There have been some huge product recalls over the years that have cost companies hundreds of millions of dollars. It’s important that the products we purchase are safe, but sometimes they’ve been known to fall through quality control checks. Here are 15 of the biggest product recalls in history and what happened.
Extra-Strength Tylenol (1982)
In 1982, Extra-Strength Tylenol had to be taken off the shelves due to someone tampering with them, which caused numerous deaths. According to History, it was the biggest product recall in American history, as stores and pharmacies had to pull 31 million bottles from the shelves.
Peanut Corp. of America (2008)
Peanut Corp. of America was linked to a salmonella outbreak in 2008, which caused several deaths and many people to become seriously ill. It was the largest food recall in American history and caused 360 companies to remove 4,000 different products from store shelves.
Ford Firestone Tires (2000)
During 2000, Ford had to recall 6.5 million Firestone tires. This was because they had defects that were causing accidents and fatalities. After this, Ford then decided to recall a further 13 million tires. There were disputes over what caused this recall and it greatly dented Ford’s reputation.
Ford Cruise Control Switch (1999)
Ford also had to recall 14 million vehicles due to a faulty cruise control switch, which led to fire risks. This was one of the biggest automobile recalls of the time. This incident led to financial losses for the company and public safety concerns.
Pfizer’s Bextra (2005)
Bextra was a painkiller created by Pfizer, but the drug’s risks outweighed its benefits, causing it to be recalled. Side effects included heart conditions and severe skin reactions. It was because of this that Bextra created many legal issues for Pfizer and cost the company billions.
Infantino Baby Slings (2010)
These baby slings had to be recalled due to the risk of suffocation, and several infant fatalities were even reported. The recall affected approximately one million Infantino baby slings and caused widespread revaluation of all baby slings and their safety standards by other companies.
Ace Bayou Bean Bag Chairs (2014)
In 2014, over two million of these bean bag chairs were recalled due to suffocation and choking incidents. It raised many questions over the safety and quality of these bean bag chairs. They were an item commonly used by children so they needed to be as safe as possible.
Graco High Chairs (2010)
There were 1.2 million high chairs recalled in 2010 due to stability issues, leading to injuries among infants. Graco had to rethink the design of their high chairs and listen to consumer feedback to ensure they got it right. Safety measures were put into place, and safer high chairs were created.
Simplicity Drop Side Cribs (2009)
According to CNN Money, 2.1 million Simplicity Drop Side Cribs were deemed unsafe and had to be recalled. There had been reports on how safe the cribs were due to injuries and the potential for suffocation. As a result, these cribs went through stricter regulations before heading out to stores.
Takata Airbags (2013–2019)
Over the course of six years, 56 million vehicles had to be recalled due to safety issues with the airbags. These faulty airbags caused injuries and even deaths because they couldn’t do their job properly. It was one of the largest and most complex recalls in American history.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (2016)
This popular mobile phone was recalled twice in 2016 because of fire hazards that came from faulty batteries. There was a global recall of 2.5 million phones, which severely affected Samsung’s brand. As a result, Samsung ensured their phones went through extensive safety checks.
Mattel Toys (2007)
Mattel toys had to be recalled in 2007 due to lead in paint and magnets that could become loose. It created concerns about safety around the world, and 20 million toys were recalled due to safety concerns.
General Motors Ignition Switch (2014)
A faulty ignition switch resulted in 124 deaths and many injuries in 2012, but the cars weren’t recalled until 2014. General Motors had to recall 3.2 million cars and was fined $35 million for this safety oversight. It prompted many questions regarding how safe cars actually are.
IKEA Dressers (2016)
Forbes writes that IKEA ordered the recall of 29 million dressers and chests after the deaths of six infants who were crushed by the furniture. The recall saw a widespread public safety campaign, and the product was redesigned to ensure it wouldn’t happen again.
Johnson & Johnson Opioids Recall (2020)
In 2020, Johnson & Johnson created a voluntary recall of their opioids after they were linked with symptoms of addiction and other health issues. The brand faced legal settlements and a large amount of public backlash. It had a huge impact on Johnson & Johnson’s reputation, which has always been seen as reliable.
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