times in its lifetime, while the Tesla Model Y is expected to have up to…62 recalls.

In reality, no one wants their vehicle to receive a recall notice, but in 2022 there were more than 400 auto recalls issued, affecting more than 25 million vehicles.

The 2021 number is even higher: more than 1,000 recalls involving more than 35 million vehicles.

Automobiles, like any mass-produced item, can have issues related to components and finish quality, meaning every vehicle is subject to a potential safety recall.

Tesla is the most recalled brand.

However, according to the latest research by vehicle specialist site iSeeCars, the likelihood of a recall varies quite significantly  between car models.

iSeeCars analyzed data on vehicle recall campaigns provided by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over the past 10 years to calculate the expected number of recalls over a 30-year life cycle.

The average for the number of expected lifetime recalls across all brands is four.

The vehicles with the fewest recalls have one or fewer expected recalls on average;

10 car models with the highest expected number of recalls
TT Name Expected number of recalls in 30-year life cycle (times)
first Tesla Model Y 62.4
2 Porsche Panamera 61.8
3 Tesla Model 3 56.8
4 Tesla Model X 27.3
5 Tesla Model S 26.4
6 Lincoln Aviator 23.0
7 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 22.4
8 Volkswagen Atlas 20.8
9 Ram 1500 20.5
ten Ram 1500 Classic 20.5

The second and third positions are taken by Porsche Panamera with 61.8 times and Tesla Model 3 with 56.8 times.

Notably, Tesla is also the car brand with the most recalls.

Porsche also has 4 car models on the list with the most recalls.

Meanwhile, brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota appear the fewest on the recall list.

Vehicles that make the list with the fewest recalls are expected to experience one or fewer during their lifetime.

10 car models with the least expected number of recalls
TT Name Expected number of recalls in 30-year life cycle (times)
first MINI Convertible 0.2
2 Lexus NX 300h 0.3
3 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 0.5
4 Mercedes-Benz CLA 0.5
5 Lexus RX 450h 0.5
6 Nissan 370Z 0.5
7 Hyundai Elantra GT 0.6
8 Mercedes-Benz GLA 0.6
9 Mercedes-Benz GLC 0.7
ten Lexus IS 300 0.7

“Recall rates may vary between makes and models, but the actual numbers should not deviate too much from expectations,” iSeeCars analyst Karl Brauer said.

“For consumers who don’t want to get too involved with recalls, premium models have significantly lower risk than entry-level models, such as the Chevrolet Equinox or Honda Ridgeline, with four times the recall.

Top most recalled car brands: Top 1 will surprise you!

MINI Convertibles are the models with the least expected number of recalls.

In reality, many Tesla recalls could be handled with an over-the-air update instead of going to a dealership, but these are still pretty large numbers.

Additionally, iSeeCars has pointed out that Tesla models do not follow the usual recall trends.

According to iSeeCars