Should You Consider Buying These 10 Car Brands That Have the Most Recalls of All Time?
Whether you’re a gearhead with a long list of “must-haves” or just looking for a reliable ride to take you from A to Z, there’s a lot to consider when you’re choosing a new car.
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Safety is a big one, so should you worry about a brand’s recall history?
Just as with other consumer recalls, vehicle recalls are designed to keep the public safe. If a vehicle gets recalled, the manufacturer has to fix the issue, usually by repairing, refunding or replacing the problematic part or vehicle.
Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalls database has uncovered which car brands have issued the most recall notices, with Ford coming in at number one thanks to a total of 3,086 notices issued for its models.
Top 10 Most Recalled Car Brands
Ford
Chevrolet
Mercedes-Benz
Dodge
BMW
GMC
Freightliner
Mack
Volvo
Kenworth
Yes, recall history is one of the factors you need to consider, but it’s also important to look at recent models and safety ratings. The NHTSA lets you search vehicle safety ratings for individual makes, models and years. Consumer Reports and expert reviews are also a valuable snapshot into whether a car is right for you.
Here’s a closer look at the top five, including their reliability ratings from Consumer Reports:
1. Ford
Historical recall data: 3,086 unique recalls.
Common issues: Equipment adaptive/mobility.
Predicted reliability rating: 40/100.
2. Chevrolet
Historical recall data: 2,127 unique recalls.
Common issues: Service brakes, hydraulic.
Predicted reliability rating: 43/100.
3. Mercedes-Benz
Historical recall data: 1,860 unique recalls.
Common issues: Electrical system.
Predicted reliability rating: 23/100.
4. Dodge
Historical recall data: 1,503 unique recalls.
Common issues: Service brakes, hydraulic.
Predicted reliability rating: 42/100.
5. BMW
Historical recall data: 1,469 unique recalls.
Common issues: engine and cooling system.
Reliability: 64/100.
Are These Brands Still Worth Buying?
Technological advancements and improved safety protocols have made an impact, so it’s important to balance recall history with current safety assessments. While past recall figures provide important context to your purchase, they should be balanced against current safety assessments to determine whether car brands are still worth buying.
Remember, recalls aren’t necessarily a bad thing. They show that whatever the issue, it hasn’t gone unnoticed and the manufacturer is proactively fixing it to ensure your safety.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Should You Consider Buying These 10 Car Brands That Have the Most Recalls of All Time?