Combat NHTSA vehicle recalls and defective product liability by taking appropriate action.
It may seem as though there are daily automobile safety recalls when reading news headlines. You could wonder if this indicates a decline in vehicle safety given the rising number of automobile complaints and affected autos.
The truth is that it depends on the type of car you drive—model, make, and year of manufacture. Older vehicles are the subject of several recent auto recalls, and recent years have witnessed some historically large recalls. One illustration is the ongoing Takata airbag recall.
Although headlines make large claims, they don’t go into much detail.
Knowing About Vehicle Recalls and How to Maintain Your Car’s Safety
What Does a Car Recall Mean?
Manufacturers can alert you that there is a risk of harm or property damage from your car by issuing a recall. Manufacturers are expected to address the issue after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues a recall after determining a safety risk exists.
Safety Errors
A safety flaw is an issue that:
- threatens the security of vehicles
- exists in a collection of automobiles that share the same design or maker.
Never be responsible for the costs of recall fixes, whether the manufacturer provides a refund, free repairs, or replacements.
A safety flaw has been discovered through the recall process if your tyre, car seat, or vehicle is one that is being recalled.
Process of Recalls by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The NHTSA establishes safety regulations in the US that keep your car secure. The NHTSA requires manufacturers to fix safety-related flaws at no cost to vehicle owners and drivers as part of its mandate.
As a result of the high costs of the components and labour required to remedy flaws, manufacturers may be reluctant to do widespread recalls. To ensure that safety-related flaws are fixed, the NHTSA, however, uses a recall procedure. Here is how it works:
Vehicle Complaints
Manufacturers may become aware of risks and voluntarily begin the recall procedure. The recall procedure is started for other manufacturers by the NHTSA or the courts. The latter can result from customer research. There are three ways to inform the NHTSA about a safety issue:
- Dial the USA. Vehicle Safety Hotline of the Department of Transportation: 855-485-3801 or 855-493-4530.
- Report the problem online here.
- Please send a letter. Department of Transportation Office of Defects Investigation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Investigation by ODI
The NHTSA may launch an investigation if there are sufficient reports of the same problems involving the same make, model, and year of the vehicle. The investigation for the vehicle recall will now be handled by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). The following is the investigative process:
- Review of customer complaints for screening purposes will help establish whether an inquiry is required.
- Analyzing petitions: Examining requests for defect investigations
- investigations into reported safety flaws are conducted in two phases.
- Management of Recalls: Assessing the success of Safety Recalls
NHTSA Announces a Vehicle Recall
Manufacturers are free to refute assertions and offer fresh data, but it is ultimately up to the NHTSA, or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to recall products due to safety defects.
After the recall is announced, information gets out and consumers are told what to do next. Customers are frequently required to schedule an appointment with their dealership in order to get their vehicle serviced.
You can sign up for notifications if you’re concerned about recalls but are unsure if your car might be affected.
Commonly Asked Questions Regarding Auto Recalls
Do I Need to Recall My Car?
Is my automobile safe, or is it the subject of a recall?
You’ll get a letter of notification if it is. Manufacturers are required to notify registered owners of an auto recall within a reasonable time frame within 60 days of informing NHTSA of the decision.
By clicking on this link, you may always sign up to get email notifications of NHTSA recalls.
To find out if your car is being recalled, you can also search the NHTSA database. You can do this by looking up your vehicle’s 17-character VIN number (VIN).
The answer to your question on which auto manufacturers are more impacted by recalls is that it depends on the make and model.
What Model and Make of Cars Are Recalled?
A study determined the manufacturers with the fewest and most vehicle recalls using information from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall database.
Top 10 Highest Recall Rates
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- GMC Sierra
- BMW 3/4 Series
- Dodge Durango
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Ram Pickup
- Toyota 4Runner
- Dodge Charger
- Chrysler 300
- Chevrolet Tahoe
Top 10 Least Recalled Cars
- Hyundai Accent
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Toyota Corolla
- Honda Civic
- Honda CR-V
- Honda Accord
- Subaru Crosstrek
- Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Elantra
- GMC Terrain
We are aware of the circumstances that lead to a recall, but which product flaws are deemed “safety-related” and are consequently under the NHTSA’s scrutiny?
Automakers and Product Liability for Defects
Common Flaws in Products That Are Seen as Safety-Related
- abrupt failures of steering systems that result in a loss of control
- broken or stuck accelerator controls
- wheels that deform or fracture
- seats that malfunction when used normally
- airbags that inadvertently open when they’re not supposed to
- Car seats with injury-risking safety belts, buckles, or other components
The majority of product flaws are not regarded as safety-related
- Equipment that experiences normal wear must be inspected, maintained, and replaced on a regular basis, such as brake pads.
- A lot of oil usage
FAQs about auto recalls
Who Has the Duty to Report a Safety Recall?
Vehicles and all factory-installed original equipment belong to the manufacturers. This means that it is their duty to warn owners of any problems, submit them to the NHTSA, and provide a free fix for the issue.
It is the responsibility of the equipment manufacturer to alert, report, and recall equipment that was not initially installed by the vehicle manufacturer.
To receive the right notifications, you must make sure that your vehicle registration is current, including your mailing address.
Use their vin number lookup to see if your automobile is included in the NHTSA’s list of recalls. On their website, Kelly Blue Book, or KBB, also offers a car recall checker.
Does My Car Need Repairs to Remain Safe?
Repairing safety flaws must be paid for by the manufacturer. You are entitled to reimbursement if you pay for any recall-related expenses, which may even include expenses incurred prior to the recall notification. Owners are entitled to reimbursement from manufacturers for any costs they incurred up to a year before a fault was reported.
Can I File a Claim for Any Injuries Suffered During a Vehicle Recall?
Yes, speaking with a recall attorney to discuss your legal options and compensation is the best plan of action. For a free consultation and to speak with a defective product lawyer right away, dial 11112222.