Critical recalls labeled as “Do Not Drive” have increased by over 65% since the summer of 2024 and now affect about 725,000 vehicles nationwide. California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona account for the highest concentrations of these unrepaired vehicles, drawing attention to the need for each driver to check their vehicle’s status regarding recalls.
A dangerous increase in critical recalls
Automakers have had “Do Not Drive” recalls on file for vehicles since the summer of 2024 with the recent one being, Ford to recall more than 355,000 trucks due to instrument panel issue – These are the models and years of manufacture affected by the…The pace has been unprecedented in terms of the volume that has been added to the recall list. These recalls target defects severe enough that they can range between potential brake failures or airbags that can deploy explosively, with advice for owners to park their vehicles right away and arrange for dealership repair at no cost to them. This is a huge jump, as according to CARFAX data, the Do-Not-Drive recalls have shot up nearly 65%, from about 440,000 to approximately 725,000.
What triggers a “Do Not Drive” recall?
Property damage or bodily injury include severity levels that qualify for a “Do Not Drive” recall. Unlike a standard safety recall, a “Do Not Drive” advisory comes with an urgent warning, such as:
- Failures in brake systems, resulting in a drastic reduction in stopping power.
- Explosive ruptures in airbag inflators that produce defective airbags.
- Fire risks from fuel system leaks or electrical faults.
- Aspects of the steering or suspension that could get someone out of control of a vehicle suddenly.
A crash, fire, or serious injury, as defined by these issues as being imminent threats, leads both manufacturers and federal regulators to urge owners never to use the vehicles under any conditions, not even for short trips.
Where the impact is greatest
According to the CARFAX analysis, these are the states with the highest numbers of vehicles currently being recalled under the “Do Not Drive” recall category. Just four states account for over one-third of the affected vehicles:
| Rank | State | Affected Vehicles | Rank |
| 1 | California | 118,400 | 1 |
| 2 | Texas | 61,200 | 2 |
| 3 | Florida | 40,600 | 3 |
| 4 | Arizona | 28,000 | 4 |
All four states comprise nearly 248,200 vehicles, or about 34% of the national cumulative total. Ohio (25,400), Pennsylvania (23,500), North Carolina (22,400) and Georgia and Tennessee (21,900 and 21,300, respectively) are among states with more than 20,000 vehicles under “Do Not Drive” advisories.
The cost of ignoring recalls
When it comes to safety recalls, Patrick Olsen, a CARFAX editor-in-chief, warns lives can be lost with oversight or ignoring. Even a few hours’ delay may have dreadful consequences in the following cases door handles won’t open:
- Exploding airbags have killed and seriously injured many people.
- Faulty brakes or suspension failures have resulted in people needlessly getting into wrecks.
- Electrical or fuel leaks have ignited fires and threatened drivers, passengers, and first responders.
Despite the unique quality of offering free repairs and persistent notification-at-the-consumer level, for example, state DMV recall search services, it seems that most vehicle owners are still oblivious about impending recall repair or, even worse, resistant to action.
Excellent progress, yet continued challenges
Of course, Do Not Drive recalls have gone through the roof, but the overall number of unrepaired recalls from U.S. vehicles has dropped by some 4 million in the last year and has landed at 54.6 million nationwide. Such a decline speaks volume about the effectiveness of:
- CARFAX free online tools for checking recalls.
- The Vehicle Recall Search Service used by many state DMVs to flag unresolved recalls.
- Public campaigns conducted by automakers and NHTSA to raise awareness.
But hundreds of thousands of dangerous vehicles remain on the road.
What drivers should do now
- Check your vehicle: Go to Carfax.com/recall or NHTSA.gov, and enter your vehicle’s 17-digit VIN to find out if it’s affected by a “Do Not Drive” recall or any other recall.
- Schedule free repairs: Immediately park your affected vehicle and call your local dealership to arrange towing and repair at no cost.
- Monitor recall notices: Sign up for alerts through the CARFAX Car Care app or your vehicle manufacturer’s notification system to stay informed about future recalls.
- Spread the word: Share recall information with family and friends-especially with those living in states with high concentrations of affected vehicles.
Timely repair of recalls not only saves lives but also helps sustain the integrity and resale value of your vehicle. Don’t let it become another statistic; take action now.
