The National Highway Safety Administration estimated that nearly 43,000 people died in car crashes in 2021, a 16-year high. And we know that almost all crashes are caused by human error. It’s a scary proposition to imagine what those numbers would be if the vehicles themselves were faulty. This is why car recalls are so critical.
Car recalls – as well as tire and child car seat recalls – help to ensure all vehicles on the roadways are safe to drive, thus protecting drivers, passengers, pedestrians and many others. Consequently, it’s important to be aware of – and adhere to – all car recalls. To help better understand the topic, we asked AAA experts for answers to all your car recall questions.
What is a car recall?
An automobile recall occurs when the vehicle manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a vehicle fails to meet minimum safety standards. The defect could include anything related to a component or material of the car, or in the car’s performance or construction.
As part of the recall, manufacturers are required to repair or replace the faulty component, or offer a refund. In very rare cases, the car will be repurchased for the owner.
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When a recall occurs, manufacturers are obligated to inform all registered vehicle owners of the affected cars. This is done through a mailed notification, delivered within 60 of the recall going into effect.
Car owners can also sign up with the NHTSA to receive notifications via email if there is ever a recall.
Can I do a car recall check online?
Yes, just visit the NHTSA website. There, you can type in your Vehicle Identification Number to learn if the vehicle has any safety recalls in the past 15 years that have not been repaired. VINs are 17-digit numbers unique to every vehicle. They can be found on the driver’s side dashboard right below the windshield and the driver’s side door jamb. It will also likely be on the vehicle’s insurance and registration cards.
This method is particularly useful and important if you plan on buying a used car, says AAA Car Doctor John Paul, especially if the car’s maintenance history is not readily available. “If you are buying a used car from a car dealer, check to see that any open recalls are performed before taking delivery of the vehicle,” Paul says. “If you are buying a used car from a private party, check the VIN and see if there are any recalls and have those repairs performed as soon as possible.”
How to Use a VIN to Check Car Recalls
My car has been recalled. What should I do?
Although it may be jarring to get a notification that there is something wrong with your vehicle, it’s no reason to fret – cars gets recalled every day. In fact, there were more than 1,000 car recalls in 2021, affecting roughly 35 million vehicles. The first thing you should do is call your local dealer to see when they can look at the vehicle.
The dealership should be able to fix the issue in a timely matter, and almost always for no cost. “Depending on the recall, some additional parts needing replacement due to rust or other damage that normally occurs with age may be your financial responsibility,” Paul says. Otherwise, the repair will be completely free. Once your vehicle is repaired, you can be on your way.
From time to time, you may receive a recall notice, but the manufacturer has not issued a replacement part or has no solution for the issue yet. “The notice will outline the problem and what you should do,” Paul says. “With some serious issues, they may recommend not driving the vehicle or not parking it in a garage.”
In this case, follow the interim safety guidance provided by the manufacturer and periodically check with your local dealer to see when the issue can be fixed. Under no circumstances should you ignore a recall. “Failing to get a recalled vehicle service could possibly endanger you and other drivers on the road,” Paul warns. “Some studies show that 20% to 30% of the vehicles recalled have never been serviced.”
Other Considerations
- As a general rule, car recalls have no expiration date. Additionally, they will transfer from one owner to another. If you buy a used car and only later discover an open recall, you are entitled to the repair even though you were not the owner at the time of the recall.
- Once the vehicle reaches 10 years of age, the manufacturer may charge a fee for the repair.
- A car recall does not signify the vehicle is of poor quality. It simply means that there is a defective or poorly performing component that needs to be replaced. It is not an indictment of the vehicle as a whole.
- Recalls are not the same as warranty extensions (sometimes referred to as secret warranties). In the latter, a part may be determined to not last as long as it should, and the manufacturer may extend the warranty on this particular part. As an example, Volkswagen sent letters to some owners of certain models that the ignition switch warranty has been extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles. This did not require the ignition switch to be repaired, so no recall was issued on the vehicle.
