2014 will likely be remembered as the year of the recall in the automotive industry.
Setting a new record, recalls in the U.S. totaled 60.5 million vehicles this year, two of the largest contributors to which were the GM ignition switch recall and the Takata airbag recall. That number is nearly double the previous record of 30.8 million recalls set in 2004.
General Motors alone has recalled 27 million cars and trucks in the U.S. this year, a record for any one automaker. The massive call backs began with a recall of small cars for a faulty ignition switch, which has been linked to 42 deaths and 58 injuries. This specific recall led GM to overhaul its safety practices, leading to subsequent recalls for issues ranging from adaptive cruise control problems to other ignition issues.
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The second major recall of the year came from a number of automakers, all of which use Takata airbags. The airbags, which have been linked to four fatalities in the U.S. and more than 100 injuries, have faulty inflators which can rupture, causing metal shrapnel to be thrown at the drive and passengers. In the U.S., Honda, Chrysler, BMW, Ford, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota have all recalled cars for the issue.
Before the year officially comes to a close, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will release an official final tally of recalls, so expect the number to climb before the year is through.