Automotive News: Vehicle Recalls over the past 3-months, and year
Vehicle safety recalls are issued by manufacturers or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when a defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to comply with federal standards. From mid-August to mid-November 2025, several significant recalls affected hundreds of thousands of vehicles, with issues ranging from fire risks in plug-in hybrids to backup camera failures and engine debris.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
While hundreds of smaller recalls occur annually, the period saw a focus on high-volume campaigns involving popular models from Toyota/Lexus/Subaru, Stellantis (Jeep), BMW, Honda, and others.
Owners should immediately check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the official NHTSA website (nhtsa.gov/recalls) or contact their dealer, as repairs are free. Many recalls include “park outside” advisories for fire risks or interim notifications while remedies are developed.
Key Recalls (August–November 2025)
| Manufacturer | Affected Vehicles | Approximate U.S. Vehicles | Issue | Remedy/Status | Recall Date (Approx.) |
| Toyota/Lexus/Subaru | Various 2022–2026 models (e.g., Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Lexus RX/NX, Subaru Solterra) | Over 1 million | Backup camera image may fail to display or show distorted view due to software glitch, reducing rear visibility | Over-the-air (OTA) or dealer software update (remedy pending for some) | Early November 2025 |
| Stellantis (Jeep) | 2020–2025 Wrangler 4xe PHEV 2022–2026 Grand Cherokee 4xe PHEV |
320,000+ | High-voltage battery pack defect may cause internal short circuit, leading to fire risk (even when parked/off) | Park outside & avoid charging; battery inspection/replacement (expanded from prior recalls) | November 2025 (expanded) |
| Stellantis (Jeep) | 2023–2025 Grand Cherokee 4xe 2024–2025 Wrangler 4xe |
~113,000 | Engine debris may cause bearing failure, loss of power, or engine compartment fire | Remedy under development; interim letters sent | Mid-November 2025 |
| Toyota/Lexus | ~127,000 Tundra, Lexus GX/LX (V35A twin-turbo V6 engines) | 127,000 | Manufacturing debris in engine may contaminate oil, causing stall or loss of drive power | Dealer engine inspection/replacement | November 2025 |
| BMW | Various models (details phased; includes some Toyota Supra) | Nearly 200,000 | Battery/electrical issue risking fire (park outside advisory) | Phased recall; park outside until repaired | September 2025 |
| Honda | Accessory wheels for 2016–2021 Civic | ~406,000 wheels | Wheels may crack or detach | Inspection/replacement | November 2025 |
| Ford | 2017–2019 Ford Flex | ~65,000 | Door trim may detach while driving | Dealer repair | Late October 2025 |
Notable Trends and Advice
– Fire Risks in PHEVs/EVs: Jeep’s multiple recalls highlight ongoing challenges with high-voltage batteries in plug-in hybrids. Owners of affected Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe models received urgent “park outside and do not charge” warnings, as fires can occur without warning.
– Visibility Issues: Backup camera and rearview problems dominated, affecting millions across brands (including cross-manufacturer parts sharing, e.g., Toyota/Subaru/Lexus).
– Engine Concerns: Debris-related failures in new twin-turbo engines (Toyota/Lexus) underscore manufacturing quality challenges in complex powertrains.
– Total Impact: While exact totals for the exact 90-day window are not aggregated in a single NHTSA report, major campaigns alone exceeded 2 million vehicles, part of a broader 2025 trend where Ford, Stellantis, and Toyota have led in recall volume year-to-date.
Recalls are serious—unrepaired defects contribute to crashes, injuries, and fires. Even if your vehicle seems fine, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the most accurate, up-to-date information. Manufacturers must notify owners by mail, but checking proactively is recommended, especially for used vehicles where notifications may be missed.
Stay safe: If your vehicle is recalled, schedule the free repair immediately. For the latest updates, visit NHTSA’s recall portal or sign up for email alerts.
