What is a vehicle recall?
Recalls are often issued for safety related defects on your vehicle. It happens when the vehicle does not meet the minimum safety standards and can bring risk of injury to you and your family. This defect might be related to performance, construction, or component.
Who can issue a vehicle recalls?
A vehicle recall can be issue voluntarily by the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The second situation happens when NHTSA receives a fair amount of complains about a specific problem with that year make and model.
In both cases, the manufacturer must notify NHTSA, dealers, and vehicle owners about the recall.
How do I know if my car has been recalled?
If your vehicle has been recalled, the manufacturer will notify you by sending you a letter that identifies what component needs to be repaired or replaced.
But if you want to be on top of the game, NHTSA offers a free way to check for any recalls on your vehicle.
You just need to go to their website https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls and insert your Vehicle's VIN number in the search box.
Do I have to pay for the recall on my car?
You don't have to pay for any recalls. The manufacturer is required by law to repair/replace the damage with no charges for the vehicle's owner. But make sure to take your vehicle to an authorized dealership.
You should contact the manufacturer directly or NHTSA at 888-327-4236 in case the dealer attempts to charge anything for the recall. You can use the same number to report safety issues or possible defects you've encountered.
What should I
do if my car is recalled?
If you receive a notification about a recall on your vehicle, that notification will also contain information about how to proceed to have the issue properly fixed.
But most
common action the manufacturer will instruct you to take is to call the dealer
and set up an appointment to have repairs done. Make sure to follow the safety
guidance the manufacturer will provide on that letter.
What parts of the vehicle can be recalled?
NHTSA has
prepared a guide that lists some of the parts that can be recalled. These are
few examples, but the list does not resume to them:
Safety related defects
º Steering
º Airbags
º Fuel
components, leaky system
º Accelerator’s
malfunction
º Wheels
º Cooling fan
º Windshield
wipers
º Seats
º Breaks
º Any wiring
system
º Defective
seat belts, buckles and components
Non-safety
related parts
º AC and radio
º Equipment
that needs to be inspected regularly such as batteries, brake pads and exhaust
parts.
º Paint and
cosmetic issues
º You can read
more on the NHTSA’s guidea bout recalls.
Do recalls apply to second owners?
No matter if you got a brand-new vehicle or a used one. If you are the registered owner of that vehicle you are entitled to be notified if any recall has been issued for your car.
The procedure is the same and still, you will have no cost for that problem to be solved. Make sure to get VIN for your vehicle and check for any recalls before you buy it.
You have
the right to request the dealer that is selling the car to have the repairs
done before you sign the papers and commit to purchase.
Other
websites to look if your vehicle has any opened recalls:
º Carfax https://www.carfax.com/recall/
º Safercar.gov
https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/
Now you know! If you get a recall notification in the mail, contact your dealer and make an appointment to have the recall work completed free of charges.
Let me know if
you still have questions on the comment section below this post.
Best,
Car Safe Car
Team
