It's OK, most of us have done it. We see headline after headline about yet another safety recall of thousands, if not millions of cars or trucks -- and never check to see if our car or truck is among them. Or we get a snail-mail recall notice that some of us mistake for junk and quickly toss it in the trash.
Here's what to do instead to make sure that the Ford or Ferrari parked in your garage is up to snuff safetywise.
What is a safety defect?
A safety defect is a problem in your car or truck that poses an unreasonable risk to safety, and may exist in other vehicles of the same design or manufacture, or similar parts used by the same and/or different auto makers.
How do recalls work?
Federal standards set minimum requirements for parts of the vehicle that affect its safe operation or that protect drivers and passengers from death or serious injury in the event of a crash. A recall is required when a vehicle or a part of one does not meet those performance standards
How big a deal is a recall?
It's a big deal. They can include safety-related defects that could lead to a loss of steering, wiring problems that could lead to fire or air bags which deploy when they are not supposed to. But they don't include other issues, such as a broken air-conditioning system or faulty radio.
Right, but how do I know if it's a really big deal?
The government and auto manufacturers send heightened alerts when the risk of the defect is seen as especially high. “Do Not Drive” and “Park Outside” notifications are recalls issued by automakers and federal safety officials. A “Do Not Drive” recall advises drivers not to operate their vehicles because a serious safety issue could lead to an accident or physical harm. A “Park Outside” recall is issued for vehicles with a high risk of causing a fire, and owners are advised to park these vehicles outside of garages and parking structures, and away from buildings.
How do I find out if I have a recalled car or truck?
By law, you should receive a notification in the mail from the manufacturer of your car or truck. You can also search the website for the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many news organizations also report on widespread safety recalls for cars and trucks based on information from the federal government and auto manufacturers.
What information will display in the online search results on the NHTSA website?
When searching by license plate or VIN, you’ll learn if a specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall. When searching by a vehicle’s year, make and model, or for car seats, tires or equipment, you'll get general results for recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications.
That's fine, but what if I want stay in the know about recalls affecting me?
You can also sign up to receive from NHTSA e-mail recall notifications affecting your make and model; download the Safercar mobile app for iPhones or Safercar mobile app for Androids to have recall alerts sent to your phone; or subscribe to RSS feeds about safety-related recalls for child restraints, vehicles and tires.
Are there any other ways to find out about a safety recall on my vehicle?
Yes. Auto makers often have their own web sites with information, including the General Motors site here. Ford Motor, for example, has a mobile phone app called FordPass which has a tab with recall information and notification feature to push out the latest information. The nonprofit Center for Auto Safety has a look-up tool on its website. The private data company Carfax for example warns its 30 million Car Care members when there’s an unfixed recall for their vehicle. Click here for more detail. Government and businesses can also sign up for a service to check their vehicle fleets. In select states partnering with the federal government, the secretary of state or department of motor vehicle may check your car or truck against recall information and alert you separately about an outstanding safety issue. Other resources include the National Safety Council's Check to Protect campaign. Click here for more information.
How do I check for recalls on my own?
Go online to NHTSA’s website and use its lookup tool to check your license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number for any open safety recalls. Look on the lower left of your car's windshield for your 17-digit VIN. It's also on your vehicle registration card, and it may be on your insurance card, too.
What will that tell me?
When searching by license plate or VIN, you’ll learn if a specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall. When searching by a vehicle’s year, make and model, or for car seats, tires or equipment, you'll get general results for recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications.
Where do I get it fixed?
Your car or truck's authorized manufacturer dealership. But increasingly with the advent of the massive Takaka airbag recall, auto makers are coming to customers, performing mobile recall repairs at owner's homes and work places. Ford, for example, offers complementary pick up and delivery through participating dealership for recall repairs.
How much will it cost to fix?
Nothing in almost every case. If there is a safety recall, your manufacturer is required to fix the problem free of charge. There are some exceptions. A manufacturer may or may not pay for repairs on vehicle older than 15 years.
What if they tell me the fix is not known or the new part is not available?
You'll have to wait. The manufacturer's notice will sometimes indicate when a fix is expected to be available. And they will often notify you again once it is.
I want to buy a used car. Is it legal to buy one with a safety defect that hasn't been fixed?
In most places, yes. There is no federal law that prohibits the sale of used cars with an open recall. Many nationwide used car retailers now warn customers about the recall status of the car or truck they intended to buy. If you go ahead and buy it anyway, consumer advocates suggest you make sure your registration has your current address information; you subscribe to email alerts about safety recalls, you think about registering with a private data company like Carfax for updates and you consider informing the manufacturer directly about your used car purchase.
This report received funding from the Abrams Nieman Fellowships for Local Investigative Journalism.
Contact Matthew Dolan: 313-223-4743 or msdolan@freepress.com. Follow him on X at @matthewsdolan
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Car recalls: How to check if your vehicle has one, what it means
