U.S. automakers set another record last year, although it's one they're probably hoping stands for a while.With 53.2 million vehicles called back during its 12 months, 2016 featured the most recalls of any single year, surpassing the previous all-time high of 51.1 million set just one year before, according to the U.S. Transportation Department.
It's interesting, and perhaps logical, that the years with the two most recalls on record, also featured the most new vehicle deliveries of all time.
As Reuters points out in its report on the record-setting recall total, many of the recalls can be attributed to the unprecedented Takata airbag recall, which seeks to address the Japanese parts maker's exploding inflators.
Of course, Volkswagen gets a lot of press in this area because of the recall for its emissions masking technology, as does Fiat Chrysler for its faulty gear shifter that killed "Star Trek" actor Anton Yelchin, but there's plenty of blame to go around throughout the industry.
There a plenty of active recalls from several major automakers, as well as a striking number of recalls that simply haven't been addressed. Throughout the country, there are roughly 63 million recalled vehicles that have yet to be repaired.
Industry growing pains from the steady increase in technology and software might also be a contributing factor to the rise in recalls. Consumer goods analysis firm J.D. Power and Associates found that technology-related issues were once again among the most common for vehicles assessed in its annual dependability study, so it only makes sense that some automakers would try to address these issues through recalls.
Safety issues, however, remain the driving force for recalls and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certainly was more aggressive in its enforcement of safety regulations, which contributed to the bump in recalls. During the final year of the Obama administration, a record-setting 927 recall campaigns were launched, a 7 percent increase from the year before.