What Does A Recall Mean?
The largest vehicle recall ever was in 1980 when Ford Motor Company recalled 21 million vehicles for an issue that caused the car to go from park to reverse. Most of the cars were never repaired, and instead, a sticker to be applied to the dashboard was sent to owners of the cars. If you own a Ford from the years of 1966 to 1980, you might be familiar with the sticker. Not all recalls are as large or as potentially dangerous as the Ford example, but they still should be addressed.
Today automobiles are getting more and more complicated. And with the increase in options, the chance for something to malfunction also rises. Most recalls are sent out by the manufacturer to address issues that come up in similar vehicles. The Federal Government can also issue a recall due to safety or environmental concerns.
If you are the original owner of an automobile you will receive recall notifications. If you bought the car used you can register the vehicle with the manufacturer to receive recall information. Registration can be found on the manufacturer’s website, just remember to have your VIN handy.
You can also check to see if recalls have been repaired on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at nhtsa.gov. Information for cars sold since 1966 is available on the site.
The manufacturer is on the hook for paying for the recall, and they are typically done through a mechanic authorized by them. But, if you’re considering buying a used car, we can perform an inspection to see if all recalls have been repaired. An AutoCare technician can also check Technical Service Bulletins for other repairs that need to be made to the automobile. We can help you save a lot of money, hassle, and we can help keep you safe.
