What Drivers Need to Know About Motor Vehicle Recalls

Over the years, cars have undeniably become safer and more technologically advanced. Modern vehicles offer driver assistance features, effectively protect occupants from a range of crash scenarios, and are more comfortable for long roadtrips. However, even the most well-designed vehicle can suffer from overlooked safety flaws or design defects. When a vehicle is found to be unsafe due to a defect, the manufacturer or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can issue a motor vehicle recall. In this article, we explain what recall orders are, how you may be affected, and what you should do if your vehicle is recalled.

What is a Motor Vehicle Recall?

A recall order is issued when a car, SUV, or truck has a dangerous defect or is non-compliant with federal safety standards. When the unsafe condition is discovered, either the manufacturer or NHTSA can issue a recall to correct the problem. Recalls can be issued for problems as severe as brake or engine malfunctions or as relatively minor as glitchy backup cameras. Even the most well-regarded manufacturers will generally have a few recalls in any given year, but Ford has been particularly prone to recalls over the past two years.

How to Check for Safety Recalls

When a recall is issued, manufacturers will attempt to contact vehicle owners via mailed notices. Your recall notice will be sent to the address you have registered your vehicle at, making it important to keep your contact information up-to-date. You may also receive email or text notifications from your local dealership.

It is possible for recall notices to get lost in the mail or delivered to a previous owner’s address, so it’s always a good idea to periodically check the NHTSA recall portal for issues affecting your vehicle. If you know your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can look up recalls affecting your specific car. You can also search by license plate or vehicle make, model, and year.

Steps to Follow if Your Vehicle is Recalled

Receiving a vehicle recall notice can be stressful. We’ve put together a list of steps to follow if you find out that one of your family’s vehicles is affected by a safety recall.

1. Review the details of the recall notice: In many cases, you can continue to drive your vehicle while you wait for it to be serviced. However, there are some rare safety issues that may pose a fire risk or make your car unsafe to drive. Begin by reviewing the recall order to understand why your vehicle was recalled and how it can be made safe again.
2. Schedule a service appointment with your local dealership: Manufacturers are required to repair recalled vehicles at no cost to their owner. Some recalls may require your vehicle to have parts replaced or repaired. In other cases, your car may simply need an inspection to determine whether it is affected by a defect found in similar models. Some recalls may be addressed through an over-the-air (OTA) software update to correct faulty software or operating systems.
3. Seek reimbursement for previous repair work: If you became aware of a safety defect and paid to have it fixed before an official recall was issued, you may be able to seek reimbursement from the manufacturer of your car. The recall notice you receive should explain the steps you need to take to seek reimbursement for repairs you already paid for.

Do Recall Orders Expire?

If you have recently become aware of an open recall order affecting your vehicle, you’re likely in luck. Recall orders related to safety, federal compliance, or emissions standards do not expire, and you are able to seek repairs for the open recall at no cost. It’s important not to confuse recall orders with Customer Satisfaction Programs, which are time-limited initiatives ran by manufacturers to address specific vehicle components or warranties. Customer Satisfaction Programs do have expiration dates.

For Your Safety, Get Recalls Addressed Quickly

Recalls are only issued for problems a vehicle’s manufacturer or the NHTSA think could reasonably pose a risk to drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. If you are aware of a recall affecting your vehicle, schedule an appointment with your local dealership to address the problem as soon as possible.