Product Recall Management

Product recalls affect thousands of products globally each year, impacting millions of customers and causing severe consequences for companies. For instance, Takata’s airbag recall cost $25 billion and led to bankruptcy. Similarly, a viral video showing a Kryptonite bike lock easily broken damaged customer trust significantly. Effective recall management is crucial. It involves addressing supply chain, production, legal, and customer relationship aspects, with marketing playing a key role. A well-managed recall limits company damage and protects customers, while also considering investors, regulatory agencies, policymakers, and the public. This book offers guidance on developing a recall strategy, communicating safety risks, and restoring trust post-crisis. It provides detailed recommendations for recall management across different phases, with insights into consumer goods, food, and automotive sectors, and shows the broader impact of product defects. This book is a practical toolkit for managers, backed by current research and real-world case studies, ensuring effective navigation through product recalls. The European Commission recognized the book‘s unique contributions to research and practice with the 2025 EU Product Safety Gold Award.