It is now over a decade since the largest recall in the history of the automotive industry. In 2013, several automakers began significant recalls, due to defective Takata airbags. In 2017, the Japanese parts manufacturer was forced to file for bankruptcy when the amount of money due in compensation was more than was required for its survival.
Despite the costs of recalls and the strenuous efforts of quality managers and other production professionals, manufacturing defects are still wreaking havoc a decade on.
In May 2023, for example, more than 30 million cars were included in an airbag recall issued by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Given the costs of defects and the efforts made by manufacturers to detect them, how are so many defects able to avoid detection?
Read the full article in DPA's April issue