Over Half Of Recalled Vehicles Are Not Fixed Because It Isn't A Priority

Each day, attorney Terry Harris sets out in his trusty 2002 Honda Civic, which has 150,000 miles — and has been recalled for a variety of defects considered dangerous by safety regulators.

Two are for air bags that can explode, sending shrapnel into the cabin. Another aims to fix a wiring problem that could make the headlights shut off suddenly.

"I think probability works in my favor. I don't feel that it is urgent," Harris said. "If I ever take the car into the dealership, I will get it fixed. But it is not at the top of my things-to-do list."

Automakers recalled about 60 million vehicles in the U.S. this year, almost double the previous record set a decade ago.

But as many as 35 million of these vehicles have not been repaired, according to some estimates — even though many have defects that have been linked to multiple fatalities.