If you’re a new driver, you’ve probably spent a lot of time practicing your skills behind the wheel, reviewing local traffic laws, and figuring out how to set up your car insurance plan. However, it’s also well worth your time to learn what motor vehicle recalls are and what to do if the car you drive is affected by one of these notices. While receiving a recall notice in the mail can be stressful, it’s important to take action to address the problem as soon as possible to ensure your car is safe to drive. A recent study on 2024 U.S. car recalls indicates that more than 21,000,000 people have been impacted by a recall this year, making it more important than ever to stay on top of current events in the automobile industry.
What Are Car Recalls?
When a significant amount of vehicles are found to suffer from a common design flaw or defect that puts people at risk of serious injury or death, all affected cars, trucks, or motorcycles are subject to a recall order. When your car is recalled, you’re supposed to take it to one of the manufacturer’s dealerships to have the problem taken care of. Depending on the severity of the issue and whether or not it can safely be repaired, the dealership may:
Repair the vehicle
Replace the damaged part(s)
Offering a refund for defective part(s)
Repurchasing the vehicle if it cannot be made roadworthy
In most cases, manufacturers voluntarily recall vehicles that they suspect may have a defect or fail to adhere to federal safety standards. In other cases, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may issue a recall order. You can check whether your car has any outstanding recall orders by using the NHTSA’s VIN lookup tool.
Do Not Drive Advisories
In some cases, a recall may be made to address a significant defect that can put drivers at risk of injury or death in a crash if they continue to drive their cars. When a manufacturer suspects that a defect is likely to cause a loss of control or crash, they may issue what is known as a “Do Not Drive” advisory instead of a standard recall notice. When a vehicle is flagged under a Do Not Drive advisory, the owner is encouraged not to operate the vehicle until the defect or safety flaw is addressed. Once the vehicle has been made safe, the owner may resume driving it as usual.
Park Outside Advisories
Another type of recall escalation is a “Park Outside” advisory. In some rare instances, a vehicle defect may increase the risk of a spontaneous fire breaking out. An affected vehicle may catch on fire whether it is parked or in use. When a vehicle is tagged under a “Park Outside” advisory, owners are advised to not drive the vehicle and park it outside, away from flammable structures. While all recall notices should be taken seriously and addressed as quickly as possible, Park Outside and Do Not Drive advisories are especially significant.
What to Do if Your Car is Recalled
Now that we’ve established the basics of the different types of recall orders, it’s essential that you know what to do if your car is affected by any of these conditions. The first thing you need to do is determine the severity of the vehicle defect. Some recalls may be for minor issues, such as a car having the wrong weight restrictions on its safety stickers. In such a situation, you should be able to continue safely driving your car until the problem is resolved. Other issues may impact your car’s steering, cause engine problems, or increase the risk of a fire breaking out spontaneously. Determining the scale of the problem can help you make an educated decision on whether you can safely drive your car before it’s repaired.
Once you’ve determined exactly which parts are affected, call your local dealership to schedule a time to have your vehicle repaired. The good news, as far as recalls are concerned, is that your local dealership is obligated to perform the necessary repairs or part replacements for free. You should not be charged for parts or labor when having a recall problem addressed.
If you already paid for a dealership or independent mechanic to fix a problem before it was highlighted in a vehicle recall, you may be able to submit a claim to the manufacturer for reimbursement. Be warned that dealerships may attempt to add additional services or “recommended” repairs that are not covered under a recall when you take your car in, so be sure to understand exactly what you are agreeing to before giving them the go-ahead to work on your vehicle.
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Efficiently Handling a Car Recall
We understand that it can be stressful to receive a recall notice in the mail or observe that your car is included in a recall that makes the news. Fortunately, most dealerships take recalls very seriously and will get your car repaired as quickly as possible. If your vehicle is recalled, be sure to take it to the closest dealership promptly so you can safely hit the roads again as quickly as possible.
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