56 Million Cars Recalled So Far in 2014 - Are Cars Any Safer Than They Were A Decade Ago?

Would-be buyers can be forgiven for thinking it's 1960 all over again, despite cars and trucks in today's showrooms being the safest in the history of the industry.

Air bags don't deploy because of faulty ignition switches. When they do, automotive shrapnel flies around the cabin. Headlights don't work. Brake boosters corrode prematurely. Engine management systems need software updates. And more.

Except it's almost 2015. The era of optional seat belts, no air bags, few headrests and an incipient federal regulatory regime are long gone, replaced by increasingly robust government oversight, criminal liability and social media that make the industry metal sound unsafe at any speed — even if it isn't.

TehShibbs - 12/5/2014 11:30:19 AM

+2 Boost

Hell yes they are. We're even recalling stupid now!

Oh, a customer can hit the key with their knee if they're close enough to be chewing on the steering wheel and turn the car off, disabling the airbags. Looks like we need to create a recall and take those dangerous flip-keys apart!

Agent009 - 12/5/2014 1:16:31 PM

+1 Boost

Well, a point cn be made that we are more dependent on active protection than passive than ever before. And if this year is any indication the active protection doesn't always work, so the fall back is passive protection that is only designed to work in conjunction with the active and is far less effective than before.

Vette71 - 12/5/2014 2:13:15 PM

+1 Boost

Long ago the government decided that the Jonathan Gruber philosophy was correct. The population was stupid so design things to protect them from themselves. The seat/shoulder belt in a strong cage, and a body the folds up is the best protection one can have in a crash. Period. But if one doesn't use the safety harness the rest is of no use. Fine everyone $500 for not using the harness and air bags and all the trouble they cause wouldn't be needed. Wait a minute. That's a police state!!

MDarringer - 12/5/2014 8:01:39 PM

+1 Boost

YES. Issues are being remedied that would not have been remedied in the past and manufacturers are being more proactive.