Car makers do all they can to make sure that the vehicles coming out of their assembly lines meet national and international safety norms.
However, as cars are becoming more complex and packed with a bunch of technologies, it is natural that the chances of some issues going unnoticed have increased by several folds.
Additionally, problems within a vehicle can also arise well several years after it has left the assembly line.
To ensure that their customers remain safe while driving their vehicles and that their overall global reputation does not get tarnished, vehicle manufacturers often issue voluntary vehicle safety recalls for the cars they offer.
The sections below will enunciate what a vehicle recall is and why it is an important part of the global automotive sector.
Let’s begin.
What are vehicle recalls?
The process initiated by a vehicle manufacturer when a safety issue is identified in vehicles manufactured during a particular model year(s) is known as auto recalls.
Vehicle recalls by manufacturers are initiated so that vehicle issues are solved in a bid to keep motorists safe and the overall image of a vehicle manufacturer intact.
Who enforces vehicle recalls?
Car recalls are enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which is a part of the US Department of Transportation.
Are vehicle recalls serious?
Yes. Vehicle recalls should be taken very seriously by vehicle owners. Driving a vehicle that has outstanding recall notices is dangerous. The ideal vehicle owner refrains from ignoring vehicle recall notices.
How long do vehicle recalls last?
Technically, NHTSA recalls do not come with an expiration date. However, vehicle manufacturers can choose not to sort out issues with vehicles that are more than 15 years old from the date they were sold by vehicle dealerships.
Do vehicle recalls expire?
Long story short, no! Vehicle safety recalls do not expire. However, OEMs can choose not to sort out issues with a vehicle that is more than 15 years old.
Can you check recall data for your car?
Yes, a recall check can be initiated by visiting https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. The recall lookup is a service offered on the official website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - a part of the US Department of Transportation.
What is the process of a car recall?
The process of a car recall is as follows. OEM finds out about a safety issue with their cars. Then they notify vehicle owners via snail mail, calls, or e-mail. The notification can be in the form of recalls by VIN or a generalized one. The vehicle owner(s) then book an appointment at the nearest OEM-authorized service center. The problem with the car is fixed and paid for by the OEM.
Why do OEMs recall vehicles and why recalls are so important?
A vehicle recall is initiated by vehicle manufacturers to keep their overall image intact.
Additionally, vehicle recalls help keep people, roads, and vehicles safe. Furthermore, if left unchecked, underlying safety issues within a vehicle can lead to life-altering injuries or even the death of a car owner. And when this happens, a vehicle manufacturer can be sued, compelled to pay fines to national or international authorities, and even lose clients to the competition!
Additionally, underlying issues within a modern vehicle cannot be fixed by vehicle owners. Modern cars are pretty complex and are not at all DIY-friendly. Hence, if you are one of those car owners who like to fix their cars by themselves, refrain from fixing your car that has been recalled by its manufacturer. You might end up exacerbating the problem and even end up risking your life and the lives of others.
Who pays for car recalls? The owner or the OEM?
The short answer is no, as a vehicle owner, you would not have to pay a penny when your vehicle is being fixed at the service center after it has been recalled by its manufacturer.
As per the law, when a vehicle is being recalled by its manufacturer, the OEM can repair the issue but cannot ask for a single penny from the vehicle owner. If this is not possible and the problem cannot be fixed, then the OEM would have to replace the problematic vehicle with a similar or identical model. If none of these solutions can be implemented by the OEM, the manufacturer can refund the entire purchase price of the vehicle.
For the best results, as a modern vehicle owner, develop the habit of using a real-time car tracker to ensure your vehicle’s overall condition is in its prime.
What are the common reasons behind a vehicle recall?
Vehicle recalls are initiated by OEMS for several reasons and some of them are as follows.
Issues with the steering system
Even the best vehicle tracker can’t help a car owner navigate a tricky road if the steering system of their vehicle is acting out. If an OEM detects that their cars are having steering system issues, a voluntary recall will be initiated by the manufacturer. Possible problems with a vehicle’s steering system can be with, but not limited to its stabilizers, wheel assembly, control arms, suspension bushings, etc. Whatever may be the issue, the problem will be fixed by the OEM service center free of cost.
Leaking fuel tank or fuel lines
Do you often witness that even after preplanning your routes with an OBD 2 tracker, your vehicle is consuming fuel excessively?
Maybe your vehicle’s fuel tank and fuel lines have leaks or its fuel pump has hidden issues. Poor welding of the fuel tank or poor positioning of the fuel lines could lead to leaks. Additionally, a less powerful fuel pump could also be the culprit. Irrespective of the case, if recalls are issued for vehicles similar to the one you own, take the car to the OEM-authorized service center as soon as possible.
Issues with the braking system
So, the connected car GPS tracker of your vehicle has been coughing up vehicle health reports highlighting your car has issues with its braking system. However, even after bleeding the brake lines and replacing the brake pads, the issues remain in your car. In the meantime, your car manufacturer chose to initiate a recall drive for a vehicle similar to yours citing issues with their brakes. Jump on the opportunity and get your car fixed free of cost.
Issues with the wire harness
You have been trying to plug in a car tracker device that you like into your car’s OBD port for a while but the device never powers on. You thought that the device was to blame however that is not the case. Perhaps, the issue lies with the wire harness of your car. Maybe the OBD 2 port of your vehicle is not even properly connected to the rest of the car. Troublesome news, right? If the OEM of your vehicle has issued a voluntary recall citing issues with the wire harness of similar vehicles like yours, take the recall notice seriously and get the car fixed without spending a penny.
Issues with the airbags
One of the most important safety mechanisms in a modern vehicle is its airbags. If you notice that the in-dash airbag indicator notification lamp is illuminated and doesn’t go away, then it is confirmed that your vehicle’s airbags are faulty and might not even deploy when the time comes.
Additionally, the airbags may even deploy on their own when you are simply getting groceries. If the manufacturer of your vehicle has figured out that this is a common issue among the batch of vehicles whose part your car is as well, then they would issue a recall notice. Use your preferred car tracking device and head on over to the nearest OEM service center to get the problem fixed.
Recalls are pretty important – keep an eye out for them
Vehicle recalls are important. They help keep motorists safe and vehicle manufacturers in business. If recall notices for your vehicle are ever issued, take the car to the authorized service center and get it fixed. Don’t delay. That is the way of the wise!