2012 vehicle recalls topped 16.2 million

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. safety regulators said automakers made 586 recalls totaling more than 16.2 million vehicles in 2012, slightly more than 2011 but less than 2010.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said most of the recalls followed customer complaints, which numbered 41,912, up from 49,417 in 2011 and down from 65,765 in 2010, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

"The role of the consumer in influencing auto recalls cannot be underestimated. Consumers are the lifeblood of the recall process and recalls are often the direct result of a government investigation into consumer complaints," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

The NHTSA said there were 15.5 million vehicles recalled in 2011 and more than 20 million recalled in 2010.