There’s more to car ownership than oil changes and occasional new tires. In addition to the routine maintenance and repairs that needs to be regularly undertaken, you should be paying attention to recalls and how they may affect your vehicle.
If the recall is major enough, it will probably make the news, but it’s a great idea to check even if you haven’t heard about any recalls for your vehicle. To check if your specific model has a recall notice, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website is a useful resource. The website offers handy utilities to keep on top of vehicle recalls and a handy guide on what to do if you’re affected. You can even sign up for email alerts to know as soon as a recall notice is issued for your vehicle.
What are Vehicle Recalls?
A vehicle recall is issued by a car manufacturer when a vehicle has been identified as having a production defect that fails to meet safety standards. Vehicle parts affected can include: airbags, tires, car seats and other various equipment. The faulty part will either be repaired or replaced free of cost to the owner.
What Should You do if your Car is Recalled?
Manufacturers are obligated to notify owners of the recalled models. The recall letter details how repairs are to be undertaken by the manufacturer and the length of time needed. Instruction on the next steps is also provided. Usually the first step is to contact an authorized dealership/auto body specialist to schedule an appointed for repair work.
If you want to err on the side of caution the user-friendly NHTSA website provides valuable vehicle recall information as well as a search tool to identify whether your vehicle is affected by a manufacturer’s recall – simply enter your vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN). Information offered on the search tool is provided by each car manufacturer initiating the recall.
By ensuring you attend to the vehicle recall repairs is the best way on how to keep your car running well and in a roadworthy condition. As a reputable certified auto body repair specialist, Spectrum Collision can help you meet the demands of a well-maintained vehicle. Contact us today to find out how we can help should you be affected by a vehicle recall.
