Learning The Basics Of Car Recalls

Hundreds of problems can occur within the parts that should otherwise make your vehicle run properly. The transmission can fail, the engine might stall, the alternator may malfunction; each component carries the potential for going bad. Sometimes, it happens as a result of normal wear and tear. Other times, it’s due to maintenance neglect. Now, let’s set those things aside for a moment and consider vehicle recalls.

Occasionally, car manufacturers make mistakes. Faults in design or production can cause certain components to fail; they can impact safety during collisions; they can dramatically reduce a vehicle’s performance. When this happens, the automaker will issue a recall. In this article, we’ll take a brief look at what they are, how they work, and what you should do when they’re issued for your make and model.

What Is It?

They’re not complicated. If there’s a major problem with a vehicle (for example, the air bags aren’t deploying consistently), a recall is issued and owners are informed of it through the mail. Those owners can then take their cars to the dealer to have the problem fixed.

How Does It Happen?

It’s nice to imagine that automakers would be proactive if they know there’s a problem in one of their vehicles. Unfortunately, they often need a little prodding. Here’s how the process typically works…

A bunch of people begin noticing that their cars are having a specific problem. Some of those folks call the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to lodge a complaint. Over time, the NHTSA identifies a trend and starts an investigation. If they can reproduce the problem consistently, they’ll release their test results and contact the automaker. If the manufacturer doesn’t issue a recall, the NHTSA will.

What Should You Do?

As noted above, if a recall is issued for your make and model, you’ll be notified through the mail. You’ll receive an official notice from the car manufacturer or the NHTSA. That notice will contain specific instructions regarding the steps you’ll need to take in order to have the defect repaired. In nearly every case, you won’t be responsible for paying for the repairs. That’s the automaker’s job; after all, it was their mistake that led to the problem in the first place.

It Can Happen To Anyone

Your car might handle like a dream and perform like a stallion. But, that doesn’t mean a defect isn’t hidden in the morass of parts and systems under the hood. The truth is, a recall can be issued for any make and model that is less than 8 years old. If you receive one, follow the instructions contained on the official notice to have the defect remedied.

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