More car recalls likely by proactive manufacturers
CAR manufacturers’ rush to beat each other to market with new models is being blamed for a spate of vehicle recalls.
Over recent days, Mazda and Toyota have announced recalls affecting millions of cars.
It follows other, high-profile recalls for General Motors’ (GM) ignition switches and cars with airbags produced by Takata, which it was found had the potential to explode when deployed.
GM had to pay compensation for 124 deaths and agreed to forfeit US$900 million (NZ$1.3 billion) to the United States government in a deferred prosecution agreement.
In the case of the Takata airbags, only six makes were thought to be affected when the problem was first revealed. That has now been extended to more than 20.
Motoring commentator Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of the Dog & Lemon Guide, said the safety lapses that had come to light had shown car companies that the consequences of a problem were not worth the risk, so they were taking a much more proactive approach to problems.
‘‘Instead of relying on being able to fix the items later on, as they come to light they are taking action and fixing them,’’ he said.
Consumers could expect to hear of a lot more recalls, he said.
‘‘Sometimes problems occur that you could not have foreseen but for the last three decades, companies have been sending cars out and thinking they’ll sort the mess out later.
‘‘Thanks to very co-operative governments and motoring press, they have got away with it.
‘‘But since issues like the VW emissions scandal and the airbag recall, it has become obvious that companies can end up in significant problems. It is cheaper and easier for them to fix it now, rather than facing a lawsuit and government action down the line.’’
David Crawford, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association, said the increasing sophistication of modern cars was also to blame.
‘‘Vehicles today have a lot more components than vehicles from a decade ago. As a consequence, as they are more sophisticated there is a slightly increased risk.’’
He said many of the parts involved in recalls were brought in from other suppliers.
Crawford said manufacturers were taking a conservative approach. ‘‘The risk is too great. Rather than just repairing the ones that are faulty, they are repairing them all.’’
He said every manufacturer would say all faults should be picked up before cars went on sale.
‘‘They do undergo extensive testing. But you can’t guarantee 100 per cent of components 100 per cent of the time.’’
The only inconvenience to consumers was that they had to take their cars to a dealer, he said.
But it could be difficult to track down the owners of all the vehicles and in some cases, people did not take their cars in despite being contacted.
‘‘If you get a letter telling you your vehicle is subject to a safetyrelated recall, it is important to take it in to the dealer and have them perform the repair.
‘‘It’s a safety issue, that’s why it is called a safety recall. Don’t ignore it.’’