The relatively recent focus of the press on Toyota’s constant tendency toward recalls which focused primarily around safety have many consumers on guard when it comes to automotive blunders that may cost them more than time or money. Car companies are now being just as careful when it comes to these sorts of issues as well. In addition to being a major PR disaster, huge recalls such as those Toyota experienced over the past decade cost them plenty of money. A look back at some of the biggest and most expensive car recalls in history can give you a good idea of what one small engineering mistake can cost.
Ignition Failure
Ford experienced some very serious setbacks in 1996 with one particular glitch in an otherwise well-oiled machine. In total, 8.6 million vehicles had to be called in for service due to faulty ignition switches that were prone to short circuiting. The number of models that this problem impacted was considerable. Among the most notable are the Bronco, the Mustang, the Lincoln Towne Car, and the Crown Vic. In some instances, the switch even caught fire while the car was turned off and in park. In all, the incident cost Ford an estimated $200 million.
Don’t Yell Fire
Ford makes the list again with a recall that also occurred in 1996. The culprit this time around was a faulty switch that allowed the brake pedal to deactivate the cruise control. This switch could spark and ignite a fire in the electrical components of many different vehicles, including the Explorer, the Bronco, and F-Series Trucks. Each new switch cost the company around $20. The final bill came out to around $280 million.
Strapped In
Seat belts were responsible for a major recall in 1995 that impacted a large number of auto manufacturers due to the fact that they were all ordering parts from the same manufacturer. Suzuki, Mazda, Honda, Chrysler, Nissan, and many more all order their seat belts from the Takata Corporation in Japan. Unfortunately, the locking button on the belt would jam, causing the belt to no longer release. Every driver was potentially chained into their vehicles, essentially. Nine of the auto manufacturers using the faulty component provided replacements, costing a total of $1 billion altogether.
Too Much Pedal
Toyota had to swallow a $5 million mistake once drivers realized that the gas pedal could easily become jammed under the floor mat while driving. In all, 9 million vehicles came back into the shop. If the pedal did not get caught on the mat, then it could also potentially jam in place. The results were run-away Toyotas all over the nation. Over 60 cases were reported, and Toyota issued two separate recalls on their vehicles between 2009 and 2010 in which “reconfiguration” of the gas pedal became the solution.
A Deadly Blunder
Ford takes the cake with the largest recall in automotive history. Over 21 million vehicles were called back in during 1980 thanks to a slip in the transmission system. Every vehicle released between 1976 and 1980 could potentially shift from park to reverse without any prompting. The debacle cost the company $1.7 billion and resulted in 6,098 deaths.
Getting behind the wheel of a car is always a risk; however, it is wise to heed the safety recalls and auto regulations that have been put in place thanks to some of these epic mistakes. As history has shown us, the life you save could be your own.
Gretchen Hunter has represented numerous clients injured in automotive accidents caused by mechanical failures and has been involved in many large scale recall cases. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a mechanical failure in an automobile, Gretchen recommends contacting a specialized attorney such as seriousaccidents.com
Marty Huggins
