Vehicles are heavily relied upon by many people to complete even the simplest everyday task, making it very easy to take driving for granted. The majority of people who rely on driving put very little thought into the machine in which they trust their life with. It is difficult to properly maintain and operate a vehicle without knowing the basic mechanics that goes behind these powerful machines. This leads to some unintentionally funny mistakes people make; putting diesel into a gas engine or even neglecting to change their oil for an extended period of time.
Not all automotive issues are the result of an inexperienced driver and in some cases even the manufactures are to blame. With all of the news about Volkswagen’s CO2 emissions scandal floating around you may be wondering how a company can recover from having to recall an estimated 11 million vehicles. 11 million vehicles may sound like a lot and the total cost of damages that Volkswagen will be responsible for is still unknown, but you may be surprised to hear it’s still not the largest recall in history. Here's a look back at the five largest car recalls of all time and a look at where Volkswagen stands in comparison.
#5 Takata Seatbelt Scandal (1995) – 8.4 Million Vehicles
After 931 consumer complaints in regards to the seatbelts, an investigation revealed that the seatbelt latch was prone to jamming and cracking. This would in turn lock the passengers to their seats.
Total Cost = Estimated $1 Billion
#4 Toyota's Gas Pedals (2009-2011) – 9 Million Vehicles
After 60 cases of unexplained car accidents (30 of which caused at least one death) Toyota put out an investigation and discovered that the gas pedals were prone to sticking. Floor mats would become lodged under the accelerator and would jam them down causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Total Cost = Estimated $5 Billion
#3 Volkswagen CO2 Scandal (2015) – Estimated 11 Million Vehicles
In September 2015 Volkswagen was caught up in a scandal which revealed that the car manufacturer had been installing software into their vehicles which would bypass emissions testing and would claim that they were lower than they were. Multiple models from VW, Audi, Porsche, and Seat are known to carry this device causing this large recall.
Total Cost = Unknown (Estimated $7.3 Billion - $86 Billion)
#2 Ford Fires (1996) – 14 Million Vehicles
Ford was forced to recall 14 million vehicles after they discovered that an electronic switch used to deactivate cruise control could overheat and catch fire. This small inexpensive switch cost very little to replace but ended up costing the company millions due to the number of vehicles. This all happened just a few months after their previous faulty ignition scandal.
Total Cost = Estimated $280 Million
#1 Ford’s No Parking Recall (1980) – 21 Million Vehicles
Ford holds the largest automotive recall to date. After 6,000 accidents, 1,700 injuries, and 98 deaths it was discovered that the Ford vehicles involved in the incidences had slipped spontaneously from “Park” to “Reveres”. The defect was found in their transmission systems and resulted in multiple lawsuits.
Total Cost = Estimated $1.7 Billion
Recalls have become just a way of life for a car owner. There seems to be a new one every month and for the most part they are for minor components. But as you have seen above, some small components can carry horrific results for both the consumer and the manufacturer. Volkswagen may have a long way to go in regards to earning the consumers trust back, but there is one thing that should give them hope for the future.
People still like Ford.
Thanks for reading, until next time!
Sincerely,
Grayson Ruffo