Toyota Leads Recall Tally Three Out Of Last Four Years With Most In 2012

Toyota Motor Corp. recalled more vehicles — 5.3 million — than any other automaker in the U.S. in 2012.

It was the third time in the last four years that Toyota led in U.S. recalls.

A Detroit News review of recall data found that 16.2 million cars, trucks, motorcycles and RVs were recalled in 2012, a 4.5 percent increase over the 15.5 million vehicles recalled in 2011. Combined, the seven biggest-selling automakers in the U.S. market recalled about 13.5 million vehicles last year, up from 12.5 million in 2011.

The number of recall campaigns fell slightly in 2012 to 593, from 587 campaigns in 2011. That's down dramatically from 2004, when manufacturers recalled 30.8 million vehicles in 600 campaigns, with Detroit's Big Three collectively recalling more than 20 million.

Read Article

Agent009 - 1/8/2013 9:16:56 AM

-1 Boost

I am really curious to understand how a recall is NOT considered a quality issue. Seems like they go hand in hand.

PLEASE enlighten me.

Agent009 - 1/8/2013 10:27:21 AM

-2 Boost

That is true, however JD Power will list a defect as a cup holder that won't hold a big gulp.

What is the difference?

We can agree that neither example is critical, but a phone number is maybe slightly more important than fitting a big gulp.

However a JD Power defect can be for a rough transmission and it counts. (rightfully so) A recall for defective brake assembly leading to deadly crashes is not counted. (go figure)

The severity doesn't matter in either case.

I argue it is a lot harder to keep up with recalls since they don't cover every unit produced (IE: 2,000 of 300,000 produced) so no one really bothers with them. But then again you can get dinged in JD Power for a iPhone interface issue and not every model has that option.

Agent009 - 1/8/2013 1:13:36 PM

-2 Boost

Actually neither does. If the cup holder doesn't fit my big gulp, I just buy another size drink. If a big gulp is that important to me I would have chosen another car because of that. The automaker isn't going to redesign the cup holder for me.

Agent009 - 1/8/2013 11:32:04 AM

-4 Boost

We all have our obsessions now don't we?

I just have a problem with posers and money grabs.

If you claim to be the best you need to lead in all areas.
If you pass a law to get revenue just say so, and make sure it is fair.

Pretty simple criteria if you think about it.

nguyenvuminh - 1/8/2013 1:53:10 PM

+4 Boost

It must be killing you that with the tsunami/earthquake supply constraint, the witholding of information, the PR fiasco, the recalls, that Toyota is still leading volume sales (with profitability no less) isn't it 009? Don't get me wrong, I think Toyota deserves the backlash on the info witholding and the cost associated with the recalls, but their cars are still good combination of quality-value, an important criteria during this time of economic constraint. Oh sorry, Hyundai is also pursuing the same strategy quality-value in the same mkt segment and they're not making any headway into it with Honda and Toyota resurgence so I guess you're being killed twice, and slowly, too eh 009.

HughJass - 1/9/2013 6:54:29 PM

+2 Boost

Hyundai lying about mileage isn't a recall. If you're driving in a tornado and expect 100miles out of your car and it only gives you 92miles, leaving you stranded in tornado alley, then I'd say that's a safety issue but no recall. Instead, Hyundai/KIA make it sound like they're doing you a favour by giving you lifetime gas cards.

Overstated engine performance also is a safety issue because if you need power to merge into traffic with an 18 wheeler coming up behind you, you'd better hope your car isn't slower than the manufacturer claims. Again, no recall.

Hyundai must have the best cars out there, no need for monster discounts and incentives to move the metal but yet they toss everything in including 2 kitchen sinks and a few free Samsungs.