Vehicle recalls, explained
What a safety recall is, how to find out whether your car has an open one, and what happens next.
A recall is issued when a maker or the government finds that a model has a safety defect or does not meet a safety standard. It sounds alarming, but it is the system working: the fix for a recalled part is made at no charge to the owner.
How to check your car
Every car has a 17-character vehicle identification number, known as the VIN. You will find it on the dashboard, visible through the bottom of the windshield, and on the driver’s door frame and your registration. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration runs a free recall lookup by VIN, and makers offer the same search on their own sites.
- Find the VIN on the dashboard or door frame
- Search it with the federal recall lookup or the maker
- Call a dealer for that make to arrange the repair
What happens next
If your car has an open recall, a dealer that sells that make carries out the repair. Call ahead, as parts may need ordering. Owners on file are usually mailed a notice, so keeping your address up to date with your registration helps the letter reach you.
Check again when you buy a used car, and every so often after. Recalls can be issued years after a car was built.
Buying used
A car can change hands with a recall still open. Searching the VIN before you buy takes a minute and tells you whether a repair is outstanding.
This article is general information, not advice about your own car. Follow your owner’s manual and ask a qualified technician about anything you are unsure of.
// Road notes
