From defective airbags to overheating batteries, millions of Americans drive each day in cars with open safety recalls that, if ignored, could have fatal consequences. In 2024 alone, there were 1,073 vehicle safety recalls affecting more than 29 million vehicles in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
For Vehicle Safety Recalls Week (March 2 – 8), AAA is reminding drivers that safe cars save lives and urging all vehicle owners to check for open safety recalls. It’s also a good time to check related equipment, like tires and child car seats, for open recalls.
It’s easy to determine if your vehicle has an open recall:
- Visit NHTSA.gov/recalls or download the SaferCar app.
- Enter your VIN and registration card number. The VIN is located on the driver’s side corner of the windshield.
- You can also enter vehicle equipment like trailers, tires and car seats into the SaferCar app.
If you discover an open recall for your vehicle or vehicle equipment, contact a dealership and schedule a repair as soon as possible. All safety recalls are performed at no cost to the owner.
The millions of recalls that go unrepaired can compromise safety. For example, the NHTSA reports that tens of millions of defective Takata airbags — responsible for 28 confirmed deaths nationwide — are still under recall in the United States. In 2025, there were 891 recalls affecting more than 29 million vehicles, according to a AAA Northeast analysis of NHTSA recall data. Of those, 16 recalls were dangerous enough for the NHTSA to issue “Do Not Drive” advisories for 48,371 potentially affected vehicles.
“Components like airbags, steering systems, brakes, fuel systems, sensors and wiring can prompt vehicle recalls, posing a serious safety risk,” said Jillian Young, director of public affairs for AAA Northeast. “Addressing vehicle recalls as quickly as possible can help drivers keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely, and, most importantly, save lives. Drivers should check their vehicles for open recalls at least twice a year.”
The NHTSA is also issuing a new, urgent warning to drivers of cars that had previously been involved in a crash in which the airbag deployed. Nine people have died and two others have been seriously injured in 11 crashes where the vehicle had an airbag replaced with a substandard and dangerous airbag inflator manufactured in China. According to the NHTSA, the airbags were likely illegally imported into the United States; fatalities occurred when the airbag inflators malfunctioned and ruptured, sending large metal fragments into drivers’ chests, necks, eyes and faces.
Alarmingly, these dangerous airbags will not show up by checking the VIN for open safety recalls. The following vehicle owners are at risk:
- Owners of vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles.
- Owners of vehicles that were in a previous crash where airbags deployed.
- Owners of used cars with unknown history.
The NHTSA is urging these owners to look at their vehicle history report for evidence of a previous crash or “total loss event,” prior airbag deployments, a salvage title or repairs performed at non-certified service centers. Visit NHTSA.gov for more information and resources.
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
