5 Most Recalled Car Brands in India

It was back in 2012 when the automobile manufacturing fraternity of India came together to form a voluntary code on vehicle recalls, in the absence of a government recall policy. Proving to be a windfall for the customers, the code has led to more than 17 lakh units (two-wheelers included) being recalled in the country since July that year.

The country’s Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises recently revealed the recall numbers in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. Minister of State GM Siddeshwara revealed that a total of 16,68,416 four-wheelers and 1,01,014 two-wheelers have been recalled in India since the code came into being.

From this data, we have compiled a list of the most recalled cars (manufacturer-wise) in the country. While some names were expected to make it to this rather scandalous list, the others are likely to make your jaw drop. 

5. Maruti Suzuki 

Total recalled units: 2,05,964 

Most recalled cars: Swift, Dzire

When you are India’s largest car manufacturer, the share of your problems is expected to be proportionately large. Out of the four major recalls since 2012, Maruti had the hardest time in April ’14 with a fuel leakage problem that affected the Swift hatchback the most. Other major recalls include the wire harness and battery concern in September later that year, and the door latch assembly issue that affected more than 33,000 Altos in March 2015.

4. General Motors

Total recalled units: 2,56,597

Most recalled car: Beat

The American manufacturer’s Chevrolet brand saw two major recalls in the year 2015, which were enough to land it on this list. First, in July 2015, the keyless entry remote issue landed it in the eye of a storm. Later in December, the brittle clutch pedal lever further spoiled the party for General Motors. The Chevrolet Beat was involved in both the recalls, with close to 1.5 lakh units being summoned back thanks to defects.

3. Ford

Total recalled units: 3,20,877

Most recalled cars: Figo, Fiesta

Ford earned a notorious reputation almost immediately after the recall code was put in place in 2012. The Ford Figo hatchback and the Ford Fiesta sedan were recalled beginning from July 2012 and the process continued till as late as end-2013. The former was troubled by a minor crack in the Rear Twist Beam (RTB) while a minor leakage problem affected mass recalls of the latter. Separate issues in 2013 and 2014 also saw the EcoSport and the Titanium being recalled for repairs respectively. Not to forget the recent mass recall due to the airbag issue. 

2. Volkswagen

Total recalled units: 3,31,664

Most recalled car: All cars with the EA189 engine (read dieselgate)

The German carmaker was caught with its pants down late last year and led to arguably one of the biggest scams in the automobile industry. The cheat devise installed in the vehicles that were fitted with EA189 engine affected India too. Nearly 3.23 lakh units -- of cars like Polo, Vento, Jetta and Passat -- were called back by Volkswagen; making 2015 the year that saw the highest number of recalls. However, Volkswagen India asserted that the recall was only to update the engines and not connected to the scandal in any way.

1. Honda

Total recalled units: 4,56,092

Most recalled car: City

If Honda leading this chart has left you surprised, be prepared for more. The Japanese manufacturer’s executive sedan and one of India’s most popular cars, the City is also the most recalled car in India. A total of 2,54,133 units of the executive sedan were recalled in the course of three years.

September 2015 saw the biggest recall for the Honda City, with 1,40,508 units being pulled back to fix 'rupturing of inflator body due to excessive internal pressure at the time of airbag deployment.'  With nearly 60 per cent of the total recalls since the voluntary code was adopted, the year 2015 was the busiest year for the industry in terms of recalls as mentioned earlier. If your car was one of the vehicles that were recalled or if you are surprised with the names on the list, let us know in the comments below.

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