National reference figures
U.S. product recall statistics
The national reference figures behind PlainRecalls — 100,165 recalls from the CPSC, FDA and NHTSA, 1995–2026. Every number here is read live from the recall archive, not hand-entered.
Data as of · figures update as agencies publish new recalls. See the methodology for every derived number.
The headline
The federal recall archive holds 100,165 product recalls from 1995 to 2026, about 86% of them from the FDA's food, drug and device programs, with medical devices the single most-recalled product category (40,478).
- 100,165
- total recalls on file
- 1995–2026
- years covered
- 86%
- from FDA programs
- 40,478
- top category (medical devices)
Counts are distinct recall events across federal agencies, not units affected — one recall covering millions of units counts the same as one covering a single batch.
Recalls issued per year
Recall issuance peaked in 2016 with 8,148 recalls. Across 1995–2026 the archive averages about 3,130 recalls per year. Year-to-year swings track regulatory activity and detection methods, not only product safety.
Recalls issued per year
Distinct recall events across the CPSC, FDA and NHTSA, 2010–2026
Most-recalled product categories
Medical Devices leads with 40,478 recalls on record. The ten highest-volume categories below account for the bulk of the archive.
Most-recalled categories
Top 10 product categories by recall count on record
- Medical Devices
Medical Devices
40,478 recalls
- Food
Food
25,527 recalls
- Drugs & Medications 14,058
Drugs & Medications
14,058 recalls
- Vehicles 10,474
Vehicles
10,474 recalls
- Children & Baby Products 3,395
Children & Baby Products
3,395 recalls
- Household Products 2,800
Household Products
2,800 recalls
- Cosmetics & Personal Care 1,057
Cosmetics & Personal Care
1,057 recalls
- Dietary Supplements 717
Dietary Supplements
717 recalls
- Electronics 582
Electronics
582 recalls
- Outdoor & Sports 373
Outdoor & Sports
373 recalls
What this shows Higher counts reflect both how much of a category is on the market and how heavily it is inspected — not only relative risk.
Recalls by federal agency
FDA Medical Devices: 39,096 · FDA Food Safety: 28,966 · FDA Drug Safety: 17,683 · CPSC: 7,988 · NHTSA: 6,432. Each agency covers a different product domain — see the methodology for what is and isn't included.
Recalls by agency
Distinct recall events on record, by issuing federal agency
- FDA Medical Devices
FDA Medical Devices
39,096 recalls
- FDA Food Safety
FDA Food Safety
28,966 recalls
- FDA Drug Safety
FDA Drug Safety
17,683 recalls
- CPSC 7,988
CPSC
7,988 recalls
- NHTSA 6,432
NHTSA
6,432 recalls
What this shows The CPSC, FDA and NHTSA each regulate a distinct product domain; counts reflect the size of each domain in this archive.
Most-recalled companies
Zimmer Biomet, Inc. carries the most recalls on record (875 distinct events). Most-recalled firms tend to be the largest and most heavily inspected — more product lines and more scrutiny mean more notices, not necessarily worse safety.
| # | Company | Recalls on record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zimmer Biomet, Inc. | 875 |
| 2 | Medline Industries, LP - Northfield | 822 |
| 3 | Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc | 790 |
| 4 | Ford | 763 |
| 5 | Customed, Inc | 682 |
| 6 | Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc | 660 |
| 7 | Newly Weds Foods Inc | 657 |
| 8 | Icu Medical Inc | 651 |
| 9 | Garden-Fresh Foods, Inc. | 634 |
| 10 | Boston Scientific Corporation | 605 |
Full ranking: all recall rankings.
Severity breakdown
Of 100,165 classified recalls, 24% are high-severity (23,668), 72% moderate (72,097), and 4% lower-severity (4,400). Severity reflects the agency's own hazard classification at the time of the recall.
Using these figures
Every number on this page is read directly from the recall database at the data vintage shown above — nothing is estimated or hand-entered. Counts are distinct recall events, so a single recall covering millions of units counts the same as one covering a single batch; the figures measure issuance activity, not units affected or relative risk. A citation should include the as-of year. PlainRecalls is an independent reference and is not affiliated with the CPSC, FDA or NHTSA.
Put these figures to use
- Check whether a specific product you own has been recalled. Recall checker
- Browse every recall in the most-recalled category, medical devices. Medical Devices recalls
- See the full company and year rankings. Recall rankings
Counts measure issuance frequency, not severity or units affected — always read the individual recall notice for the hazard and remedy.
