Auto Recalls Sank Last Year

Automotive recalls fell last year by both individual recalls events and the number of total vehicles recalled, the latter representing an 11-year low.

The data, compiled by risk-and-claims administration and research provider Sedgwick, shows 928 recalls affecting 27.4 million units, down 6% and 15% year-over-year, respectively.

Recall causes were led as is common nowadays by electrical systems, which accounted for 174 events and the third highest total for the category in a decade. That was followed by equipment at 128 events, that category’s lowest number in a decade, and structural issues at 73 recalls.

On a unit level, back-over prevention systems led causes with 7.8 million affected, up 206% year-over-year and a 10-year high. The popular though problem-prone safety feature is often behind recall events for various automakers.

The category was followed volumewise by electrical systems at 4.2 million units, and gas fuel systems at 2.2 million.

The year, though down in recall activity overall, ended on an upswing, Sedgwick reported. There were 252 recalls in the fourth quarter, up 17% over the third quarter, though the number of affected units fell 23% to 7.1 million. 

Fourth-quarter events were led in terms of volume by a 1.5 million-unit recall.

In the quarter, equipment led all causes by number of recalls at 43 events, followed by electric systems at 41, and adaptive and mobility equipment at a distant third with 19.

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