As Toyota s latest recall continues to unravel, one couldn t blame drivers for feeling paranoid about car safety.

The number of Toyota vehicles recalled over the last few months because of problems with floor mats or gas pedals has reached nine million. Safety concerns have triggered a Congressional hearing, tentatively scheduled for next Thursday.

In halting production and sales for the affected models, Toyota s reaction to the recall is unprecedented in its scope and significance. I don t recall a situation in the automotive industry where they ve had to stop sales of that many vehicles, says George Belch, a professor of marketing at San Diego State University.

The eight models that have been affected by the recall, including some of the auto maker s most popular models, such as the Camry and Corolla, make up 65% of Toyota s sales volume, according to Edmunds.com. The automotive information company, which makes sales volume predictions based on consumer s prepurchase behavior on its web site, estimates that in January, Toyota s market share will likely drop to 14.7%, its lowest since 2006.

Of course, car recalls are hardly rare. In fact, they happen on a weekly and occasionally daily basis.

If people think about how much more complex cars are today, the fact that there aren t more recalls is probably more amazing than the fact that there are any, says Jeff Bennett, a professor of automotive marketing at Northwood University in Midland, Mich.

Not only are car parts becoming more sophisticated, but increasingly, they are produced by many different companies. If you could paint every part of your car that came from a company other than your car manufacturer a different color, you d have the rainbow under your hood, Bennett says. Thus, one defective part can cause a ripple effect among manufacturers. General Motors, for example, has issued a recall on its Pontiac Vibe 2009 and 2010 models, because they use the same defective accelerator pedal. (GM had halted production on the Vibe last summer, however, and only two dozen or so vehicles remain unsold in dealerships, according to media reports.)

To be sure, the Toyota recall will go down in automotive history as one of the largest and most significant recalls. But while the spotlight may be on Toyota s affected models today, it could shift to another manufacturer tomorrow.

Here are 10 auto recalls that were announced in the last six weeks.

Date reported by manufacturer: Jan. 29, 2010
Model, year recalled: Honda Fit, 2007-2008
Number of vehicles affected: 646,000 worldwide

Defective components: Driver s master power-window switch

It can overheat and cause a fire when it makes contact with excessive liquid, such as heavy rain.

Remedy: Honda says drivers are not advised to take their car to the dealerships yet, because they don t have the requisite parts.

Date reported by manufacturer: Jan. 21, 2010
Model, year recalled: Pontiac Vibe, 2009-2010
Number of vehicles affected: Unknown

Defective components: Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/linkage

The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM has not provided a remedy plan or owner notification yet. Owners may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Date reported by the manufacturer: Jan. 7, 2010
Model, year recalled: Chrysler Sebring, 2010; Dodge Avenger, 2010; Dodge Nitro, 2010; Dodge Ram, 2009-2010; Jeep Commander, 2010; Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2010; Jeep Liberty, 2010
Number of vehicles affected: 24,000

Defective components: Service brakes, hydraulic

The recalled vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip. This could result in brake failure without warning, which could cause a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler says it will replace the defective component free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

Date reported by the manufacturer: Dec. 23, 2009
Model, year recalled: Acura MDX, 2010, manufactured between Oct. 7, 2009 and Nov. 14, 2009
Number of vehicles affected: 644

Defective components: Air bags

A bolt used to attach an interior trim piece to either the driver s or passenger s side a-pillar may not have been installed during manufacturing. In the event of a crash resulting in side curtain air bag deployment, the trim piece may not remain properly secured to the a-pillar, increasing the risk of injury to the driver and/or the front-seat passenger.

Remedy: Honda says dealers will inspect the interior trim piece of the a-piller and, if a bolt is missing, it will be installed free of charge.

Date reported by the manufacturer: Dec. 23, 2009
Model, year recalled: Honda Ridgeline, 2006-2007, manufactured between Jan. 17, 2005 and June 7, 2006.
Number of vehicles affected: 129,000

Defective components: Electrical system: instrument panel

A wiring harness connector for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor located under the passenger s side of the instrument panel may be open to kicking by the front seat passenger s feet. If this occurs, the connector terminal may overheat, and this may cause the wire insulation or the wiring connector to melt. Should that happen and the exposed wires make contact with each other causing a short circuit, a fire may occur.

Remedy: Honda says dealers will inspect and if the wiring connector is damaged, it will be replaced and all vehicles will have the protective cover installed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in March 2010.

Date reported by the manufacturer: Dec. 22, 2009
Model, year recalled: Hyundai Azera, 2006-2009
Number of vehicles affected: 80

Defective components: Frontal air bags

The wiring harness for the right front seat-belt tension sensor may sustain damage after repeated use of the seat belt. If the seat-belt tension sensor wiring becomes damaged, the airbag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating front airbag deployment. The seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Hyundai says it will inspect and replace the right front seat belt and install a new seat-belt tension sensor wiring harness clip, if necessary. Services will be performed free of charge.

Date reported by the manufacturer: Dec. 18, 2009
Model, year recalled: Chevrolet Corvette, 2005-2007; Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2006-2007
Number of vehicles affected: 22,090

Defective components: Roof and pillars

The vehicles recalled are equipped with a removable roof. The adhesive between the roof panel and the frame may separate. The driver may not notice a partial separation. If there is a complete separation, the roof panel may detach from the vehicle. If this happens while the vehicle is driven, it could strike a following vehicle and cause injury or property damage.

Remedy: GM says dealers will install a new design roof panel free of charge beginning in January 2010.

Date reported by the manufacturer: Dec. 18, 2009
Model, year recalled: Chevrolet Equinox, 2010; GMC Terrain, 2010
Number of vehicles affected: 59,031

Defective components: Defroster / defogger system

The software in the center instrument panel can cause the heating, air conditioning, defrost, and radio controls, as well as the panel illumination, to become inoperative. Driving without a functioning defrost system can decrease your visibility under certain driving conditions and could result in a crash without warning.

Remedy: GM says dealers will replace the computer module in the center instrument panel free of charge beginning in January 2010.

Date reported by the manufacturer: Dec. 16, 2009
Model, year recalled: Hyundai Azera, 2006 2009, manufactured Sept. 27, 2005 through Oct. 1, 2008
Number of vehicles affected: 65,226

Defective components: Front seat belts

The wiring harness for the right front seat-belt tension sensor may sustain damage after repeated use of the seat belt. If the seat-belt tension sensor wiring becomes damaged the airbag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating front air bag deployment. The seat occupant is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Hyundai says it will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in February. Owners may contact Hyundai customer assistance at 1-800-633-5151.

Date reported by the manufacturer: Dec. 14, 2009
Model, year recalled: Audi Q5, 2009, manufactured between Nov. 25, 2008 and June 4, 2009
Number of vehicles affected: 6,054

Defective components: Air bags

A left and/or right a-pillar trim cover clip may not have been manufactured correctly, allowing the a-pillar trim to become loose when the sideguard heat protection airbags deploy during a crash. If this happens, a loose trim piece could injure the front seat occupants of the vehicle.

Remedy: Volkswagen says it will inspect the clip in the middle of the left and right a-pillar covers and replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on Jan. 22, 2010.