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Automakers recalled over 20 million vehicles in the past three years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the agency, Toyota recalled approximately 7.1 million cars in 2010, with Honda and Nissan recalling about 2 million each. Chrysler recalled 1.5 million vehicles, and Ford recalled over 500,000 cars in 2010.
Safety experts credit the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act for keeping automakers in check with safety rules. The law mandates quicker reporting and handling for safety issues. It also increased civil penalties for vehicle safety law violations, and it provided criminal penalties for misleading the government about safety defects that caused death or injury. In addition, the law mandated tire-pressure monitoring systems that are standard on all new vehicles.
An NHTSA spokesperson said the agency’s investigations resulted in 492 recalls involving 20 million vehicles in the past three years. The automakers themselves are voluntarily recalling their cars, which shows they are taking responsibility for safety, added the spokesperson.
A spokesperson for the auto industry said cars are much safer now than just a few years ago. Despite the number of recalls, the number of accident fatalities is down in relation to the number of miles driven, said the spokesperson.
If you suffer injuries from any type of defective product, a Washington, D.C. personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation from the manufacturer or seller of the product. Contact a lawyer at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis for a free consultation about your claim.