Think about what a recall is. It is the company saying,
"We know there is a problem, we know the solution, and we want to fix it before you experience a problem, and we want to fix it for free".
Some of the recent Toyota recalls have involved cars as old as 1995.
Now think how many other car brands will say "We do not acknowledge a problem, we do not know how to fix your car, we don't care if you have a problem, because your car is old and we build em' better now, and we would go bankrupt if we offered to fix every car for free".
Now which brands will your friend consider?