BMW recalled more cars than any other brand in 2024

• BMW was the most recalled car brand in the UK in 2024
• Mercedes A-Class was the most recalled individual model
• Audi, Kia and Land Rover also in the top five most recalled brands

BMW recalled more cars than any other car maker in 2024, new data from the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed. Out of 2,269,491 recalled vehicles throughout the year, 28% of them were BMWs – nearly double the number of the manufacturer in second place, Mercedes. Kia, Audi and Land Rover took third through to fifth positions, respectively.

Out of the 637,317 BMWs that were recalled in the UK, over 80% had issues with their airbag system. The affected cars were at risk of releasing sharp metal fragments if the airbag deployed, potentially causing serious harm to passengers. The most recalled BMW models by far were the 3 Series and 1 Series, while the X3, 5 Series and X1 were also heavily recalled.

However, the most recalled model of 2024 was actually the Mercedes A-Class. Over 180,000 were recalled to dealerships to fix an issue with the steering software, which meant a loss of steering control couldn’t be ruled out. Mercedes as a brand accounted for 15% of all recalled vehicles in the UK in 2024.

Other models that received a high number of recalls were the Audi A4 (90,607), Audi A6 (74,309), Land Rover Defender (63,828) and the Kia Rio (59,379).

At the other end of the spectrum, Dacia only recalled 34 cars in 2024 – all of them second-generation Dacia Dusters. Similarly, Polestar recalled just 11 cars throughout the year, while there were seven Maseratis recalled in total. It’s important to note that Tesla was not included in the data provided by the DVSA. 

What does this mean for car buyers?

Recalls are generally regarded as a good thing – it shows the manufacturer is prepared to fix any safety issues that it’s identified after cars have been sold, sometimes many years later. Most are precautionary, rectifying issues that have a small chance of cropping up.

The particularly high number of BMWs recalled in 2024 could be a bit alarming. It appears that the majority of the cars affected have been identified as having potentially faulty airbags installed as part of a previous recall or aftermarket fitment. Similar problems have been identified in North America and China, all relating to airbags manufactured by Takata.

If your car is recalled by the manufacturer, you should receive a letter in the post informing you and offering a free repair. It’s vital that you follow up on the recall – there’s no charge involved and it will ensure that your car is safe to drive.

Find out who was the best-selling car brand in the UK in 2024…