These 5 auto recalls affected the largest number of vehicles in 2024

Automakers recalled millions of vehicles over the course of 2024 to address a variety of issues, typically related to the safety of the driver and passengers.The five recalls with the largest potentially affected vehicle populations this year came from four different automakers: Tesla, Ford, Honda and FCA US, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Each involved upward of 1 million vehicles, with one of the recalls covering over 2 million.According to NHTSA data, they were: In late January, Tesla recalled 2.19 million vehicles because the font for the brake, park and antilock brake system warning lights shown within their instrument panels was smaller than the size required by federal safety standards.The electric vehicle maker, run by billionaire Elon Musk, rolled out an over-the-air software update to the recalled 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X and 2019-2024 Model Y vehicles to make the font bigger and resolve the issue, according to NHTSA.

The update was free.At the time, Tesla said it was “not aware of any crashes, injuries or deaths that may be related” to the issue. Ford’s recall of nearly 1.89 million of its 2011-2019 Explorer SUVs in January was prompted by a possible issue with the A-pillar trims that bordered “the right and left side of the windshield,” according to the recall report.The trims on the recalled SUVs “may detach from vehicle,” the automaker said at the time.It linked the potential issue to the trim retention clips, which it said may not have been “property engaged due to improper assembly or repair.”It is estimated that 5% of the recall population was affected, per the report.

When the company recalled the SUVs, it said the issue hadn’t resulted in any crashes or injuries.  The fix involved taking the recalled Explorers to a dealership and getting replacement A-pillar exterior trim if needed.The July recall of roughly 1.85 million Model 3, Model...