What To Do If Your Car Has a Recall?
So you got a recall notice? What now?
First things first, stay calm. In 2021, 5% of all vehicles in the U.S. were under a new recall notice. In 2021, the NHTSA enforced 259 campaigns for recalls, which impacted over 21 million vehicles in the U.S. in some manner. (source: BANK RATE) That being said, it isn’t an uncommon occurrence, and most of the time it is an easy fix, or something you don’t have to go in for right away. Here are some simple steps to follow to get your car recall handled:
Firstly you'll want to verify that your specific car is affected in the recall. When recalls come out we see headlines plastered everywhere, but it's important to remember that just because it says “Ford Recalls 500,000 Bronco Sports' that does NOT mean they are recalling all the Bronco Sports. Manufacturers notify customers by mail but that process takes time and happens after headlines break- so the fastest way to find out if your car is recalled is to use this VIN recall lookup on NTSHA website.
Find your local authorized dealer for your car brand. Once located, get in touch with them to let them know your vehicle is affected by the recall.
Assess the severity of the recall. Ask your dealer if this is something you need to get resolved before driving the car or if it is something you can book an appointment for within the next month. It is likely they are getting a lot of calls, so you may have to wait up to a month or two.
If the recall is a serious safety recall, and a repair is not yet available, inquire with your manufacturer about getting a loaner car. While this isn’t always available, make sure to bring it up just in case they are offering it.
This might be obvious, but the repair will be and should be free of charge to you. If for any reason the dealer refuses to repair your vehicle in accordance with the recall letter, you should notify the manufacturer immediately. You can also file a complaint with NHTSA at www.safercar.com
Recalls can be alarming and scary, especially since we spend so much time in our cars as moms. It also doesn’t mean you chose the wrong car. We do our best to keep our families safe with the information we have on hand. More often than not, the recall will be a simple fix and you’ll be carpooling again before you know it!
