Parker Waichman LLP

The Biggest Automotive Safety Recalls of All Time

If it seems like you’re always hearing about vehicles being recalled for dangerous or faulty parts, it’s because you are! Thanks to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) pressuring automakers to recall more vehicles in recent years, the number of NHTSA recalls issued has been rising drastically. Before 2014, vehicle recalls for automotive defects […]

If it seems like you’re always hearing about vehicles being recalled for dangerous or faulty parts, it’s because you are! Thanks to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) pressuring automakers to recall more vehicles in recent years, the number of NHTSA recalls issued has been rising drastically. Before 2014, vehicle recalls for automotive defects ranged from 10 to 30 million vehicles affected each year. Since 2014, we’ve seen record-setting safety recalls of 50 million vehicles or more. This infographic’s timeline paves the path of the biggest automotive safety recalls of all time and their cost, not only in fines and penalties but in human life as well.

Click on the image to display at full size

The biggest automotive safety recalls of all time

Embed Code

What Is the Biggest Automotive Recall?

The biggest automotive recall took place in 1981 when the Ford Motor Company had to recall 21 million vehicles because of a defective parking gear that would allow the transmission to slip into reverse after being shifted into park. This parking defect led to 6,000 accidents and 1,710 injuries and killed 98 people. Instead of Ford recalling vehicles, they mailed out warning labels to more than 21 million owners of Ford vehicles. These warning labels instructed them to set the parking brake and shut off the ignition before exiting the vehicle. This method of correcting the issue only cost Ford $10 million in printing and mailing costs, rather than the much higher costs they would have faced by recalling and replacing all of the defective parking gears.

The 10 Biggest Automotive Recalls

  1. Ford Motor Company: 21 million (1981)
  2. Ford Motor Company: 9 million (2004)
  3. Toyota: 9 million (2009-10)
  4. Ford Motor Company:7 million (1996)
  5. General Motors:7 million (1971)
  6. Toyota:5 million (2015)
  7. Honda:3 million (2015)
  8. General Motors:9 million (2014)
  9. General Motors:4 million (1981)
  10. Chrysler:8 million (2018)

Which Automotive Recall Was the Most Expensive?

The General Motors 2014 recall of faulty ignition switches was the most expensive automotive recall in history, costing an estimated $2.5 billion in penalties and settlements, including a $900 million settlement for a U.S. Department of Justice criminal case. The expenses don’t stop there, though, as General Motors has been forced to settle more claims over the years, including $120 million in 2017 for lawsuits from victims of the faulty switches.

How to Tell if Your Vehicle Has a Recall

To find out if your vehicle has a recall, you can go to the NHTSA’s recalls page and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This tool will alert you to any safety recalls from the past 15 years that may affect your vehicle.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
They are so friendly is crazy there so into there work they made me feel like family and I live in the mid-west I would recommend them to anybody thanks Parker waichman
Chris Jabouin
6 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness , Value I highly recommend Parker Waichman . Bonita Rollis was wonderful and very helpful and competent.
Arlene Savarese
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
They were really professional answered all my questions walk me through the end of my case i will surely recomend to my family and friends
Malini Prasad
6 months ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038