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Engine Failure Recall
General Motors was forced to recall seven million vehicles in 1971 as the cars dealt with acceleration issues. This recall was one of the more dangerous defects that could have killed many people. It is not known how many deaths or injuries arose from the malfunction.
The problem began with a loose engine that pried open the accelerator and pulled away from the power brake hose. General Motors traced the problem to a bolt restraint that mounted the engine in place. Furthermore, the engine problem could render the transmission useless and cause vehicles to slip out of gear.
The incident affected many cars that were manufactured between 1965 and 1969. In total, the recall cost General Motors between $25 to $37 million to fix the problem.