As if Ford (F) weren't saddled with enough problems, on Aug. 3 the Detroit carmaker issued a massive recall of 3.6 million vehicles, citing a defective cruise control switch that could lead to fires. Together with the nearly 7 million vehicles the company has already recalled for the same reason since 1999, it's the largest automotive recall ever recorded.
Ford is one of many automakers feeling the sting of quality assurance problems over recent years. The number of vehicles recalled in the U.S. peaked in 2004 at 30.8 million, falling off to 11.2 million in 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the division of the Transportation Dept. that oversees and tracks manufacturer recalls. But the number of recall issuances last year was nearly as high as it has ever been, and the wide range of manufacturers at fault—including brands known for high safety standards, like Toyota (TM) and Volkswagen (VLKAY)—may have buyers thinking twice before they drive off the car lot.
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