Home » Articles
Car Articles
Read articles on cars and car industry. Get fully updated on all information related to cars. Read exciting happening in the Indian and Global Car industry, tips to help you and more...
Old Articles
Recalling the History of Car Recalls
With major auto manufacturers recalling their various models, the car recalling issue is becoming more intense (and common) by each passing day. Hence, we at Carazoo, thought about digging up the history of the car recalling business that, of late, has become such a common occurrence. Here is a list of the biggest and the most infamous ones in the history of car recalls.
It started with General Motors in December 1971 when the auto manufacturer recalled 6.7 million units of its Chevrolet Bel Airs built during 1965-69 and 15 other models built in the late 1960s-1970. The problem, as it turned to be, was a separated motor mount that could allow the engine to lift up and affect the throttle linkage, causing sudden acceleration and a possible loss of control of the vehicle.
In 1972, Volkswagen recalled 3.7 million Beetles, following complaints from motorists who said their windshield became detached. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered the recall of every VW sold in the U.S. from 1949 until 1969.
In the same year, Ford recalled 4 million units of 1970-71 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles including the Ford Ranchero, to replace faulty seat-belt buckles. The seat-belts, seemingly, frayed and detached from the interior frame.
In 1973, history repeated itself when GM recalled more than 3 million units of 1971-72 Buick LeSabres and 17 other models built in the early '70s. The aim was to install underbody shields after it discovered that on a bumpy road gravel could lodge in the engine compartment, causing a loss of steering control.
In 1978, Ford, facing pressure from consumer organizations, recalled its Pinto compact following incidents of fuel tank fires following tail-end crashes. Subsequent fixes include reinforcing the area around the gas tanks.
In 1981, Oldsmobile Cutlass sedans built during the late '70s and early '80s did it again for GM. Reports of loose suspension bolts, which could prompt drivers to lose control of their cars, forced GM to make a recall of about 5.8 million vehicles. This recall included the Buick Century and Regal, Chevrolet Malibu and Monte Carlo, Pontiac Grand Prix and LeMans.
In 1995, Honda recalled 3.7 million vehicles over seat-belt problems. There were reports of problems with cracks in the seat belt release button, which would either release unexpectedly or stay fastened after a crash. And in some circumstances, the release button on the seat belt buckle would just break.
In 1996, Ford recalled about 8 million units of its models built between 1988 and '93, including the Aerostar, Bronco, Crown Victoria, Escort, F-150 pickup, Mustang, Tempo and Thunderbird. The problem was a defect in the ignition switches which could prove to be a potential problem for electrical shorts and engine fires.
It started with General Motors in December 1971 when the auto manufacturer recalled 6.7 million units of its Chevrolet Bel Airs built during 1965-69 and 15 other models built in the late 1960s-1970. The problem, as it turned to be, was a separated motor mount that could allow the engine to lift up and affect the throttle linkage, causing sudden acceleration and a possible loss of control of the vehicle.
In 1972, Volkswagen recalled 3.7 million Beetles, following complaints from motorists who said their windshield became detached. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered the recall of every VW sold in the U.S. from 1949 until 1969.
In the same year, Ford recalled 4 million units of 1970-71 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles including the Ford Ranchero, to replace faulty seat-belt buckles. The seat-belts, seemingly, frayed and detached from the interior frame.
In 1973, history repeated itself when GM recalled more than 3 million units of 1971-72 Buick LeSabres and 17 other models built in the early '70s. The aim was to install underbody shields after it discovered that on a bumpy road gravel could lodge in the engine compartment, causing a loss of steering control.
In 1978, Ford, facing pressure from consumer organizations, recalled its Pinto compact following incidents of fuel tank fires following tail-end crashes. Subsequent fixes include reinforcing the area around the gas tanks.
In 1981, Oldsmobile Cutlass sedans built during the late '70s and early '80s did it again for GM. Reports of loose suspension bolts, which could prompt drivers to lose control of their cars, forced GM to make a recall of about 5.8 million vehicles. This recall included the Buick Century and Regal, Chevrolet Malibu and Monte Carlo, Pontiac Grand Prix and LeMans.
In 1995, Honda recalled 3.7 million vehicles over seat-belt problems. There were reports of problems with cracks in the seat belt release button, which would either release unexpectedly or stay fastened after a crash. And in some circumstances, the release button on the seat belt buckle would just break.
In 1996, Ford recalled about 8 million units of its models built between 1988 and '93, including the Aerostar, Bronco, Crown Victoria, Escort, F-150 pickup, Mustang, Tempo and Thunderbird. The problem was a defect in the ignition switches which could prove to be a potential problem for electrical shorts and engine fires.
