Vehicle Recalls Neared 600 in 2012, NHTSA Reports
During the past three years, NHTSA's defect and compliance investigations and compliance testing have resulted in more than 430 recalls involving 22 million vehicles and products.
Manufacturers made more than 650 safety recalls affecting over 17.8 million vehicles, child seats, and vehicle equipment during calendar year 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Jan. 17. The DOT agency was a prime mover in many of them, influencing the recall of more than 9 million vehicles and 60,000 items of vehicle equipment during the years, according to its announcement.
"Every day, millions of motorists are safe on our nation's roadways because of the work and dedication of our defect investigation and compliance teams here at NHTSA," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We have one of the most effective programs in the world and will continue in 2013 to pursue investigations and recalls wherever our data justifies doing so."
According to the agency, during the past three years, NHTSA's defect and compliance investigations and compliance testing have resulted in more than 430 recalls involving 22 million vehicles and products. Some recalls result from consumer complaints; the agency received 41,912 complaints concerning potential safety defects in 22012, 49,417 in 2011, and 65,765 in 2010. "The role of the consumer in influencing auto recalls cannot be underestimated," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "Consumers are the lifeblood of the recall process, and recalls are often the direct result of a government investigation into consumer complaints."
Consumers can find vehicle safety, recall, and investigation information at www.safercar.gov.