In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued almost 900 safety recalls affecting over 55 million vehicles. Unfortunately, one in four vehicles that were recalled were never fixed, posing a risk to the driver, the vehicle’s passengers and everyone else on the road.

The NHTSA issues recalls when it is determined that a vehicle, a car seat or a tire does not meet minimum safety standards. When this is the case, the manufacturer is required to fix the problem, offer a refund, or in rare instances, buy back the vehicle.

How Do You Know If There Is a Safety Recall on Your Vehicle?

Most people find out about safety recalls when they get a notice in the mail. However, if you bought your vehicle from a private seller, there may have been a safety recall at some point that was not taken care of.

To make sure you have not overlooked a safety recall, it is a good idea to periodically check the NHTSA database of safety issues and recalls. On this site, you put in your vehicle’s VIN, which is found on your car’s registration and on your car’s windshield, the driver’s side door jamb or on the door itself, depending on your vehicle’s make and model. Once you have entered the number, the webpage tells you whether your vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

What to Do Next

If you get a recall notice in the mail, read the letter carefully. It describes the issue and outlines any risk that it poses or warning signs that you should pay attention to. It also gives you a timeline within which you have to schedule an appointment with a licensed dealer to have the issue taken care of.

In most cases, you are instructed to contact your local dealer and make an appointment for the necessary repair to be made. If you cannot get ahold of the dealer, then contact the manufacturer for help. If you cannot get through to either the dealer or the manufacturer, you can file an NHTSA complaint.

If your vehicle is less than 10 years old, the manufacturer must fix any defects for free. If you fix the issue yourself, you may be entitled to a reimbursement. If your vehicle is over 10 years old, then the manufacturer is not required to fix it for free, though they usually do anyway.

Protecting Your Vehicle with Nevada Insurance Enrollment

Making sure your vehicle is in safe, working order is only one part of protecting it and keeping it roadworthy. If you are in an accident or if your vehicle is damaged due to hail, a falling tree or vandalism, you want to be sure that you are able to pay for any necessary repairs.

At Nevada Insurance Enrollment, our auto insurance agents work with you to determine the level of coverage you need and to find a policy that you can afford.​