Date: 1991-2001
Why it’s important: Recalls are a routine feature of the auto industry, for problems as big as failing breaks and as minor as trunks that won’t stay open. That’s a good thing; it means automakers are being proactive about customer safety. As a result, auto recalls don’t tend to tarnish a company’s image the way a food recall can. Toyota, for example, had to recall 7.4 million vehicles worldwide in October 2012 due to faulty window switches on a number of models. But US Toyota sales in November were impressive, up 17.2 percent from November 2011.
An exception was Ford’s troubles with its popular Explorer SUV in the 1990s and early 2000s. The vehicle came with Firestone tires, which had tread separation problems. That, combined with the Explorer’s top-heavy weight caused rollover problems, leading to between 200 and 250 deaths over a decade. Ford recalled millions of its SUVs equipped with Firestone tires, and its reputation suffered. The scandal ended the century-old relationship between Ford and Firestone, with each company blaming the other for the problems.
