What is a Vehicle Recall?

Have you received a notice that your vehicle has been recalled? Or are you just curious to know how recalls work? Vehicle recalls are an important safety mechanism to ensure that automakers take steps to resolve serious defects that pose a risk to driver safety. After repair work, recalled vehicles can safely return to the road. At Meadowland of Carmel in Carmel, New York, we handle vehicle recall repairs and often get asked questions about the process. We’ve compiled a guide to some of our customers’ most common queries about recalls.

What Exactly Is a Vehicle Recall?

A vehicle recall is a decision by a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to bring a car in for urgent safety repairs at a dealership. Recalls are typically issued voluntarily by the manufacturer because it can be fined heavily if it fails to do so. The manufacturer may issue a recall after reviewing warranty claims or receiving information from NHTSA about consumer complaints.

Recalls will be issued using the vehicle identification number (VIN), which is usually on the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side. The manufacturer must write to all affected vehicle owners within 60 days of issuing the recall. Mail may not reach all owners, especially if you bought the car used or changed your address recently. That’s why it’s worth checking NHTSA’s website for relevant recalls by entering your VIN twice a year.

There’s no reason to be worried about your vehicle after a recall repair is carried out. Recalls are an important part of traffic safety regulations to help ensure that all cars on the road meet high standards. In rare cases, the issues raised by a recall may be so serious that the recalled vehicles must be scrapped. However, if this occurs, the manufacturer will repurchase the car from you so you won’t lose out financially.

How Do Vehicle Recalls Start?

There are two main ways that recall is initiated. The first is when a manufacturer responds to repeated safety issues with a component or equipment. For example, Toyota recalled several hundred vehicles after some dealerships complained about cars with cracked engine blocks that were leaking fluid. The company traced the problem to a failed water flow meter at one of its plants, which resulted in the engine blocks not cooling properly. Toyota issued a recall for the affected vehicles.

The other possibility is that NHTSA calls for a recall after conducting an investigation. Investigations are usually launched after the agency receives a large number of complaints about a specific problem. However, automakers have a strong incentive to take action themselves before NHTSA gets involved. The agency can fine a manufacturer up to $111 million if it repeatedly fails to respond to safety defects it was aware of.

Are Repairs During a Recall Free?

Yes, repairs on recalled vehicles that are 15 years old or less are typically covered by the manufacturer during a recall. The 15-year time limit starts when the vehicle is sold to its first buyer. Older vehicles may voluntarily be included in a recall by the manufacturer, but it isn’t required to do so by law. If you take your car to a dealership and it tries to charge you for a repair, you should contact your manufacturer and explain the issue.

Can I Drive My Car After a Recall?

That depends on the type of recall. In some of the most serious cases, manufacturers will issue a “do not drive” notice, which means you shouldn’t drive the vehicle until repairs are done. This may occur, for example, if defects in the braking system are detected. In other cases, you can drive your vehicle carefully and in essential situations. These could include driving it to the dealership for a recall repair.

Other recommendations or orders may also accompany recalls. For instance, automakers have previously issued warnings to park vehicles outdoors after a potential fire risk was detected in their manufacturing. This information should be provided in the letter from your vehicle’s manufacturer or mentioned on NHTSA’s website.

Can Vehicles Be Sold With a Recall?

It’s illegal to sell new vehicles subject to a vehicle recall. However, the same rules don’t apply to used cars. As a result, you’ll need to check the status of a used car before you purchase it. The best course of action is to make a note of the VIN and do a search for it on NHTSA’s website. If the vehicle isn’t subject to a recall, you should see a message explaining that there are no unrepaired recalls.

How Long Will Recall Repairs Take?

The length of time can vary considerably. Because a computer operates many parts of modern vehicles, some recall repairs can be conducted by owners simply by performing a software update. Others may take considerably longer, especially if many vehicles are involved. High demand for repairs by dealerships could result in parts shortages or delays in securing appointments. A delay may also be caused if a manufacturer issues a recall before a fix for the problem has been found.

Vehicle manufacturers aren’t obliged to provide a loan vehicle while recall repairs are carried out. However, it could be worth asking your dealership if a loan vehicle is available. It may be willing to provide one at its own expense if your repair takes longer.

More About Vehicle Recalls at Meadowland of Carmel

Now that you know a bit more about vehicle recalls, we hope you can understand how important it is to check regularly for any notices related to your car. If you need a recall repair, you can rely on our professional service and parts teams at Meadowland of Carmel in New York. We have the tools and know-how to perform auto repairs to the highest standard, and we’ll also be happy to answer any questions you may still have about the recall process. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more.