Big Auto Recalls

(Story updated with latest Ford recall.)
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- This past year was one of the worst years in the history of the auto industry in terms of the sheer volume of defective vehicles recalled, with Toyota(TM) serving as the poster child of unintended vehicle acceleration and arousing widespread suspicion of the auto industry's quality control standards.

According to the Associated Press, the industry recalled about 20 million vehicles in 2010. In the U.S., recalls hit their highest levels since 2004, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration having on record hundreds of auto-related recalls, including those from every one of the big six automakers: Toyota, Ford(F), Chrysler, GM(GM), Honda (HMC) and Nissan(NSANY).

Although consumers are hoping that the worst of the auto recall saga ended last year, 2011 is already shaping up to be another memorable year in auto recalls.

Which are the most significant auto recalls by size and name in 2011 and the past year? Click on to see....