Mitsubishi's Sparse US Recall History: Just 150 Actions in 40 Years vs. Ford's 153 in 2025 Alone

Mitsubishi’s Recall Record vs. Ford’s Record-Breaking 2025

Mitsubishi has issued just 150 US recalls since its debut with the NHTSA in 1987. In stark contrast, Ford filed 153 recall actions in 2025 alone, setting an all-time industry record. Only eight Mitsubishi recalls have been issued since the start of 2022.

Mitsubishi’s Recall History by the Numbers

Since its first NHTSA filing in 1987—five years after splitting from Chrysler to operate independently in the US—Mitsubishi’s recall tally stands at:

• 150 recall actions covering approximately 7.6 million vehicles.
• No other mainstream brand with a continuous US presence comes close to these figures.
• Ford’s 153 recalls in 2025 alone surpass Mitsubishi’s four-decade total.

Key Comparisons with Other Automakers

While Mitsubishi’s recall history is notably sparse, other brands show varying levels of activity:

• Suzuki: Recorded 112 actions, primarily before its 2012 exit from the US market, with a few additional recalls for remaining vehicles.
• Tesla: Issued 90 recalls over less than a decade, with an annualized rate exceeding several legacy luxury brands.

Mitsubishi’s Recall Trends Over the Decades

Mitsubishi’s recall activity has been inconsistent, with some years seeing no recalls at all—2024 being the most recent example. Even in its busiest years, the numbers pale in comparison to industry standards.

Peak Recall Years and Notable Exceptions

• 2000: The peak year, with over one million vehicles affected, primarily due to a single 567,432-unit lower ball joint boot recall.
• 2014–2018: The only sustained period of heightened activity, averaging eight recalls per year for five consecutive years.
• 2020: The busiest year of the current decade, with five recalls covering more than 361,000 vehicles.

Recent Recall Activity (2022–2026)

Since January 2022, Mitsubishi has issued only 16 recalls, including:

• 2026: Liftgate gas springs recall.
• 2025: Liftgate gas springs recall and rearview camera failure recall.
• 2023: Rearview camera failure recall.
• August 2022: Powertrain-related recall due to a software error causing engine stalls.

Ford’s Record-Breaking 2025 Recall Activity

Ford’s recall activity in 2025 reached unprecedented levels, with 153 recall actions—the highest ever recorded by a single automaker in a calendar year. While Ford sells approximately 22 times more vehicles in the US than Mitsubishi, sales volume does not fully explain the disparity in recall actions.

Top 3 Most Recalled US Automakers (1987–2026)

Why Mitsubishi’s Recall Record Stands Out

"Mitsubishi’s American recall record is unusually thin. Counting from its first filing in 1987, the tally sits at just 150 actions covering roughly 7.6 million vehicles. No other mainstream brand that has been selling here the whole time comes close."

Ford’s 2025 recall activity underscores the vast differences in recall strategies and vehicle reliability across automakers. While Mitsubishi’s minimal recall history may reflect fewer issues or a more conservative approach, Ford’s record-breaking numbers highlight the challenges of managing recalls at scale.