Dr. Andrew Malec recently published an article¹ examining the determinants of automotive recall completion rates in the United States. Amongst other findings, the research study finds that higher recall completion rates were found on vehicles believed to have severe defects, vehicles under multiple recalls, and on luxury vehicles. Older vehicles and trucks exhibited lower recall completion rates. The findings of the study suggests that it is possible for vehicle manufacturers to make refinements in how they estimate the cost of an automotive recall, as well as in their strategies to improve completion rates.

¹Malec, A., Smith, P., & Smuts, A. (2021). Recall and Vehicle Characteristics Associated with Vehicle Repair Rates. Review of Industrial Organization. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11151-021-09811-4