Auto recalls up more than 25%

The number of vehicles recalled increased more than 25 percent in 2007, but the biggest recalls were largely limited to older models, suggesting that automakers are building more reliable cars and trucks.

Overall, 14.2 million vehicles were recalled this year, up from 11.2 million in 2006, but still far below the 30.8 million recalled in 2004, according to preliminary figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The increase is mainly due to a big jump at Ford Motor Co., which recalled 5.5 million vehicles this year, with about 4.8 million from 2004 and earlier model years. Most were recalled for a nagging problem with a cruise control deactivation switch the Dearborn-based automaker has been dealing with for years.

The other top five automakers saw their recall numbers decline, with General Motors Corp. seeing the biggest improvement. GM recalled 537,992 vehicles as of Dec. 21, a 61 percent drop from 1.37 million in 2006. Honda Motor Co. saw a 54 percent decline to 547,215 vehicles, from 1.19 million in 2006. Chrysler LLC and Toyota Motor Corp. also recalled fewer vehicles than last year, although the improvement was less dramatic.

Another contributor to the overall increase this year is Volkswagen of America, which recalled 1.5 million vehicles, mostly by expanding recalls of parts that are used in multiple vehicles.

Final recall figures won't be available until early next month. NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson declined to address the reasons behind the drop for most automakers.

Recalls include vehicles from all model years with the reported defect. So while some 2007 recalls include recent models, problems with newer vehicles often aren't showing up until later because vehicles generally are built better than in previous years. More at Detroit News