2024 Car Recalls and Safety Alerts

Inflation-weary Americans are prioritizing where they spend their money, and increasingly, it’s not for a new car. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports the average number of new car sales, on a four-year rolling average, has fallen to 15.5 million, down from 17.7 million in 2019.

That trend has increased the age of cars currently on the road. According to Statista, passenger cars and light trucks in the United States had an average age of 12.6 years in 2024. That’s a slight increase from 12.5 years in 2023. 

Consumers who can drive their cars longer stand to benefit financially. If their car has been paid for years earlier, the owner saves several thousand dollars a year by not making car payments. 

They also may benefit from lower insurance costs. In many cases, it costs less to insure a 12-year-old car than a new one.

In a change from the past, today’s vehicles can last well over 100,000 miles, if well-maintained. But the older a vehicle gets, those maintenance needs tend to rise. And so do the costs.

Rising maintenance costs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the cost of vehicle maintenance and repair rose 1.1% from September to October and is up 5.8% over the last 12 months.

While regular maintenance is important to keep older vehicles running, the Wall Street Journal reports there is anecdotal evidence that inflation is weighing on consumers’ maintenance schedules.

The Journal notes that the stock price of Monro, a chain of tire stores, fell by 12% when it revealed that same-store sales had fallen this year. People were still buying tires, the company said, but they were trading down to cheaper ones.

The stock price of Genuine Parts, the parent company of Napa, suffered a 20% decline in September when the company reported a steep drop in sales to retail customers.

Consumers are buying older used cars

In July, automotive website iSeeCars released a study showing Americans are not only keeping their vehicles longer, they’re buying older cars and trucks to begin with. While they’re saving money, the study shows they’re not saving as much as in the past.

The market share of the purchase of cars 10 years old or older has increased by 30% since 2014. Despite their increased market share, the price of older cars has gone up by 60% since 2014.

Older sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks make up 16 of the 20 vehicles with the biggest growth in older car market share, the study found.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the vehicles from the 2025 model year that will be tested for its 5-Star Safety Ratings as part of the New Car Assessment Program. 

These vehicles, along with previously tested models that haven't changed much, will account for about 87% of the new cars on the market. This wide range of tested vehicles will help consumers choose the safest option that meets their needs.

This year, 37 vehicles have been chosen for testing, including eight electric and hybrid models. They will be tested in various crash scenarios like front, side, and rollover crashes. NHTSA will also test five vehicles to check how well their advanced safety features work, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support.

"NHTSA is dedicated to giving people the most accurate safety information to help them choose the right car," said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman. "The 5-Star Safety Ratings program encourages automakers to add advanced safety features to more vehicles, saving lives and reducing injuries on our roads."

The safety ratings, ranging from one star (lowest) to five stars (highest), will be available at NHTSA.gov/Ratings and on new car window stickers once testing is done. The New Car Assessment Program supports the Department's National Roadway Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce serious injuries and deaths on U.S. highways and streets.