[teaston]

This news appears to be a few weeks old but i've only just heard about it.

53 Million cars recalled for faulty airbags!

How on earth could they make that many before realising?!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32925357

[MarkG_M5Comp]

I heard about this a while back - have a feeling it was on the TV news actually.

Anyway, having experience of Japanese manufacturing companies I can fully understand how didn't 'realise' sooner as it's difficult to hear all the complaints with your head buried in the sand.

It's likely the airbag manufacturer only took action when the authorities knocked on the front door.

Really, they make amazing things to amazing quality standards but you try telling them they're wrong....

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

I heard about this a while back - have a feeling it was on the TV news actually.

Anyway, having experience of Japanese manufacturing companies I can fully understand how didn't 'realise' sooner as it's difficult to hear all the complaints with your head buried in the sand.

It's likely the airbag manufacturer only took action when the authorities knocked on the front door.

Really, they make amazing things to amazing quality standards but you try telling them they're wrong....

I know it can be hard to admit when you're wrong, but 53 Million! That is insane!

[jusdorange]

Originally Posted by teaston

I know it can be hard to admit when you're wrong, but 53 Million! That is insane!

You'd be amazed at the head in sand attitude

Personal experience with BMW

[jusdorange]

Also could be seen as ;

A lawsuit would cost us say £10m

A recall would cost £50m

My figures I know are off but you get the idea

So if 1 in a mill die - we still richer

[....,,,,..,,..]

It may also be that this common item, for example a seal (water ingress) has failed on 100 occasions giving 0.001 % failure rate.

Then it has been found older ones perish or something and failure rate increases past permissible level.

Purely conjecture based on some experience with real work engineering changes.

For some components it is amazing just how few manufactures make them, this always gives single point failures.

Any engineering change requires a specific trigger level, quantity, costs, legal action, safety etc.

A few people (small percentage) reporting an issue is never escalated unless safety or liability issues.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by jusdorange

Also could be seen as ;

A lawsuit would cost us say £10m

A recall would cost £50m

My figures I know are off but you get the idea

So if 1 in a mill die - we still richer

There is a famous case in the US about that, "the Ford pinto memo" or it's cheaper to let them burn.

[Nick the Greek]

Look At ThE Bridge Over The River Kwai.....

[jusdorange]

Originally Posted by Wills2

There is a famous case in the US about that, "the Ford pinto memo" or it's cheaper to let them burn.

I'll believe it

Unless you're causing harm to their daughter or something it'll get ignored

[pedroF31]

I am glad to see that the myth of 'Japanese quality' is gradually being challenged. The only Japanese car I owned was a RAV 4 and it was a total piece of under-engineered
and unreliable s**t. I traded it in for a Landrover and it was the best decision I ever made !