What is a vehicle safety recall and what to do if your car is recalled?

Since the federal government enacted the National Traffic and Motor Safety Vehicle Act in 1966 to establish and oversee safety standards for motor vehicles, more than 500 million U.S. vehicles have been recalled for safety defects. Recalls are increasing fast than ever, with the last few years seeing a substantial increase in safety recall rate, with 16.2 million vehicles recalled last year alone. Chances are, if you haven’t been affected by a recall before, you probably will eventually.

If you’re suddenly facing a recall, or unsure if your car has ever been the subject of a recall, don’t fret. The recall process is simple and repairs for the safety issue are always free of charge. This guide will explain what is a vehicle safety recall and what steps you will need to take to get your car back running safely. 

What is a vehicle safety recall?

A vehicle safety recall happens when a defective issue with a car or piece of car equipment like tires or child safety seats are found to pose a potential safety risk to the public. Either the vehicle manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will report and administer the recall for the safety defect or noncompliance with federal vehicle safety standards.

Most safety recalls are issued by the manufacturers, who typically realize defects through their own independent tests, but the NHTSA will get involved and issue the recall if the manufacturer fails to take action. With so much at stake in regards to brand loyalty and reputation, most manufacturers are quick to address safety issues. But it's nice to know the government has the consumer's back in case these manufacturers drop the ball. 

Once a safety recall goes out, the defect must be remedied without charge to the car owner. Ths means that any repair, replacement or repurchase of a vehicle subject to a recall will be done without any money coming out of your pocket. 

While most vehicle safety recalls are open-ended and can be done at any time during the life of the vehicle, you should have the recall work done as quickly as possible to ensure your full safety on the road. 

What are the most common reasons for a safety recall?

Engineering errors, both large and small, can cause a significant defect that can compromise driver safety and require a recall. These engineering errors are usually specific to models produced during a given time period at one manufacturing plant. So if a recall is announced for say, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, not every Grand Cherokee owner is subject to the recall. According to the NHTSA, these are the most common defects that threaten driver safety:

• Wiring or leaks that cause fire, as well as improperly placed gas tanks that are condusive to fire in the event of a collission. 
• Accelerators that break suddenly or unexpectedly increase speed. 
• Ineffective steering parts that may cause sudden loss of control.
• Air bags that deploy late or without reason.
• Falty seatbelts that break or have a tendency to false latch.

This list does not include recalls on tires, which are handled by the tire manufacturers, though sometimes the automakers are also responsible.  Remember the Ford Explorer and Firestone Tire controversy at the turn of the century?

How often do safety recalls happen?

The total number of safety recalls per years has climbed almost exponentially over the last two decades. Because of this growth, you might think carmakers are getting sloppier and cutting as many corners as they can to increase their margins, but they're actually being extra cautious to ensure they maintain their brand reputation in a fiercely competitive global market. As you can probably tell by the 2008 bailouts of the major American automakers, no car brand can risk losing the faith of the public. 

Over the past 20 years, more and more recalls have been voluntarily submitted by manufacturers without pressure from the NHTSA, with over two-thirds of recalls volunteered in 2012. This is due in part to stricter laws and heavier fines, but largely because automakers want to be seen as doing the right thing, being fully transparent to the public and never being perceived as trying to cover something up.

While the automakers' motivation may be mostly self-serving, it's certainly in the best interest of the public. Critics might say, however, that automakers are being too cautious and may even be calling for unnecessary recalls. But hey, it's better to be safe than sorry. 

How am I notified of a safety recall affecting my car?

Whether the auto manufacturer or the NHTSA submits a safety recall, an Official Safety Recall Notice is sent to vehicle owners at risk, typically identified through DMV records. The notice must thoroughly explain the following information to the vehicle owners: 

• The potential safety hazards that may result from the defect.
• How to fix the defect and eliminate the safety hazard, with a reminder that the repair is free of charge. 
• When the defect repair will be available, and how long it will take to be completed. 
• Who to contact if you have any difficulty getting the defect repaired for free. 

If in the event you did not get a Official Safety Recall Notice or you bought a used car and you are unsure if it had any previous recalls that might not have been fixed, you can contact a local dealer and they will let you know if there are any outstanding recalls. You can also check for recalls at Recalls.gov.

Remember, a safety recall does not mean your car is poor quality!

If your car gets recalled for a defect that could affect your safety, don't assume you purchased a lousy car. Recalls are meant to protect you and the rest of the general public from avoidable harm. New cars are made with a million moving parts, and mistakes are a part of life, even for the biggest automotive manufacturers. Recalls are meant to right these wrongs.

Sure, if your car is met with excessive recalls year in and out, maybe you bought a bad car, but that's not your fault. But it could be worse. If an automaker never issued recalls, they could be hiding potentially dangerous defects instead of fixing them!

If you find out that your current car is subject to multiple recalls, perhaps you'd feel more comfortable in a brand new car with a reputation for elite safety and flawless manufacturing. Use Buyerlink to find the best local price quotes on the safest new cars on the road, today!

Photo Credit: (1) NHTSA.gov (2) EJ Imageries (3) marc falardeau (4) BreakfastPirate via Compfight