While automotive engineers race forward with a lightweight pickup, self-driving cars, standard rearview cameras and ever better fuel economy, another segment of the auto industry is growing in size: the need for federal mechanical recalls.
Congress is looking into the circumstances behind General Motors’ use of an ignition-switch part that, when bumped, could move out of the run position, depriving the car of some electrical power. When that happened in conjunction with an accident, as it did on several occasions, air bags did not deploy, and there were serious injuries. Communication within the large company seems to have been lacking.
Between 25 million and 30 million autos are being recalled to receive a more stout switch.
More recently is the discovery that a major manufacturer of air bags had possibly buried the results of a test showing the explosive device in its bags could launch metal shards when deployed. There have been five deaths and numerous injuries.
Takata Corporation, the manufacturer, is said to supply 30 percent of the world’s auto industry’s air bags, and the recall in this country could reach 30 million vehicles. Its company leaders testified before Congress last week.
Expect the industry to quickly move away from the ignition switch as we have known it, to the push-button start with the key located nearby. That may be a savings for carmakers, as well. Air bags could receive their own power supply, too. Perhaps a battery, which could operate independently of the car’s electrical system when needed.
A recall notice mailed to a postal address has long been the means of contacting an owner. But this is a mobile society, mail is increasingly ignored, and cars change hands. Some of the responsibility for knowing about a recall has thus shifted to the car owner, which can use a manufacturer’s website. Usually, the owner types in the model, year and vehicle identification number. That website capability has recently been required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Owners may not be particularly diligent, of course. While the recall work is always done at no charge, perhaps it is an inconvenience, or that the odds are very, very minimal that a car will be the one that is dangerously disabled.
Even if only a portion of the included cars are brought in, the size of the recalls has manufacturers and dealers uncertain as to whether it is possible to fabricate and install the needed new parts in even the near future. Autos were originally assembled trunk to radiator on a line, and that is not what exists in a dealer’s shop.
Given the growing capability of electronic information sending and receiving, it is not too difficult to imagine that the smartphone might play a role in notifying owners of a recall. If your vehicles’ vehicle identification numbers were loaded into your phone, there could be a connection.
Would the federal government mandate that connection be in place? That could easily be viewed as too much government.
Do what you can to be alert to recalls that involve your vehicle. Use the manufacturer’s site periodically. Do not risk losing a loved one, or yourself, needlessly.
