Every UK Car Recall In 2023, With The Biggest Recalls And The Most Common Faults

Recall data from DVSA, updated 15 October 2026.

DVSA's data lists 324 car and light van recalls launched in 2023, covering about 1,897,245 vehicle-records. That compares with 331 in 2022. The year after is listed under 2024.

2023 was dominated by airbag recalls. The largest, BMW's R/2023/016, covered 333,284 vehicle-records across the 1 Series, 2 Series and other models, because the propellant in some airbags could degrade and make deployment too aggressive. Volkswagen's Takata front airbag recall, R/2023/178, followed with 287,441, and SEAT and Toyota ran their own airbag recalls for the Alhambra, Ibiza, Leon and Avensis. Away from airbags, Audi recalled the A3 and Q2 for an electrical connector in the fuse box power supply (R/2023/254). The year also saw high-voltage battery recalls reach a new high of 46, as more electric and plug-in cars reached UK roads. Recalls from 2023 still apply to any car that wasn't fixed, so check your registration if your car is from that era.

2023 At A Glance

324
recalls launched in 2023
1,897,245
vehicle-records recalled in 2023
28%
of 2023 recalls fixed by a software update

28% of 2023's recalls included a software update. Vehicle-records are the manufacturers' estimates added together, and one car can appear in several recalls. See how we count.

The Biggest Recalls Of 2023

The ten largest recalls launched in 2023, by vehicle-records.

LaunchedVehicle and faultVehiclesSeverityReference
BMW 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 2 Series, 2 Series Active and 21 moreA possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture333,284UrgentR/2023/016
Volkswagen Beetle (5C), Crafter, EOS (1F), FOX (5Z) and 18 moreTakata front airbag287,441UrgentR/2023/178
Audi A3, Q2On affected vehicles an electrical connector for the power supply for the fuse carrier in the interior of the vehicle may have not been installed correctly104,162LowR/2023/254
Toyota AvensisDriver's air bag inflator may rupture upon deployment77,926UrgentR/2022/346
SEAT Alhambra, Ateca, Ibiza, Leon and 1 moreFront driver airbag replacement52,322UrgentR/2023/273
Mercedes-Benz C Class, CLS, E Class, GL and 6 moreOn affected vehicles the aluminium bolts of the steering gear could corrode and break due to the intrusion of moisture51,251UrgentR/2023/023
Kia Sportage SLEAn electrical circuit within the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience a short circuit condition that results in excessive current46,181UrgentR/2023/015
BMW X5, X6The driver and front passenger airbags may deploy with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released into the cabin44,407UrgentR/2023/224
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 907, Sprinter 910On affected vehicles the fuse layout of the interior blower might not meet the requirements for permanent operation under the highest blower level44,028LowR/2023/192
Nissan MicraIn certain vehicles should the driver s seat be set in the position where it coincides with a design feature in the upper rail it may in certain conditions exceed the stress limits of the rail material41,191LowR/2023/095

Recalls By Month

Highest: Apr (46). Latest: Dec (27). Source: DVSA recall data.

Monthly totals rise and fall with large campaigns, which manufacturers often register as several references on the same day.

The Most Common Faults In 2023

A recall can involve more than one type of fault, so the rows overlap. Each fault type links to a page with warning signs and what to do.

