{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "methodology_version": "nhtsa-software-recalled-component/v1",
  "generated_at": "2026-06-24",
  "title": "Software Is Now the Most-Recalled Vehicle Component.",
  "source": {
    "name": "NHTSA ODI Recalls flat files",
    "table": "public.nhtsa_recalls",
    "snapshot_date": "2026-06-24",
    "publisher": "U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration",
    "license": "US-Government-Works",
    "source_file": "FLAT_RCL_POST_2010.txt inside FLAT_RCL_POST_2010.zip",
    "source_url": "https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/ffdd/rcl/FLAT_RCL_POST_2010.zip",
    "docs_url": "https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis"
  },
  "total_recall_records": 242041,
  "unit_of_analysis": "Recall records are affected make x model x model-year x campaign rows under an NHTSA recall campaign; they are not unique campaigns.",
  "top_components": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "label": "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE",
      "recall_records": 20508
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "label": "TIRES:MARKINGS",
      "recall_records": 19460
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "label": "COMMUNICATION:AUTO CRASH NOTIFICATION",
      "recall_records": 16688
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "label": "EQUIPMENT",
      "recall_records": 9993
    },
    {
      "rank": 5,
      "label": "FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP",
      "recall_records": 8404
    }
  ],
  "top_manufacturers": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "label": "Mercedes-Benz USA",
      "recall_records": 44209
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "label": "Prinx Chengshan Tire",
      "recall_records": 19321
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "label": "Toyota Motor Eng. & Mfg",
      "recall_records": 14123
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "label": "Ford",
      "recall_records": 12587
    },
    {
      "rank": 5,
      "label": "Honda",
      "recall_records": 12091
    }
  ],
  "coverage_note": "Counts are aggregate recall-record counts from the current NHTSA recalls table snapshot. They do not count unique campaign numbers, affected vehicles, injuries, complaints, or manufacturer fault."
}