22% Increase In Vehicle Recalls In 2014 As Car Manufacturers Take Pre-emptive Action

London, UK – 12 January 2015. Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS, the global leader in product recalls, retrievals, returns and audits, has reported a rise in automotive recall events across Europe, with the vast majority originating in Germany and the UK. Comparing motor vehicle recall numbers year on year, the figures show an increase in each quarter with the total to date reaching 180 in 2014 against 147 by the middle of December 2013. The UK alone doubled its recalls from 14 to 28 in total.

Significantly, only two recalls during 2014 were compulsory, indicating a growing trend amongst car manufacturers in Europe to take a more proactive strategy and voluntarily recall vehicles.

Using data from the Stericycle European Recall and Notification Index, based on the EU’s RAPEX rapid alert system, Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS has identified that 12 countries had motor vehicle recalls in both 2013 and 2014, however in both years the same 5 countries accounted for around 93% of the recalls. Germany hit the top spot again in 2014 with 46% of all recalls, followed by the UK with 16%. Also in the top 5 were Portugal, Greece and Spain, which reduced its recall numbers from 21 in 2013 to 10 last year.

Farzad Henareh, Stericycle ExpertSOLUTIONS European Managing Director, said: “Overall these results show that whilst there is a growth in the number of cars being recalled, there is also a trend towards taking pre-emptive action. Car manufacturers are opting to put customer safety first and enter the recall process with determination and resolve.”

In terms of types of vehicles being recalled in 2014, 85% were passenger cars and vans or motorcycles. Passenger cars and vans represent the biggest increase with 124 recalls to mid-December  compared to 83 in the same period in 2013. Conversely motorcycle recalls fell from 37 to 27.  Of the 41 extra passenger car recalls in 2014 compared to 2013, 29 originated in Germany and 11 in the UK.