The simplest solution would have been to tell Ford to recall all 12.5 million vehicles with switches that always had power.

"It caught up with all of us in 2004 when the industry recalled 30.6 million vehicles, nearly twice the number we sold last year," he said.

The company, which is 37 percent owned by DaimlerChrysler, recalled more than two million vehicles in 2000 and 2001.

The company said that it would recall 163,000 vehicles, mostly in Japan, to make repairs on 26 defects, including problems with engines and fuel tanks.

The auto maker recalled 8.7 million vehicles it built from 1988 to 1993.

Mercedes has spent close to $550 million this year recalling 1.3 million vehicles from previous years because of brake and electrical system problems.

Toyota recalled nearly 8 million vehicles in the United States for these two defects.

January 21, 2010: Toyota recalls 2.3 million vehicles for the sticky pedal defect.

The company has recalled more than two million vehicles over the last five years.

Honda is recalling 172,000 vehicles because of a problem with the door latches that could cause a door to open while driving.