Software-related vehicle recalls surge since 2014

Software issues account for more than 20% of vehicle recalls, according to a new report.

The findings were drawn from a decade’s worth of North Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall data, analyzed by the law firm DeMayo Law. Since 2014, the analysis found that recalls tied to software fixes increased about 11%.    

The numbers: 

• In 2104, 34 of 277 or 12% of recalls were software fixes, with a slight spike in 2015, before steadily growing from 2020.  

• In 2021, software-related issues accounted for 16% of vehicle recalls (61 out of 380).

• In 2023, 23% or 82 out of 356 vehicle recalls involved software fixes, up one percent from 2022.

Zeroing in: Over the past 10 years, Chrysler has had the highest number of recalls associated with software issues, with 82 different software issues.

• Ford was second with 66 software-related vehicle recalls, followed by Mercedes-Benz, with 60 NHTSA calls for software fixes issued.  

• In contrast, Tesla has only had 26 software-related vehicle recalls. Hyundai and Kia both have had 26 software recalls each since 2014.   

Worth noting: Many software-based recalls have been resolved with over-the-air updates (OTA). With remote capabilities, automakers are patching software themselves, meaning dealer intervention could be less and less needed.

Digging Deeper: The growing number of software-related vehicle recalls comes as no surprise, given how software components have become more prevalent in vehicles over the past 10 years. However, according to DeMayo Law, some vehicle software has been more problematic than others.  

• Software-related electrical system issues were the most common recall issues in the analysis.

• Preventive safety features, including reversing cameras, collision warnings, and automatic emergency braking, were also common recall fixes. 

• Other software recalls were tied to airbags, powertrains, and exterior lighting, according to DeMayo Law.       

Final word: With so much new tech coming down the pipeline, new car buyers are becoming more like beta testers. Automakers will have to better identify potential trouble spots with suppliers and throughout the manufacturing process (before they arise).

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