Auto recalls are a part of the auto industry. Sometimes, a vehicle needs a little fine-tuning to be safe on the roads again. Thousands of new cars have been recalled in the past few years, but when a recall notice lands on your doormat, you may have many questions about the recall process. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of FAQs about vehicle recalls – along with the answers that you need.
An auto recall happens when the manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a car model (or several) has a safety-related defect or does not comply with the federal safety standard. When this happens, the automaker alerts the owners to the problem and is typically offered a free repair.
Commonly, it is necessary when:
A motor vehicle or equipment (including tires) does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
There is a safety-related defect in the vehicle or equipment.
Car companies are required to send letters to customers affected by the recall. You can also stay up to date with recalls by visiting the NHTSA’s website here. The letter will describe the problem, potential warning signs, the risk, and instructions on what you should do next.
While you may not need to stop driving your car, if you learn that your car has been recalled, it’s best not to take the risk and keep driving it without getting the necessary repairs. Get your car fixed as soon as possible.
If you think your vehicle or equipment has a safety defect, reporting it to NHTSA is an important first step to getting the situation remedied and making the roads safer! You can either call the Vehicle Safety Hotline, or file a complaint.
If your car is on the NHTSA’s car recall list, all recall-related fixes should be done for free. You'll need to take your car to an authorized dealer since they contract directly with the manufacturer. Maintaining car safety is much more than following up on recall notices. Find out what auto insurance you should have to keep your vehicle, finances, and family safe by contacting Tompkins Insurance Agencies today.
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