Major Automobile Recalls in the USA: January 1 – November 18, 2025
2025 has been a challenging year for vehicle safety, with over 30 million vehicles affected by recalls year-to-date (based on quarterly aggregates: ~3.4M in Q1, ~7.3M in Q2, ~8.5M in Q3, and ongoing in Q4). Ford Motor Company leads with a record-breaking 103+ recall campaigns (surpassing previous annual highs), affecting millions of vehicles across issues like seat belts, fuel pumps, rearview cameras, and fire risks. Other manufacturers with high volumes include Stellantis (Jeep/Ram PHEV battery fires), Toyota/Lexus (engine debris and camera failures), BMW, GM, and Hyundai/Kia.
Common themes in 2025 recalls:
– Rearview/backup camera failures (non-compliance with FMVSS 111)
– High-voltage battery fire risks in PHEVs/EVs
– Engine manufacturing debris causing stalls or fires
– Seat belt and airbag defects
– Software glitches fixable via OTA updates (increasingly common, especially Tesla)
The table below highlights the largest individual recall campaigns in 2025 (focusing on those affecting 100,000+ U.S. vehicles where data is confirmed). Note: Many recalls are multi-brand or shared-platform.
| Manufacturer | Affected Models (Examples) | Approx. U.S. Vehicles Affected | Primary Issue | Remedy / Advisory | Recall Date (Approx.) |
| Toyota / Lexus / Subaru | Various (Camry, RAV4, Highlander, RX/NX, Solterra, etc.) | 1,000,000+ | Backup camera failure or distortion (software glitch) | OTA or dealer software update | November 2025 |
| Ford Motor Company | Multiple models (Explorer, F-150, Expedition, etc.) | 1,100,000+ (one campaign) | Rearview camera blank/frozen image | Software update | May 2025 |
| Ford Motor Company | Various (multiple campaigns) | 850,000+ | Low-pressure fuel pump failure → engine stall | Dealer inspection/replacement | Mid-2025 |
| Ford Motor Company | Various | 700,000+ | Fuel leak → fire risk | Repair fuel lines/injectors | Mid-2025 |
| Stellantis (Jeep) | Wrangler 4xe & Grand Cherokee 4xe PHEV | 320,000+ (cumulative/expanded) | High-voltage battery short circuit → fire (even when parked) | Park outside, no charging; battery replacement | Ongoing expansions 2025 |
| General Motors | Full-size trucks/SUVs (Silverado, Tahoe, Escalade, etc. with 6.2L V8) | 721,000+ (initial) + expansions | Engine connecting rod/crankshaft failure → stall/fire | Engine replacement | April–October 2025 |
| Toyota / Lexus | Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, GX, LX (V35A engine) | 443,000+ (one campaign) + 127,000 | Reverse lamp failure (moisture); engine debris → stall | Lamp/seal replacement; engine inspection/replace | May & November 2025 |
| Hyundai | Palisade | 500,000+ | Seat belt pretensioner may not latch properly | Inspection/replacement | 2025 |
| BMW (incl. some Toyota Supra) | Various | 400,000+ (phased) | Battery/electrical fire risk | Park outside advisory; repair | September 2025+ |
| Honda | Accessory wheels on Civic | 406,000 wheels | Wheels may crack/detach | Inspection/replacement | November 2025 |
| Stellantis (Jeep) | Grand Cherokee 4xe & Wrangler 4xe | 113,000+ | Engine debris → bearing failure/fire | Remedy pending; interim notifications | November 2025 |
Key Insights for 2025
– Ford’s Record Year — Broke the single-year recall campaign record (previously ~77) with 103–110+ campaigns by October, driven by supply-chain and software issues in high-volume models.
– PHEV/EV Fire Risks — Jeep 4xe models saw multiple expansions; similar battery concerns hit BMW and others.
– Camera & Visibility Issues — The most frequent defect category, often fixed via OTA updates.
– Total Volume — Year-to-date exceeds 30 million vehicles/equipment (higher than many recent years), though OTA fixes reduce physical visits.
Always check your specific vehicle: Recalls are free, and some include urgent “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside” warnings. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recall for the latest status—manufacturers sometimes expand campaigns months later. Stay safe!