What You Should Know About Automotive Recalls
From time to time, we find ourselves curious about a topic and do some digging (we're contractually obligated to use this word in every post). So here, for your edification, the nectar of our mind grapes.
You may have heard that a lot of cars are being recalled recently. Like, a lot. So here's a bunch of things you should know about this mysterious process.
What Is A Recall?
If a car is discovered to have a defect, the automaker or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attempts to contact every single owner of that vehicle and request that they bring said vehicle to a dealership for a free inspection and possible replacement of the affected parts. This action is known as, you guessed it, a recall. Everyone with us so far?
Who Can Recall A Car?
There are two types of automotive recalls. In the first case, a manufacturer may voluntarily ask that customers return their vehicles for inspection and possible replacement of parts. Typically, this kind of a recall occurs when a manufacturer's quality control process becomes aware of a defect independently, rather than as the result of an accident or an investigation.
The second type of recall occurs when the NHTSA gets directly involved by starting an investigation of a reported problem. If the agency concludes that a problem demands a recall, the manufacturer must comply.
Why Are Cars Recalled?
A modern car is essentially a 3,000-pound metallic box of destruction, capable of moving at hundreds of miles an hour; even when everything is working properly, it's still incredibly dangerous. In fact, 33,561 people died on American highways during 2012.
Though cars are inherently dangerous, they must at least abide by U.S. safety regulations. A recall is only issued when a vehicle is found to be non-compliant with said regulations. To put it bluntly, if your tires are at risk of exploding at certain speeds, there will be a recall. If your radio has a tendency to receive only static, this probably won't merit a recall. Basically the government wants to keep you alive right up until the moment you have to appear before a death panel.
Smaller problems that may be annoying but that don't merit a national recall may be addressed by something called a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) and will probably be fixed the next time your bring your car in for normally scheduled service.
If you discover a problem with your car, report it to the NHTSA here. You may also want to inform your manufacturer as well. Complaining about it on the Internet is also a good option.
How Do You Know If Your Car Has Been Recalled?
If you own a car you should check your mail. Not everyone is going to text you about important things in your life.
If you're a digital person, you can register to receive email alerts about recalls that may affect your vehicle. You can also search for recalls here.
What Should You Do If Your Car Has Been Recalled?
In the event that you find out your car has been recalled, the steps are fairly simple. You will receive an Official Safety Recall Notice in the mail from either the manufacture or the NHTSA. This will provide:
•Details about the defect
• The risk or hazard posed by the defect
• Potential warning signs
• How the manufacturer will fix the problem
• Instructions on what to do next
This is not junk mail. Not all mail is junk mail.
Typically, you will be instructed to contact your local dealer to arrange for a repair. Remember to find out how long the dealer will need to keep your car and if possible, ask them to provide you with a courtesy car during that time. You shouldn't have to pay a dime for any service related to the recall. If the dealer tries to charge you, refuse and contact the manufacturer or the NHTSA directly at 1-888-327-4236.
If you have any further questions, please visit nhtsa.gov. Drive safe!
