In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued nearly 900 safety recalls affecting more than 55 million vehicles or their parts. Startlingly, only 75% of these recalls were ever fixed. That means 25% of the unfixed ones potentially put you, your passengers, and others on the road at risk.

On behalf of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the NHTSA, our team would like to remind everyone to take a few minutes to prepare your vehicles for summer travel by checking for potential recalls.

How to Check for Recalls

Every recall is serious and should be taken care of immediately. It is quick and easy to check for recalls—plus, getting the problem fixed is free to you. Here are three steps you can take in order to check for recent recalls:

1. Find Your VIN Number. This 17-digit number is unique to your specific car and can be found on the lower left of your windshield or on the label inside of the driver’s doorjamb. You may also be able to find the VIN on the vehicle’s registration or insurance card.
2. Search Your VIN. You can search your vehicle’s VIN at www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. This will tell you whether there is an open recall for your vehicle and provide information about how you can get it fixed.
3. Get Your Vehicle Repaired. If your car does have a recall, you should immediately get it fixed for free at a local dealership by following the instructions provided to you. Again, your car manufacturer is required to offer this repair for FREE.

How to Stay Informed

Motorists should take proactive steps by checking for vehicle recalls at least twice a year. They can sign up for alerts that will send future recalls directly to their phones. The NHTSA offers a SaferCar app that you can download on your phone for recall information as well.

If your car’s manufacturer did, in fact, issue a safety recall and your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is obligated to notify you and provide a free repair. However, if your vehicle has been taken in for repairs unsuccessfully several times, there is a possibility that you have a lemon and are entitled to a buyback or replacement vehicle under California’s lemon laws.

At Norman Taylor & Associates, our Los Angeles lemon law attorneys have been advocating for consumers since 1987. We have recovered more than $140 million on behalf of our clients, and we will work hard to ensure your legal rights are protected as well.

Please contact our firm at (818) 244-3905 to learn more. We offer no-fee, no-obligation consultations, so you have nothing to lose by making the first step!