What Happens If My Car Is Recalled?
Buying a car is exciting. You choose your color, features, and you take them home. But what happens if that car turns out to be the subject of a recall? A defective or dangerous product can cause severe injuries to its owner or other people using it. A company that makes a dangerous or defective product can be held responsible for the injuries and damages caused by that product.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for recalling defective car parts and assessing fines against the companies that make those parts. In many cases, the manufacturer of a defective part will send you a letter notifying you of the recall. The manufacturer will explain how to get your car fixed in this letter. You might have to bring your vehicle to a local dealership for service in some cases.
Keeping track of recalls for your car can save you time and money - in addition to helping keep you safe. Some people use the NHTSA website to keep track of recalls affecting their vehicles. However, this is not a complete list of all recalls. DoNotPay can help you track recalls to see .
How Often Are Recalls Issued for Cars?
The NHTSA estimates that there are about 500 car recalls every year. Some of these recalls affect individual vehicles, while others can affect millions of vehicles across multiple years. On average, there are about 20-30 recalls per month.
What Are Some Reasons a Car Might Be Recalled?
Some reasons a car might be recalled are:
- The product was defective or dangerous before it came to market.
- There were problems during the manufacturing process, which led to more defects once the product left the factory. The manufacturer might have fixed these problems if they had caught them earlier in the process.
- A company made changes to a product without telling anyone else. This can happen when companies try to save money by using cheaper parts in their car. In some cases, these more affordable parts can be dangerous because they lack essential safety features.
- The car did not include proper warnings or labels to alert the user of potentially fatal danger.
How Does NHTSA Decide Which Cars Will Get Recalled?
NHTSA audits companies across many industries to ensure that their products meet appropriate safety standards. If an audit finds that a company's product is defective or dangerous, NHTSA will launch a full investigation. The NHTSA's findings can lead to a recall and fines for the manufacturer of the defective part.
What Happens After a Car Recall Is Issued?
When an auto manufacturer issues a recall for one of its vehicles, the company has to notify all owners of the affected vehicles. In some cases, this involves mailing a letter or postcard to your address on record with the manufacturer. The car owner is required by law to bring the car in for repair as soon as possible after receiving notice of a recall. If you fail to get the vehicle in within a certain amount of time, you could be held responsible for any future accidents or injuries resulting from the defective part.
How Do I Get My Car Fixed After It's Been Recalled?
Knowing who to contact for your car recall can be tricky, but some excellent resources are available. Here is information on how to get your car fixed after a recall:
| If you received notice of the recall in the mail | Contact the manufacturer or owner of the affected vehicle. |
| If you lost the original letter from the manufacturer | Contact the manufacturer or owner of the affected vehicle. |
| If you can't determine where your recall notice came from | Contact NHTSA at (888) 327-4236. |
You will have to contact a dealership or service center authorized by the manufacturer to fix your car in many cases. In some cases, the dealer might send a letter instead of notifying you in person. If you don't know how to get your vehicle fixed, call the NHTSA at (888) 327-4236.
How to Check for Safety Recalls on Your Vehicle Using DoNotPay's Car Recall Monitor
If you own a vehicle, whether it's used or new, it's crucial to check for recalls. Driving a recalled vehicle can lead to accidents and fatalities. DoNotPay can help you stay updated on all your car's recalls through our car recall monitor.
How the Car Recall Monitor Works:
- Enter your vehicle information, including the make, model, and year.
- We'll automatically check against the NHTSA database to see if your vehicle has been involved in any recalls.
- We'll generate a report summarizing all of the recalls, including the recalled date, NHTSA campaign number, required remediations, and more.
How to Schedule Car Dealership Appointments to Repair Recalled Vehicles Using DoNotPay
If your vehicle has been recalled, you're entitled to a free repair. Regardless of whether it's a used or new car, you can use the DoNotPay Car Recall Repair product to schedule an appointment at your local car dealership and get your vehicle repaired.
How the Car Recall Repair product works:
- Enter your vehicle information, including the make, model, and year.
- Tell us about the recall and which part of the vehicle is impacted.
- Enter the car dealership you want to visit or let us contact the closest one near you.
- Enter the ideal date(s) and time(s) you wish to schedule your appointment.
- Enter your Vehicle Identification Number.
And that's it. DoNotPay will contact your local dealership to request an appointment and ask for your vehicle to be repaired for free.
How Do I Know My Car Is Safe to Drive After the Recall Has Been Fixed?
Once you've taken your car in for repair, you might be wondering if your vehicle is safe to drive. While the car might get a passing grade from the government, it's crucial to stay up-to-date on any potential recalls. Check for updates, and other recalls regularly using DoNotPay 's free recall monitor tool.
Why Use DoNotPay to Keep Informed of Car Recalls?
DoNotPay is the most comprehensive car recall resource. You can quickly check for any vehicle recalls you haven't taken care of already, schedule repairs, and get notified when new recalls arise.
- It's simple to use. All you need is your car's make, model, and year to learn about the recalls associated with your vehicle.
- It's all-inclusive. We don't just focus on government-issued recalls. We also inform you of any manufacturer-initiated repairs too.
- It works for any vehicle. Whether your car is new or used, DoNotPay can still keep you informed of any vehicle recalls.
Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your car is safe to drive. Use DoNotPay 's Car Recall Monitor product.