The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a record number of vehicle recalls for the first half of 2016. Most notable among the bunch was the massive air bag recall affecting up to 34 million models. With vehicles from many brands facing recalls, from Ford and Honda to luxury brands Cadillac and Audi, it’s important for consumers to remain aware of product flaws to avoid potentially dangerous situations that might occur due to manufacturer defects.
In this regard, the vehicle experts at AxleGeeks, a transportation research site powered by Graphiq, came up with a list of the 10 largest auto recalls of 2016. To compile this list, analysts looked at the number of vehicles impacted by NHTSA recalls issued since January 1, 2016.
The list of the 10 largest recalls is ranked in ascending order from the least to the most models affected.
#10. General Motors LLC
Number of Vehicles Affected: 1,802,202
Date Reported: May 31, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: Feb. 8, 2006
End Date of Manufacturing: Aug. 12, 2011
General Motors witnessed a recall due to issues with its passenger side front air bags, where, upon deployment, the air bag inflator might rupture, causing metal fragments to potentially strike the vehicle’s occupants. General Motors has not provided a remedy plan for impacted buyers.
#9. Ford Motor Company
Number of Vehicles Affected: 1,896,443
Date Reported: May 31, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: May 9, 2005
End Date of Manufacturing: June 4, 2011
Ford shares the same defective front-passenger air bag plaguing many models from other manufacturers, including General Motors and Honda. Ford is expected to notify owners of the recall beginning in July 2016, and will replace the front air bag inflator for free.
#8. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Number of Vehicles Affected: 2,232,187
Date Reported: Feb. 3, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: Nov. 19, 2014
End Date of Manufacturing: Sept. 22, 2015
Honda vehicles impacted by this recall possess a dual-stage drive frontal air bag susceptible to moisture intrusion, resulting in the possibility of the inflator rupturing upon deployment. Honda issued notices to owners in March of 2016, and will follow up with a second notice during the summer when replacement parts are available. Honda dealers will replace the faulty parts free of charge.
#7. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Number of Vehicles Affected: 2,720,390
Date Reported: May 24, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: N/A
End Date of Manufacturing: N/A
Similar to other brands, some Honda vehicles come equipped with faulty front air bag inflators, which might rupture during deployment due to long-term exposure to temperature variations and varying humidity levels. Honda mailed a first notice to owners on June 27, 2016. The Japanese brand anticipates replacement parts will be available by late summer to early fall.
#6. Nissan North America, Inc.
Number of Vehicles Affected: 3,278,983
Date Reported: April 26,2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: July 25, 2013
End Date of Manufacturing: April 15, 2016
Some Nissan models possess an error with their front seat passenger occupant classification systems. The system might incorrectly identify an adult passenger as a child, or incorrectly determine the seat is empty. In either event, this shuts off the passenger front air bag, leaving the occupant susceptible to injury if a crash occurs. Nissan sent interim notices on May 31, 2016 and will send information when parts become available.
#5. Takata Corporation
Number of Vehicles Affected: 3,900,000
Date Reported: Jan. 25, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: Jan. 1, 2003
End Date of Manufacturing: Aug. 31, 2014
Takata recalled Psdi-5 Air Bag Inflators equipped in some Audi, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Saab and Volkswagen models due to the possibility the inflators might rupture during air bag deployment. Takata is working with manufacturers to identify the affected vehicles.
#4. Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Number of Vehicles Affected: 4,319,513
Date Reported: May 24, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: Feb. 1, 2007
End Date of Manufacturing: March 1, 2010
Similar to other brands, the NHTSA determined the air bag inflators found in some Chrysler models might explode due to propellant degradation. Chrysler hasn’t released a notification schedule yet, but its dealers will replace the air bag inflator for free once parts become available.
#3. Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
Number of Vehicles Affected: 5,000,000
Date Reported: Jan. 27, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: Jan. 1, 2006
End Date of Manufacturing: Dec. 31, 2010
Continental issued recalls for some of its air bag control units due to possible corrosion of the power supply component, resulting in the failure of the unit to deploy during a crash. In some cases, it may accidentally deploy, increasing the risk for injury to the vehicle’s occupant. Continental announced it will speak with vehicle manufacturers who have these units in their models, and the manufacturers will contact customers affected by this recall.
#2. Takata Corporation
Number of Vehicles Affected: 5,100,000
Date Reported: May 16, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: Jan. 1, 2003
End Date of Manufacturing: Dec. 31, 2008
This recall concerns the front air bag modules, which have the propensity to burst after long-term exposure to temperature cycling and absolute humidity. As with other recalls, Takata plans to work with affected manufacturers to identify the vehicles with the defective inflator. The NHTSA will supply information on the recalls based on these findings.
#1. Takata Corporation
Number of Vehicles Affected: 8,500,000
Date Reported: May 16, 2016
Beginning Date of Manufacturing: Jan. 1, 2003
End Date of Manufacturing: Dec. 31, 2011
The most extensive air bag recall comes from Takata, impacting up to eight and half million vehicles due to the same propellant degradation issue found in other models. The NHTSA will release information on the impacted automobiles as soon as information becomes available.