5 Cars That Were Pulled From the Market for Shocking Reasons
Not every car that is released is a hit. Sometimes car manufacturers miss the mark for one reason or another and wind up pulling vehicles from the market. Over the years, there have been countless cars that were recalled or discontinued. Here are five cars that were pulled from the market (and the reasons why might surprise you).
1. Toyopet Crown
Toyota is wildly popular in the United States now, but when the carmaker first attempted to break into the American market in the late 1950s, it failed. Miserably. The Toyopet Crown was the first car that was released in the U.S. by the Japanese automaker. Unfortunately, the car was underpowered and struggled to handle U.S. highways, where speed limits were higher than in Japan. The sluggish engine and poor performance made it difficult for the car to appeal to American drivers. Additionally, the ride quality was stiff and uncomfortable, making long-distance travel unpleasant. Toyota ultimately pulled the Toyopet Crown from the U.S. market in 1961 due to disappointing sales and negative reviews.
2. Ford Pinto
The Ford Pinto became infamous for one of the biggest automotive scandals in history. Released in 1971, it quickly gained a bad reputation due to a design flaw in its fuel tank. In rear-end collisions, the fuel tank was prone to rupturing, causing deadly fires and explosions. Internal company documents later revealed that Ford was aware of the defect but chose not to fix it due to cost concerns. After a public outcry and numerous lawsuits, Ford was forced to recall and discontinue the Pinto in 1980.
3. Hyundai Kona Electric
Hyundai now has the Ioniq, which is doing well. However, the Kona Electric was not as successful. Although it was initially a promising entry into the EV market, there were some concerns about the safety of the vehicle due to reports of battery fires. Investigations found that faulty battery cells could overheat and ignite, resulting in several spontaneous vehicle fires. In response, Hyundai issued a global recall of nearly 77,000 units and even replaced entire battery packs in affected vehicles. The controversy hurt the reputation of Hyundai’s EV lineup and led to the discontinuation of the Kona Electric in multiple markets.
4. Dodge Viper
The Dodge Viper was a powerhouse of American muscle, known for its extreme performance and aggressive styling. However, it was also notorious for being difficult to control, lacking key safety features like traction control in its early years. The Viper’s raw power made it a high-risk vehicle for inexperienced drivers, leading to numerous accidents. Additionally, tightening safety and emissions regulations made it increasingly difficult for Dodge to justify the production costs. After multiple production halts, Dodge officially discontinued the Viper in 2017.
5. Pontiac Aztek
GM discontinued the entire Pontiac brand in 2010 due to poor sales and declining financial stability. The Aztek was one of the most disappointing vehicles in the carmaker’s lineup. Initially, it was seen as an ambitious attempt by General Motors to create a crossover SUV with futuristic styling. But the design was widely ridiculed for its awkward proportions and unattractive appearance. Marketed as a versatile and adventure-ready vehicle, the Aztek failed to attract buyers due to its unappealing aesthetics. Poor sales and GM’s declining financial stability forced the company to discontinue the model in 2005. Surprisingly, the Aztek later gained a cult following, partly due to its association with the TV show Breaking Bad.
Lessons Learned from These Market Failures
Even the biggest carmakers in the U.S. have made mistakes. These five cars serve as reminders that some vehicles (and even entire brands) don’t meet expectations all the time. Some have been connected to some serious safety concerns, while others simply didn’t appeal to consumers. Whatever the case may be, these have been pulled from the market and won’t likely ever return.
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.