Automakers had a banner year in 2014, but not necessarily in a favorable way. With more than 60 million vehicle recalls logged in the United States alone, the industry issued more recalls, especially related to older model vehicles, than in any year ever before.
The 2014 recall sweep began with General Motors’ announcement of an ignition switch defect that affected millions of vehicles and continued with recalls issued at a breakneck pace by a number of automakers throughout the year.
In an analysis of federal recall records, The New York Times uncovered about 700 separate recall announcements in the United States. That number doubles the previous annual record set back in 2004.
The eight largest automakers racked up more recalls in 2014 than in any other single year since data collection began in 1966. Corporate records for recalls were set by Chrysler, Honda and G.M., according to the Times’ report.
Recalls were especially prevalent with older model vehicles, five years or more old, the paper noted. All told, the recalls amounted to about a two-a-day average and added up to impacting an estimated one in five vehicles on the road today.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration keeps a database of all issued recalls. Its latest recall announcements just for November 2014 include recalls from such manufacturers as Volkswagen, Range Rover, MINI Cooper, Mercedes-Benz and Honda.
The largest recall in November 2014 involved 442,000 Volkswagen vehicles from 2011-2013. That recall impacts such models as the Beetle and Jetta and is focused on a trailing arm defect that could cause loss of vehicle control.
Motorists who want to check for recalls related to their specific make, model and year vehicle can do so via the administration’s website. It also features a search by Vehicle Identification Number feature that enables automobile owners to quickly ascertain if their vehicle has been included in one of the hundreds of recalls issued by automakers.
While the uptick in recalls might be alarming for motorists, the Times points out driving has become statistically safer in recent years. Although this is partly due to technological advancements in newer vehicles, the cleanup of past defects is also a contributing factor.
To keep up with the latest recall alerts or to check on the status of a specific make and model, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration online.
