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TOTAL RECALL

6 cars that suffered the most recalls in the UK in 2024 including top-selling BMW – should YOU worry about your motor?

Including numerous issues around airbags

CARS have never been better – thanks to modern technology, years of trial and error, and enormous development budgets.

But every so often, even the biggest and best brands allow thousands of motors to roll off production lines with a hidden defect that’s then discovered and needs to be repaired or replaced.

According to , and with help from car-recalls.eu, 2024 saw 249 recalls to the Europe-wide Safety Gate system, across 256 models from 41 brands.

Using the data collected, they were able to identify the individual models that were recalled the most over the last 12 months.

Toyota ProAce – 5 recalls

Gray Toyota ProAce City Verso MPV on display.
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Toyota ProAceCredit: Getty

The latest generation model of Toyota’s ProAce, the Japanese brand’s range of diesel and electric vans, was recalled for issues with seating and the rear suspension in 2024.

What’s more, the ProAce City was affected by several issues, including a timing belt fault in the 2022 model, a hydraulic braking issue in the 2023 to 2024 version, and a gearbox oil leak in models built between 2019 and 2021.

Read more Motors News

Mercedes-Benz GLE – 5 recalls

Black Mercedes-Benz GLE 350e PHEV parked by a river.
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Mercedes-Benz GLECredit: Getty

Merc’s plush mid-size SUV has been championed in the past for its size, comfort, and space, but last year it was affected by a handful of issues.

These included a hydraulic steering problem with the 2010 to 2016 model, along with a fault in the 48V electrical system in the 2017 to 2023 iteration.

GLE examples from 2021 equipped with a 12V electrical system were also recalled, while 2023 examples were recalled for an accelerator pedal attachment issue.

Additionally, 2019 to 2023 examples were affected by a braking issue.

Mercedes C-Class – 5 recalls

Black Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan parked on a city street.
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Mercedes C-ClassCredit: Getty

Merc’s equally plush C-Class, from 2010 to 2016, was affected by a power steering issue, while newer examples from 2021 to 2022 experienced a wiring harness issue.

Faults with the 80A fuse and the attachment of the fuel tank led to recalls of the 2023 C-Class.

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Those who forked out for the C-Class AMG models from 2022 to 2022 were also informed of an issue with the wiring harness on the rear axle.

BMW X3 – 5 recalls

Blue BMW X3 driving on a highway.
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BMW X3Credit: Getty

BMW’s compact SUV, known for its sporty handling, had several airbag-related recalls last year.

Recalls were issued for X3 examples built during 2003 to 2018, 2004 to 2005, 2006 to 2008, and 2012 to 2014.

However, examples built between 2019 and 2021 didn’t escape issues either, as these were also recalled for a problem with the attachment of the rear lashing rails in the boot.

BMW 5 Series – 5 recalls

BMW 5 Series and i5.
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BMW 5 SeriesCredit: DANIEL KRAUS / BMW AG For press purposes only

BMW’s hugely popular 5 Series, including the M5 model from 2024, saw numerous recalls in 2024.

Examples built during 2003 to 2018 and 2012 to 2014 were each recalled for separate airbag issues.

Newer examples from 2022 to 2024 were brought back after a servomotor issue was discovered.

2024 5 Series examples, including the aforementioned M5 pictured, were recalled for issues with a steering rotation bushing.

There was another recall relating to Isofix clips, while examples built between 2022 and 2024 were affected by a fault with the integrated braking system.

BMW 3 Series – 7 recalls

BMW 3 Series driving on a highway.
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BMW 3 SeriesCredit: Getty

The mighty BMW 3 Series saw an equally mighty seven recalls in 2024 across various generation models.

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Most of these were airbag-related, including models from 2003 to 2018, 2004 to 2005, 2006 to 2008, 2012 to 2014, 2013 to 2014, and 2024.

In addition, examples of the 3 Series built during 2018 to 2020 were recalled for an issue with the starter motor software.

Honourable mentions...

  • BMW 1 Series – 4 recalls
  • BMW 2 Series – 4 recalls
  • BMW X5 – 4 recalls
  • Citroen Berlingo – 4 recalls
  • Ford Kuga – 4 recalls
  • Ford Transit – 4 recalls
  • Mercedes-Benz E-Class – 4 recalls
  • Mercedes-Benz EQS – 4 recalls
  • Opel Corsa – 4 recalls
  • Peugeot 208 – 4 recalls
  • Toyota Corolla – 4 recalls
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