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My daughter has a 2014 Nissan versa note. She has been the only owner of the vehicle and doesn’t drive it rough etc. She’s always had it serviced on time at Nissan dealer where it was purchased. They never informed her of any recalls including one for severe transmission failure that also had a class action suit against regarding it. At just under 100k miles she brought it in after it had been parked for a few months while she was in another state.
After returning from her trip her battery was dead and her transmission slipped while getting on freeway. She took it in and had transmission flushed, and new spark plugs and new battery installed. After only about 1,000 miles since then her car stopped in the middle of the road and now only has reverse. After looking into the transmission issues and them knowing this i am upset nothing was said and it wasnt replaced under extended warranty because of the recall? Its awful that she just paid off a car that is now worthless all because they never informed her of this. Any recourse due to them never sending notice or informing her when car was serviced since it was at a Nissan repair shop.
We have an important recall. But around us, Honda dealerships are, IMHO, both incompetent and sleazy. When we get recalls done, it usually takes a 2nd visit to either finish it or undo the damage from the first. Plus, last time, we told them 1. we’re in a hurry – they said it would take an hour or two, 2. that we didn’t want ANYTHING ELSE done or looked at, that we had our own mechanic for that, 3. they came back 3 hours later with a long list of ‘urgent’ problems they wanted us to leave the car to fix at well over $2000. Beside our being livid, we went back to our mechanic, and he checked it all out – we had one thing that needed attention in about 6 months. So we’re afraid to get this urgent recall done.
I bought a 2017 KIA Soul (KS) Plus, first owner. On 01/08/23 my car popped, smoked, and loss power while on the highway heading back to my Duty Station in SC. After waiting for the engine to cool off, I discovered that I had an oil leak. Eventually I was able to get a tow truck and move my KS from GA back to a Kia service center in SC. I explained the situation to KIA and they instructed us to drop the car in their back parking lot. The next day I received a call stating that my engine has seized. They claimed us was probably due to the recall from 2021. The recall was for a “knocking engine”. Needless to say I never received a notification. Grant it, I am active duty and move around alot however my mail is forwarded and my contacts are still the same. KIA wants me to pay 8K for the engine, not to mention the cost of labor. Seems I’m going to need a lawyer
I have a 2017 Hyundai Tucson, recall 209 & 966. My engine seized with ZERO warning. It has been at a Hyundai Dealership since July 15, 2022. I have been 8th in line since Sept 3, 2022 with no movement in 11 weeks. I have filed a complaint with Hyundai Corp, NHTSA, my Attorney General’s Office. I have no rental because my car has not even been looked at yet, so until there is a “service ticket” I am left to fend for myself. I cannot afford a rental at $350 week, I would have already paid $3800 since July.
I don’t know what else I can do. I don’t know if there is a class action lawsuit yet on this matter but this is not the consumers fault but yet the consumer is left to just bite it. I’m literally at the mercy of the Hyundai dealership.
What else, if anything can I do?
My 2013 Infiniti QX56 that I bought in 2015 has a timing chain issue and is now at the dealership for repair. I just found out that there was a recall on it for the exact same issue back in 2016 but the dealership will not honor it, stating that the recall is expired. The cost of repair is $4000. Do recalls expire? Do I have any options? I need to know this before I am forced to pay for the repair.
Hi, thanks for the question! Here’s an answer from our Car Doctor, John Paul: Unfortunately, the timing chain repair was a voluntary service campaign not a recall. Service campaigns, unlike recalls, do expire. That being said, since there was a known problem with that part, it seems to me that Infiniti/Nissan should bear some responsibility. Perhaps call Infiniti customer service and see if there is some “goodwill” adjustment they can make. In many cases, this can result in a 50/50 split of the cost. The only other option is go to court under the “Right to Merchantability,” stating that with proper care, a timing chain should last the life of the engine.
