How often do you watch the news? Hidden within the hours of broadcasts may be something extremely important and something that should never be overlooked. We’ll explain…
Stories of vehicle recalls may pop up in the headlines and it’s important to pay attention. More important is to not ignore these warnings as they could pose a potential threat to the safety of yourself and your family. Hundreds of people have been either injured or killed by defective air bags. This statistic has brought on the largest and most perplexing vehicle recall in our country’s history. Seventy million vehicles have been affected from 19 automobile makers.
A vehicle recall is a manufacturer’s effort to remove faulty, potentially hazardous vehicles from our roads. Typically, a recall involves a piece of equipment from the car that does not meet the safety standards and regulations at the federal level. Tens of millions of vehicles are recalled every single year. So, once again, it’s extremely important to pay attention and be aware.
Recall notices are typically sent by your vehicle’s manufacturer via mail. Make sure you’re always checking your mailbox, so you don’t miss an important recall notice. If you’re at all concerned about the possibility of missing a notice, there are alternative methods to get the information. You can sign up for notification emails from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.
Your vehicle’s VIN number can help you see if your vehicle has a recall notice. In addition, the NHTSA’s website has useful information regarding vehicle-related products i.e. car seats, tires, and equipment. Your vehicle’s VIN number can be located on the lower left of your vehicle’s windshield. Your vehicle’s registration also has this information.
It is understandable that receiving a recall notice for your vehicle can be stressful. Here’s the good news: It’s free to get the problem fixed! That’s right! Your vehicle’s manufacturer is required by law to fix the problem free of charge. It is not uncommon for manufacturer’s to issue refunds for the labor.
If you ever suspect something faulty with your vehicle, you should report it to NHTSA immediately. You can either report the problem on their website or call their vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or toll-free at 1-800-424-9393.
By staying up to date on your vehicle’s functionality, we can all work together in making our roads a lot safer! We’re here for you!