agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Q3 Auto Recalls Spike Doesn’t Tell Full Story

Callbacks have hit a multiyear low by event and volume.

November 19, 2025
 Q3 Auto Recalls Spike Doesn’t Tell Full Story

Backup crash-prevention systems led to the recall of more units than any other category, both in the third quarter and year to date. 

Credit:

Pexels/Erik McIean

1 min to read


The volume of recalled vehicles jumped 25% in the third quarter, despite the number of recall events declining.

Sedgwick data shows about 9.2 million units called back over the period, including one involving more than a million vehicles. 

Ad Loading...

Year to date, though, recalls are down to a five-year low by recall event count and a 13-year low by unit volume, the data provider said. Third-quarter recalls totaled 676, affecting 20.3 million units.

Electrical systems led all recall event causes for the fourth consecutive quarter as they caused 40, Sedgwick said. The category was followed by structural issues, which were behind 24 events, and equipment issues at 23.

By volume, though, backup crash-prevention systems led to the recall of more units than any other category, both in the quarter and year to date, according to the data. In fact, the component’s unit volume effect in the second and third quarters was the highest in a decade, Sedgwick said. In the third quarter the systems were behind the recall of about 2.1 million vehicles, including about 1½ million units of Toyota, Lexus and Subaru models this month.

Electrical systems came second by volume in the quarter at 1.6 million units, almost tied with gasoline systems.

LEARN MORE: Ford Doubles Down on Backup Cameras

Originally posted on F&I and Showroom

More Industry

red car parked in front of a sunset, The Used Market Divide, Agent Entrepreneur
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJuly 23, 2026

Used EVs Defy Overall Market

While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.

Read More →
Photo of a retriever dog looking out of an open SUV window with a yellow Peugeot headrest on the top of the window below it
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 16, 2026

Gone to the Dogs

A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.

Read More →
Aerial shot of a car dealership
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 13, 2026

OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution

Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Foreign Cars Italia dealership store in front of sunset
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 2, 2026

Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands

A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.

Read More →
inside of car, person with hands on black steering wheel
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJuly 2, 2026

Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars

At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.

Read More →
Woman's hands holding an wallet empty of cash
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 1, 2026

Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt

Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rob Mancuso sitting in a chair on stage
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 1, 2026

Agent Advocate

Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.

Read More →
Photo of a touchscreen on a car's dashboard
Industryby Hannah MitchellJune 25, 2026

Driving Under Distraction

Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.

Read More →
split background green and blue. 2019 to 2025 with car going from starting location to end point. $37,310 and $48,402. Agent Entrepreneur logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJune 25, 2026

Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past

More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of multiple new SUVs on a car dealership lot
Industryby Hannah MitchellJune 22, 2026

State Follows Federal Warning on Auto Ads

The Massachusetts attorney general cautioned the state’s automotive dealers to be upfront with the consuming public about their vehicle prices or risk punishment.

Read More →
Ad Loading...