Nearly 18 million cars and products recalled in 2012

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one of the leading regulatory agencies in the U.S., recently announced that an alarming number of vehicles and vehicle equipment were recalled in 2012. The manufacturers of a variety of products, including vehicles, car seats for children, tires, and other equipment, filed 650 recalls due to safety issues. Products are recalled when they have a safety defect or do not meet the NHTSA’s safety requirements.

These recalls affected numerous companies, from the small to the household names. Among the well-known companies who recalled products in 2012 were Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Subaru, BMW, Kia, and Kawasaki. Companies recalled thousands, if not millions, of products.

The NHTSA works to identify possible defects in products, using information from consumer complaints, early warning data, technical service bulletins, trade publications, and even popular magazines. According to the NHTSA’s announcement, the organization’s efforts “have resulted in over 430 recalls involving 22 million vehicles and products.” Consumer complaints, in particular, are a source that prompts many investigations. The NHTSA received 41,912 complaints in 2012 regarding possible safety issues in products.

The NHTSA is an important agency working to protect the safety of everyone on the road. Unfortunately, despite the agency’s best efforts, thousands of Americans are injured each year by defective products. For example, many people, unaware that their vehicle is defective, continue to drive and are injured in a resulting accident.

To better protect yourself and your family, stay updated on the latest safety recalls and investigation information. You can find information on safety recalls on the NHTSA website (above), and you can search for safety information on your own car on http://www.safercar.gov/.