Worried Your Vehicle May Be Affected by a Safety Recall?

Last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 653 vehicle recalls due to manufacturing defects. These defects affected nearly 30 million cars. That is a lot to keep track of to keep you and your family safe.

How Do I Check Safety Recalls for My Vehicle? Once a vehicle is recalled due to a safety defect, the car manufacturer must notify registered owners by mail. However, that is not always reliable. By law, each on-road vehicle has a unique 17-digit number, known as a vehicle identification number (VIN). This number can be found on the bottom, left-hand side of your vehicle’s windshield. The VIN can also be found on your vehicle’s registration card. The VIN search checks for ongoing safety recalls, recalls from the past 15 years, and recalls issued by major vehicle manufacturers.

The VIN search will not cover completed recalls, international vehicles, some small, specialty vehicle brands, older recalls (more than 15 years old), and very recent safety recalls. This is due to NHTSA not having a complete list of affected VINs. NHTSA recommends checking for recalls twice a year. You can also sign up to receive email alerts when there has been a recall for your vehicle.

What Do I Do If My Vehicle Is Under Recall? If you have found that your car has been affected by a safety recall, contact your local authorized dealership. If you have received a letter from the manufacturer, bring it with you. If you do not have a letter, the manufacturer is still required to fix or replace the defect free of charge. NHTSA monitors each manufacturing defect recall to make sure those affected receive safe, free, and practical solutions.

What If I Have Been Injured Due to a Safety Defect in My Vehicle? If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident due to a manufacturing defect, an experienced product liability lawyer could help you seek coverage for your medical bills and/or wage losses. At Mike Love & Associates, LLC, we defend our clients aggressively in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Call us today at (936) 632-2000 to discuss potential next steps for your injuries.