In 1998, General Motors recalled about 1 million vehicles that included Cadillac, Pontiac and Chevrolet cars over reports that air bags can deploy unexpectedly during normal driving.
In 2000, Japanese tyre manufacturer, Bridgestone recalled 14.4 million tyres as Ford was sharply criticized by consumer groups and public officials over numerous rollovers of its sport-utility vehicle, Explorer.
In 2004, GM recalled about 3.6 million pickups after various reports of injuries linked to the corrosion of tailgate cables.
In 2005, GM recalled close to about 2 million vehicles. The reason, problems in seat belt safety in some of its light trucks. That same year, Toyota was prompted to recall more than 1 million vehicles over reports of headlight malfunctions.
September 2005 witnessed a major recalling when Ford recalled its 1997-2002 models of Expedition and five other truck models. The problem was overheating of cruise control deactivation switches.
In July 2009, Honda announced a recall of about 440,000 cars, due to an airbag defect. The recall expanded one previously announced affecting 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord models, 2001 Honda Civic models and 2002 and 2003 Acura TL models.
The faulty cruise-control deactivation switches brought another blow to Ford in October 2009 and prompted huge recall of vehicles that included Explorers and 14 other trucks, SUVs and minivans.
In October 2009, Ford recalled another huge batch of vehicles, including 1995-2002 Explorers and 14 other trucks, SUVs and minivans for problems with the cruise-control deactivation switch. Later it was found that the cruise-control mechanism on these vehicles could overheat and smoke or catch fire, even while parked.
In the very same month, Japanese automaker Toyota recalled 4.3 million units of its best-selling car, Camry. The glitch was with the unsecured floor mat that could trap the gas pedal and cause unintended acceleration. This recall started in 2009 continued in 2010.
The recall that was initiated by Honda in 2009 continued in 2010, and Honda added over 430,000 vehicles to fix a problem with driver-side airbags. These primarily included the 2001 and 2002 models of the Accord, Civic, Odyssey CR-V, and some 2002 TL models from Acura.
The latest contribution in car recall history was brought by our very own Maruti Suzuki in February 2010. Maruti Suzuki recalled 1 lakh units of its super-successful export model A-Star that were manufactured during September 2009. The recall came in the wake of preventing fuel leakages caused by the faulty fuel gasket.
In 2000, Japanese tyre manufacturer, Bridgestone recalled 14.4 million tyres as Ford was sharply criticized by consumer groups and public officials over numerous rollovers of its sport-utility vehicle, Explorer.
In 2004, GM recalled about 3.6 million pickups after various reports of injuries linked to the corrosion of tailgate cables.
In 2005, GM recalled close to about 2 million vehicles. The reason, problems in seat belt safety in some of its light trucks. That same year, Toyota was prompted to recall more than 1 million vehicles over reports of headlight malfunctions.
September 2005 witnessed a major recalling when Ford recalled its 1997-2002 models of Expedition and five other truck models. The problem was overheating of cruise control deactivation switches.
In July 2009, Honda announced a recall of about 440,000 cars, due to an airbag defect. The recall expanded one previously announced affecting 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord models, 2001 Honda Civic models and 2002 and 2003 Acura TL models.
The faulty cruise-control deactivation switches brought another blow to Ford in October 2009 and prompted huge recall of vehicles that included Explorers and 14 other trucks, SUVs and minivans.
In October 2009, Ford recalled another huge batch of vehicles, including 1995-2002 Explorers and 14 other trucks, SUVs and minivans for problems with the cruise-control deactivation switch. Later it was found that the cruise-control mechanism on these vehicles could overheat and smoke or catch fire, even while parked.
In the very same month, Japanese automaker Toyota recalled 4.3 million units of its best-selling car, Camry. The glitch was with the unsecured floor mat that could trap the gas pedal and cause unintended acceleration. This recall started in 2009 continued in 2010.
The recall that was initiated by Honda in 2009 continued in 2010, and Honda added over 430,000 vehicles to fix a problem with driver-side airbags. These primarily included the 2001 and 2002 models of the Accord, Civic, Odyssey CR-V, and some 2002 TL models from Acura.
The latest contribution in car recall history was brought by our very own Maruti Suzuki in February 2010. Maruti Suzuki recalled 1 lakh units of its super-successful export model A-Star that were manufactured during September 2009. The recall came in the wake of preventing fuel leakages caused by the faulty fuel gasket.
