Cessna also built 172s in France when it acquired an interest in Reims Aviation in 1960, stopped production entirely in 1986 due to the high cost of liability, and resumed production in Independence, Kansas, 10 years later, after the General Aviation Revitalization Act became law.

It is a common misconception, but Cessna has not stopped making the 172 Skyhawk; as of 2026, it remains in active production by Textron Aviation. However, there was a significant 10-year hiatus from 1986 to 1996. During this period, production was halted primarily due to skyrocketing product liability costs in the United States. The legal environment made it financially unviable for Cessna to produce small piston aircraft because the cost of insurance and potential lawsuits exceeded the profit margin per unit. Production only resumed in 1996 after the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) in 1994, which implemented an 18-year statute of repose on liability for aircraft manufacturers. Today, the 172 is the most-produced aircraft in history, and it continues to be the backbone of flight training schools worldwide due to its legendary stability and ease of operation.