Business Daily Why are millions of cars being recalled?
Sep 8, 2025
Global automotive recalls are skyrocketing, driven by complex technology and tougher safety regulations. Major manufacturers face challenges as they address safety issues, notably with electric vehicles. The podcast highlights the alarming trend where consumers often ignore recall notifications, stressing the need for better communication. It delves into past scandals that shaped public trust and examines the impact of growing transparency in the industry. With the rise of Chinese car companies, the landscape of automotive recalls is rapidly changing.
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Episode notes
Software Is The New Failure Point
- Modern cars are becoming 'computers on wheels' with vastly more software and failure points.
- That scale of software and electronics increases recall risk despite improved mechanical build quality.
Driving A 1987 Volvo For Contrast
- Russell Padmore drives a 1987 Volvo 240 to illustrate a mechanically simple car.
- He contrasts its purely mechanical controls with modern software-heavy vehicles that invite recalls.
Single Suppliers Can Trigger Global Crises
- Massive historical recall events (eg Takata airbags) show single supplier failures can affect many brands.
- Such supply-chain defects cost the industry billions and damage trust across manufacturers.