Every Recall In 2023

322 recalls

LaunchedVehicle and faultVehiclesSeverityReference
Porsche Boxster, CaymanOn affected vehicles the rear spoiler setting may not meet specifications due to incorrect coding during production making it too high. The high-mounted brake light may become less visible while driving and the aerodynamics of the vehicle may change45Book soonR/2024/001
Volkswagen TouaregOn certain vehicles the side airbag fitted in the seat (front left) may not have been correctly secured onto the seat frame89UrgentR/2023/356
BMW X3, X4On affected vehicles the three screws connecting the electric motor to the steering gear are potentially not fastened correctly46UrgentR/2023/355
BMW 3 Series Touring, M3, M3 Touring, X3 and 5 moreOn affected vehicles ingress of transmission fluid may occur to the integrated transmission control unit within the mechatronic module26LowR/2023/354
Toyota BZ4XOn affected vehicles due to a programming error there is a possibility that a multi-information display used for warning and indicator lights vehicle gauges messages etc will become blank and will not display certain warnings and indicators. As a result other functions such as turn signal lamps hazard lights and the Pre-Collision System will be deactivated and the vehicle may not meet certain regulations. Driving without these functions may result in an increased risk of a crash in certain driving conditions2,289LowR/2023/333
Jeep Avenger BEVHigh voltage battery homologation label130UrgentR/2023/327
Tesla Model XOn certain MY 2021-2023 Model X vehicles the vehicle controller that detects the sensor voltage that indicates brake fluid level may not have a sufficient threshold range at low fluid levels. A vehicle controller that does not correctly indicate low brake fluid levels to the customer100UrgentR/2023/351
Tesla Model XA first-row seat belt was disconnected from its pretensioner anchor as part of a necessary step to perform a repair during a service visit. After the repair was completed on certain affected vehicles the first-row seat belt may not have been reconnected to its pretensioner anchor to specification3UrgentR/2023/350
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Sprinter 906On affected vehicles the fuel filter heater may be deactivated. If this happens a fuel gelling may occur at low temperatures and an unexpected loss of propulsion cannot be ruled out18UrgentR/2023/348
Mercedes-Benz EQE, GLCOn affected vehicles the bonding of the front rear and fixed side windows might not meet specifications14LowR/2023/328
RAM 1500 Pickup (dt)Rear view camera1UrgentR/2023/325
RAM 1500 Pickup (dt)Powertrain control module software24UrgentR/2023/324
RAM 1500 Pickup (dt), 2500 Pickup (dj), 3500 Pickup (df)Rear view camera visibilityNot statedBook soonR/2023/321
Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEVIntegrated Dual Charging Module (IDCM) may not be connected correctly318UrgentR/2023/267
Chevrolet SparkChevrolet UK Spark hood striker replacement20,091Book soonR/2024/003
Vauxhall Astra LOn affected vehicles the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) may not be able to be activated. In the worst case this can lead to unintentional self-braking due to premature activation of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) without there being anything in front of the vehicle. This is due to a metal sticker stuck in front of the radar module506UrgentR/2023/352
Ford TransitThe SYNC screen may display a blue or black image when the vehicle is placed in reverse or when the 360 degree view is selected and available (during low-speed operation)6,952LowR/2023/336
Fiat DobloVIN label and CoC addendum122Book soonR/2023/318
Fiat PandaSide airbag/head airbag crash sensor not correctly connected197UrgentR/2023/282
Peugeot 208On affected vehicles the A Pillar trim may be incorrectly assembled which could lead to detachment of the trim through lateral airbag deployment375UrgentR/2023/353
Volvo XC90The anchorage bolts for the second-row seat belts and seat belt buckles may not have been correctly secured. In a worst-case scenario this may not provide sufficient protection in the event of a collision572UrgentR/2023/345
Ford MustangSome Mustang vehicles have a brake system warning lamp in the vehicle s instrument cluster which may not illuminate if the brake fluid is depleted from the brake fluid reservoir2,456UrgentR/2023/342
McLaren ArturaMcLaren Artura69UrgentR/2023/339
Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover SportOn affected Range Rover vehicles fitted with V8 Gasoline NC11 engines the fixings used to secure the engine mounted oil cooler hoses have been found to have inadequate thread engagement67LowR/2023/338
Alpine A110On affected vehicles the fuel supply to the engine can be reduced or even made impossible due to the friction of the impeller an internal component of the fuel pump811UrgentR/2023/347

Recalls from 2023 still apply to any car that wasn't fixed.1 See do car recalls expire? and the latest UK car recalls.


Data: DVSA vehicle recall data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 October 2026.

Sources

  1. Code timelines: Producers normally respond to DVSA within 28 days (5.5); DVSA reviews are typically monthly (5.4). DVSA must be notified "as soon as the safety defect has been confirmed" (6.1). 3 notifications per motorist is seen as reasonable (8.3). Response rates are reported every three months (11.1).