The number of critical “Do Not Drive” recalls has jumped more than 65% since the summer of 2024, to 725,000, according to CARFAX data.
Automakers working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issue “Do Not Drive” recalls when a vehicle’s defect is so dangerous that it should not be operated under any circumstances.
The risk of a crash, fire, or serious injury is so severe that both manufacturers and federal safety regulators advise owners to park the vehicle immediately and have it towed to a dealership for repairs. These recalls often involve critical safety systems, including brake failures or defective airbags that can explode.
Here are the Top 15 states with vehicles that have a “Do Not Drive” recall:
| 1 | CA | 118,400 |
| 2 | TX | 61,200 |
| 3 | FL | 40,600 |
| 4 | AZ | 28,000 |
| 5 | OH | 25,400 |
| 6 | PA | 23,500 |
| 7 | NC | 22,400 |
| 8 | GA | 21,900 |
| 9 | TN | 21,300 |
| 10 | IL | 18,800 |
| 11 | SC | 18,100 |
| 12 | VA | 18,100 |
| 13 | NY | 18,000 |
| 14 | MI | 17,500 |
| 15 | WA | 17,400 |
CARFAX data also found that the total number of vehicles in the country with at least one recall has dropped by about four million since last year, to 54.6 million vehicles with unrepaired recalls nationwide.