GM, Ford Take Top Spots for the Most Auto Recalls in 2021

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GM, Ford 2021 Auto Recalls Overview: 

• Who: GM and Ford had the most vehicles recalled and the most total recalls for 2021, respectively. 
• Why: A variety of issues caused the recalls, however the largest contributing factor was due to vehicles’ containing defective Takata airbags.
• Where: The recall affected vehicles nationwide.

In a busy year for auto recalls, GM and Ford took the top spots for most vehicles recalled and most total recalls, respectively, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

A total of 8 million GM vehicles were determined to be potentially affected by recall reports, while Ford finished in second place with 5.4 million, the Detroit Free Press reports. 

A large number of the GM and Ford vehicles that were recalled were due to issues with defective Takata airbags, which caused both companies to recall millions of vehicles this past year. 

In January, Ford announced it was recalling around 2.7 million vehicles due to the defective Takata airbags, Cars.com reports, while, in February, GM officially issued a recall for 5.7 million vehicles due to the issue, according to Consumer Reports. 

Ford Ends Year With Multiple December Auto Recalls 

Ford also ended the year with a significant recall when it announced it was recalling almost 250,000 of its F-150 pickup trucks. 

The recall, which also included Ford’s Transit cargo van, came after the company discovered a potential issue with the underbody heat and noise insulators in Ford model year 2021 and 2022 F-150 pickup trucks and the tailgate latches in model year 2018 F-150s 

Nearly 185,000 of the Ford F-150s were recalled due to the insulators, which the car manufacturer determined could come loose and make contact with the truck’s aluminum driveshaft, potentially causing it to ultimately fracture.

The potential issue with the tailgate latch, meanwhile, led to the recall of 57,591 of 2018 F-150s. The company said the latches could unexpectedly unlatch while the vehicle was driving, causing the contents to spill out on the road and endanger other drivers. 

A potential issue with the driveshaft bolts led to Ford recalling 4,548 of its 2020 Transit cargo vans. Ford said the bolts could become loose or damaged, leading to the driveshaft separating from the vehicle’s transfer case and causing a loss of power. 

The recall came the same month Ford issued a recall for 2,626 of its all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUVs and Maverick pickup trucks due to an alleged seat belt defect, which could cause a rear passenger to not be restrained enough in the event of an accident. 

That announcement, meanwhile, came only weeks after Ford recalled almost 115,000 of its model year 2020 and 2021 Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs. 

Ford issued the recall after it discovered a potential issue with the SUVs brake linings which could lead to a decrease in power braking performance. 

Tens Of Millions Of Vehicles Recalled Over Takata Airbag Issue

The Takata airbag recalls have not been limited to GM and Ford with the airbag manufacturer issuing recalls of its own since 2013 when it first discovered issues with their inflators could cause them to explode unexpectedly.

Despite a massive recall that has seen tens of millions of vehicles recalled, the NHTSA has said that 14 million cars still equipped with the defective airbags remain on the road. 

The issue has been found to have caused 19 deaths in the US so far with the latest coming in January after a defective takata airbag purportedly claimed the life of a 2002 Honda Accord driver. 

The use of Takata airbags also led to a $42 million settlement agreement this past September between Volkswagen and consumers it had been involved in multidistrict litigation with. 

Do you own a vehicle that was included in an auto recall last year? Let us know in the comments! 

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