NHTSA Says 22 Million Vehicles Recalled In 2013

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According to figures released in early-February by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) almost 22 million vehicles recalled last year in 632 recalls. That figure compares with nearly 16.4 million vehicles recalled in 2012 in 581 actions and is the highest number since 2004, when recalled vehicles hit 30.8 million.

Toyota’s recalls included about 1.6 million vehicles caught up in two recalls for air bags that could deploy without the vehicle being in a crash. In one case, Toyota blamed electronic interference, and in another, spider webs blocking drain holes.

Chrysler Group ranked second, with almost 4.7 million vehicles recalled in 36 actions. The automaker’s recalls included about 1.6 million 1993-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-7 Jeep Liberty models because NHTSA said there was a danger of fires in rear-impact crashes.

Honda and its Acura brand were third, with 15 recalls involving almost 2.8 million vehicles. Hyundai took fourth with nine recalls affecting 2.2 million vehicles. Ford came in fifth with 16 recalls of almost 1.2 million vehicles. Kia was sixth, recalling nearly 1.1 million vehicles in three recalls. Recalls by other automakers were below one million vehicles. General Motors was ninth, with 23 recalls affecting about 758,000 vehicles. Among the major automakers, Mercedes had the best record, with 747 vehicles recalled in four actions.

The safety agency noted that its ranking "should not be interpreted as an indication of what NHTSA thinks of any particular manufacturer or its products." It also said that "these summary numbers do not factor in or weight averages based on production" and, consequently, "the largest manufacturers tend to top the list each year."

The federal government began requiring automakers to recall vehicles for safety defects in 1966 and has since presided over 540.8 million recalled vehicles. Of the nearly 22 million vehicles recalled in 2013, almost seven million were recalled because the agency initiated an investigation, often on the basis of complaints filed by consumers. But more than twice that number — about 15 million — were recalled because the automakers reported a problem.  

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