Volkswagen shocked the world in 2015 when its diesel cars were found to not meet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for clean diesel vehicles. Those 8.5 million recalled cars do not represent the first time American consumers faced large auto recalls.
The largest auto recalls in U.S. history include:
- In 1971, General Motors recalled several models including Chevy Bel Airs, Brookwoods, and Camaros, totaling 6.7 million affected vehicles. The auto defect at issue involved engine motor mounts causing sudden and unintended vehicle acceleration.
- Ford recalled vehicles in 1980 after 21 million vehicles were found to have safety glitches that caused cars to independently shift from park into reverse. This caused over 6,000 accidents with 1,700 injuries and 98 deaths.
- While seatbelts are designed to keep drivers and passengers safe, nearly 8.3 million cars were recalled in 1995 for faulty seatbelts made by the Takata Corporation. The seatbelt latch was prone to cracking and jamming, trapping the user in the car. This recall was notable because it affected many major auto manufacturers including Honda, Nissan, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, GM, and Mazda, among others.
- Ford initiated a massive recall of vehicles made between 1988 and 1992 when defective ignition switches were linked to fires. In 1996 Ford recalled nearly 8 million vehicles. Ford was forced to recall another 14 million vehicles the same year when it was discovered that another small switch responsible for deactivating cruise control could overheat and start a fire.
- Ford made the same mistake again in 2009 when more than 4.5 million vehicles were recalled because of cruise control switches that were prone to combustion. The recall covered Explorers, Excursions, Rangers, and many other popular models.
- Toyota received worldwide media attention for its vehicles’ sudden acceleration in 2010, when faulty gas pedals either jammed or the floor mat jammed into the accelerator. The recall included Toyota cars manufactured from 2004 to 2010 and accounted for 9 million total recalled vehicles.
- Defective airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation have been a dangerous problem since 2013, but it is now known that over 34 million vehicles are affected. Vehicles from a variety of major automotive manufacturers have these defective Takata airbags that can explode unintentionally and/or upon deployment.
Auto manufacturers have a responsibility to produce safe cars for consumers, but drivers also have a responsibility to drive safely. Avoiding distractions like cell phone use can greatly decrease the likelihood of a motor vehicle accident, making the roads a little safer for everyone.
Lubbock Car Accident Attorney
The experienced attorneys at Liggett Law Group know how devastating car accidents can be emotionally, physically, and financially. Oftentimes, victims do not realize that a defective component part of their vehicle caused or contributed to their car accident. If you’ve been hurt in a Lubbock auto accident, you need an attorney who can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.