vehicle safety recalls

Could the vehicle you’re driving have a safety recall issued that’s putting you at risk?

Safety recalls can involve the brakes, steering, seat belts, airbags or another component. And the repair is free, even if your vehicle is no longer under warranty.

Dealerships receive payment directly from the manufacturer, not from customers.

If the dealership recommends other services to maintain the safety and performance of your vehicle while you’re getting the free repair, you are under no obligation to purchase any additional services.

What if your vehicle is running just fine. Well, that may be one of the most dangerous misconceptions about recalls. Many critical parts of a vehicle may appear fine but fail when needed, sometimes with catastrophic results. For example, a defective, recalled Takata airbag is dangerous during a crash, possibly launching metal fragments towards occupants inside the car when deployed. Recalls specifically address these hidden dangers that can threaten lives even when everything seems normal.

Anyone can bring a vehicle in for a recall repair without question. No title, proof of ownership, or documentation is required. A parent can bring in their teen’s car, adult children can help elderly parents, or neighbors can assist each other. Dealerships only need basic contact information to notify you when the repair is complete.

A dealership may also ask for your contact information to notify you of any recalls that could be issued for your vehicle in the future. You don’t need to provide any information you aren’t comfortable sharing, but it would allow the dealership to keep you informed so you can maintain the safety of your vehicle.

can verify any recall notice by checking your vehicle at CheckToProtect.org or contacting your manufacturer or dealership directly. Official recall check platforms like CheckToProtect.org use your license plate and VIN solely to match against recall databases, similar to how you’d use a product serial number. The minimal information required to check for recalls poses no privacy risk, but not checking could pose a significant risk to your safety.

Right now, 57 million vehicles in the U.S. have an open safety recall. That means 1 in 5 vehicles on the road may have a serious defect that hasn’t been repaired.

How can you check for any recalls on your vehicle:

1. Go to CheckToProtect.org.
2. Enter your license plate number or VIN into the lookup tool. You can also upload a picture of your license plate or VIN. You can find the VIN on your dashboard, driver’s side door, or insurance papers.
3. If your vehicle has an open recall, call a local authorized dealership to schedule your free recall repair.

You don’t need to be the owner. You don’t need to pay.

It’s fast, free, and could save a life.