I have a Honda Civic 2008 and recently while driving on highway it got overheated and engine stopped. Later i took to honda dealer and they did diagnosis and stated that due to no coolant the engine got over heated and requires replacement. I had checked with another mechanic and told of the hond dealer diagnosis and he said that this is known issue for hond civic for models of 2006 till 2009. I checked it online and it was correct. Then I spoke to honda dealer about the known issue and he acknowledged about it. Later I followed up with Honda Corporate and then with honda dealer. Now they are saying that to fix the issue I need to pay 50% of the cost which is coming to more than $5000.00.
I wanted to know if it is required by law for the honda to fix the issue free of cost or not.
Then they never conveyed me of the defect and so far I had been visiting honda dealer for all my services since 2008. My latest visit was in 1st week of august 2022.
Please let me know what do I need to do.
Thank You
Hi, thanks for the question! Here’s an answer from our Car Doctor, John Paul: Although this was a problem in 2008 and required a replacement engine, the repair was only covered until the warranty expired. The rationale I would think was that if the problem came up in the first 3 years of ownership, a new engine would be installed. After that time, the engine was assumed to not be one that had the issue. Now 14 years later, I would ask for documentation that you are in fact paying only 50%. If so, I would call that a fair conclusion.
I have case #9-8078060049. I was done dirty on a recall and nobody will help. I have been at this for years with zero results. The car is not worth repair after this period of time has passed. I have contacted every help line, e=mail and have run out of who to call. Will you help or not? I drove into the dealer that day in a perfectly good car that I was proud of and when I got home oil was burning under the hood. The dealer said no help would be offered on their part and refused my plees multiple times. I don’t know where to turn. No lawyer will take on GM and have all left me more puzzled than ever.
Hi Dan, thanks for reaching out. Our Car Doctor, John Paul, is going to reach out to you directly to provide assistance.
OEMs are now responsible for recall costs for 15 years (or 5 years for tires). The 15 calendar year requirement was increased from 10 calendar years as of December 4, 2015. PL 114-94, 2015 HR 22, § 24402 (December 4, 2015).
“Nonapplication.— The requirement that a remedy be provided without charge does not apply if the motor vehicle or replacement equipment was bought by the first purchaser more than 15 calendar years, or the tire, including an original equipment tire, was bought by the first purchaser more than 5 calendar years, before notice is given under section 30118(c) of this title or an order is issued under section 30118(b) of this title, whichever is earlier.” 49 U.S.C. § 30120(g)(1).
I recently bought a 2013 VW Tiguan with 84k miles. 3000 miles later I have engine failure due to crankshaft timing chain. I was recommended to get a new engine.
Reading online I discovered who owned a 2013 Tiguan Volkswagen vehicles could get up to $6,500 from a Volkswagen timing chain class action settlement. However, I was not an owner of the car in 2018, which it was the deadline and the owner at the time didn’t filed to participate.
Do I have any course of action? Thank you
Hi, thanks for the question. Here’s an answer from our Car Doctor John Paul: The failure is pretty well documented, and I believe VW may have extended the warranty on that engine to 10 years or 100,000 miles. The first place I would start is calling VW of America customer service. If you get no satisfaction, then perhaps take VW of America to court under a right of merchantability. Basically a product should perform as intended for a reasonable period of time.
I had a Ford Fusion with a recall due to Takata airbag ignitor could spontaneously discharge. I asked the
Ford dealer where I originally purchased it several times about fixing it. Every time I was told that unless
it discharged they had no current plan to fix it and they were only pro-actively fixing the ones in hot climate
states (I live in CT). When I privately sold the car I verbally told the buyer and gave them my recall letter. I
also chose NOT to buy a FORD as my new vehicle partly because of this leaving me driving a potentially
life threatening vehicle.
I have a 2002 honda civic. there was a paint recall on honda civic cars but i was informed my vin number not included in the recall. The paint started peeling in my car three years after purchase brand new took it to the dealer they said i needed insurance to cover that.
