Price and reliability are key factors for most car buyers.
Kelley Blue Book and other publications have long histories determining prices. And manufacturers like Toyota and Honda have sterling reputations as best-buy used cars.
But in 2007, the auto industry had a lot changes. Many great vehicles continued to infiltrate the market. Yets, according to a report on America Online, the total number of recalls nearly equaled the number of vehicles produced.
As an example, last August Ford Motor Co., announced it was recalling 3.6 million vehicles, mostly trucks from the 1990s, to fix a speed control deactivation switch.
And last spring, Volkswagen began recalling 1 million new Beetles from the model years 2001 to 2007 to repair a brake light problem.
"Now almost any time you pick up a newspaper, there is a recall," said Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at J.D. Power & Associates in Troy, Mich., told AOL.
According to Libby, overall car quality has improved. However, since automakers are using more shared platforms and parts, the chances for a recall for the same reason in multiple manufacturers has also increased.
Conversely, the increase amount of auto recalls also means automakers are taking increased action to fix problems.
Manufacturers are also aware that liability attorneys consider recalls as good fodder for lawsuits, according to AOL.
"This stuff gets amplified a great deal because there are certain lawyers waiting to use this information, and they are out there actively looking for new business on a class-action basis," said VW spokesman Keith Price.
Here are top-10 most recalled cars in 2007:
1. Volkswagen Beetle
2. Toyota Tundra & Sequoia
3. Jeep Liberty
4. Nissan Altima
5. Hyundai Tucson
6. Jeep Wrangler & Dodge Nitro
7. Suzuki Forenza & Reno
8. Volkswagen Passat & Passat Wagon
9. Lexus ES 350
10. Chrysler Sebring* (Includes other models)
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