What the data says and how forward-thinking dealers are turning compliance into profit
Every dealership knows the balancing act: service traffic, staffing, CSI, scheduling, parts delays. It’s a lot. And in the middle of it all sits an overlooked opportunity: recall lists.
They aren’t ignored because they lack value. They’re ignored because they feel impossible to manage. Spreadsheets pile up, outreach falls through the cracks, and the list gets pushed aside.
But in 2025, that choice comes at a cost.
The recall surge: 2025 by the numbers
Recalls are hitting record highs.
- Ford issued 88 recalls in the first half of 2025.
- 7 million vehicles were recalled in Q2, double Q1’s total.
- One in four cars on the road has an open recall.
- Altogether, that’s 72 million vehicles still waiting for service.
- One in five specialty units—including RVs, motorcycles, powersports, trailers, and equipment—also has an open recall.
- RV recalls average 20,000–25,000 units each month, while some motorcycle recalls can top 80,000 units. Even ATV and ROV recalls often fall under federal oversight.
Behind those numbers are billions in potential service revenue and customers who need a trusted place to turn.
Why it’s getting worse
Vehicles today are marvels of technology. They’re also more complex than ever. From EV batteries to ADAS sensors, a single defect can ripple across millions of cars.
At the same time, customer data is fragmented. Ownership changes. Contact info gets outdated. Dealers are left trying to reach the right customer with the wrong tools.
The result: more recalls, more lists, and more frustration on both sides.
Why recall lists get ignored
It’s not neglect. It’s survival. Dealers already juggle more than most businesses. Add in messy spreadsheets, incomplete VIN records, and cold calls that rarely connect, and it’s easy to see why outreach gets dropped.
The process is slow, exhausting, and doesn’t scale. So, the opportunity stays locked in the inbox.
Turning recall chaos into recall revenue
Here’s the shift: recalls don’t have to be a burden. With automation, outreach becomes manageable and profitable.
Instead of chasing thousands of customers manually, smart DMS systems can:
- Connect VINs with accurate customer data
- Send personalized messages instantly
- Follow up automatically until the RO is scheduled
Your team’s attention stays where it matters most, on the customer in front of them. AI takes care of the repetitive tasks and routine questions behind the scenes, and your staff can focus on delivering real care and value. Everyone else gets handled quietly in the background.
As one GM put it:
“Recalls are like free money. The customer gets a free fix, and now their car is in my service drive.”
Real-world results
Dealers who’ve embraced this change are seeing real impact.
Austin Subaru moved from 8.5% to 50%+ recall retention, generating over $100K in recall service revenue from a single campaign.
Ancira Nissan booked 400+ repair orders in one month and avoided hiring up to ten extra staff, while boosting CSI.
For both, recalls shifted from being a drain on resources to a reliable growth channel.
Stop leaving money in the inbox
Recalls will only keep growing. The lists will keep coming. The difference is whether they sit untouched or become a steady stream of revenue and customer loyalty.
With the right approach, compliance turns into connection. And every recall becomes a chance to bring someone back into the service drive.
Tools like Kenect’s Service AI were built for this exact challenge. Instead of recall lists dragging on for months, outreach can be streamlined and automated in minutes. Customers receive timely, personalized messages, follow-up happens automatically, and scheduling is no longer a bottleneck. The result is less busywork for your team and more recall appointments completed.