I had a recall related to an electrical problem — at one point in the vehicle, not in the engine compartment, a connection point could corrode possibly leading to a fire under the driver’s seat. (Ouch!) I followed through and the dealer performed the repair. Subsequently, I received another recall notice for the same thing. Scratching my head, instead of ignoring this notice, I called the dealer. Surprise! The original repair was only an inspection to make sure there was no corrosion, but NOT a repair of the problem! The lesson is to be very careful to respond to every recall notice, because there may be a new issue with an old problem!
Click Here:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Forgot to include URL link in the article…
We have a free app for all recalls that you should be documenting. Founder Wayne Merry
I was notified in August that my 2015 Ram Rebel pickup is subject to a driver’s side airbag safety recall. The airbag can spontaneously deploy and send shrapnel into the cabin. It is now December, and there is no fix for the defect. The dealership has not been apprised of any time frame for a repair. I filed a complaint with NHTSA. Is there any other recourse that I might pursue? Thank you
Hi Meredith, thanks for the question! Here’s some advice from our Car Doctor, John Paul: After doing some research you are correct there is still no fix for the side curtain airbag involved in the recall. At this point there is little you can do other than call both the dealer and Chrysler to see if they will reimburse you for a rental car until a fix has been verified. Even though the chance of something happening are very slight it would be nice to get it repaired. The other option, and I doubt if the dealer or Chrysler would authorize it, would be to disconnect the system. I doubt this would happen because the chance of the airbag working correctly and protecting you are much greater than an accidental deployment.
I recently got a Mercury Grand Marque a 1997 and now the intake manifold is leaking and I found out there was a recall on it, how long do recalls last, can I still get it fixed under recall?
My Acura 1999 has been broke down since 20 months ? I didn’t know what was wrong with car so I’ve been with out car and now plates out and insurance s also how do I fix this problem
Hi, my Chevy Equinox had a recall but they didn’t inform me. I found out about the recall because my vehicle was experiencing “symptoms”. I googled it and found it did have a recall. The dealership is telling me that the recall expired one month ago! Is this even possible? My vehicle is 2013 – not even 10 years old.
I HATE recalls because bringing my car to the dealer becomes a problem. For example, I brought my Accord in for an airbag replacement. I was told I didn’t need it but when I got my car back, I couldn’t close the hood. I NEVER had trouble closing the hood. They told me it would cost $368 to fix it. Another example is my older Accord had a recall on seatbelts. The dealer had my car for a day just to tell me it needed the repair. I made another appointment to have it fixed. After waiting a couple of hours, they said they had to keep the car because they didn’t have the part! (BTW, I continued to get postcards to have the airbag replaced.)
Maybe you should find a different dealer – I had an airbag recall for my Honda – maybe a few years ago – I took it in to my local dealer (on Route 10 in NJ) and they took care of it, no problem –
We bought a used car from Countryside auto in Holliston, MA. They said they sent it out to Nicks garage to get checked about a few rattles and noises. We asked them not to put a sticker on it because we wanted our mechanic to look it over.. A week later it was in at Brigham and Gill in Natick, MA to get a tie rod replaced as well as the AC. 10 days later AC knobs still not working and hearing the rattling sound even more. They even put it down on repair slip and it said “advised on request. 6 months later the car has died. Timing chain needed to be replaced and valve is bent. Not even paid for. A Nissan Juke 2011. So disappointing. Called Brigham and Gill and they said oh well to bad and hung up!! Got our money and said see you later.
IN SOME INSTANCES, THE AUTO MFG. WILL ATTEMPT TO PROLONG ACTION, NO MATTER HOW SERIOUS THE PROBLEM. IN THIS CASE, THE BEST THING TO DO, FOR PROMPT ACTION, IS TO CONTACT THE NHTSA AT 1-888-327-4236. IN ALL CASES, I WOULD CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. SOME DEALERS GIVE “LIP” SERVICE, WHILE NOT, DELIBERATELY, FIXING THE PROBLEM!