What is a car recall?

A car recall is a safety action taken by the vehicle manufacturer when a defect or problem is identified that could impact the car's performance, safety, or regulatory compliance. When a car recall is announced, it typically means that the manufacturer is calling back vehicles to fix or replace faulty parts at no cost to the owner. These defects can be anything from faulty radio wiring to loose lug nuts. When a certain model receives a recall, its owners are notified by mail, email, or phone. However, only 75% of recalled vehicles are brought for repairs.

Understanding what a car recall means is important for keeping your vehicle safe on the road. Car recalls aren’t uncommon and play a key role in ensuring that manufacturers uphold safety standards in the automotive industry.

Let’s explore more in depth what a car recall is, and how to be sure that your car is safe to drive?

Who issues safety recalls?

While the process of initiating car recalls is similar across regions, it can still vary depending on the country and its regulations.

For example, in the US, car recalls are typically initiated by vehicle manufacturers or by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while in Europe, besides a car manufacturer, a recall may also be made by:

• A regulatory authority, such as the European Commission, if it identifies safety-related defects through its regulatory and monitoring mechanisms.
• National authorities in member states that work in collaboration with regulatory authorities to ensure that recalls are carried out effectively and car owners are informed.
• Consumers can influence the recall process, reporting potential risks to regulatory agencies and manufacturers. However, the decision whether to make a recall is made only after thorough investigations conducted by mentioned parties.

If a vehicle is part of a recall, the manufacturer is obliged to fix the defect free of charge. To see if your vehicle is affected, you can use tools like a car recall check (also known as recall checker), which help you stay informed and ensure your car is safe to drive.

When do recalls expire?

In general, car recalls do not have an expiration date and can be transferred from one owner to another. The issued recall remains in effect until all affected vehicles have been repaired or replaced (if the problem cannot be fixed), regardless of how much time has passed.

There’s an exception for tires, though – tire-related recalls are only valid for sixty days after the date of issue.

If you’re unsure whether your car is affected by a recall, you can use a car recall check to find out. Performing a car recall lookup will give you detailed information about any safety recalls for your vehicle. Regularly doing a car recall search can ensure you stay up-to-date on potential safety issues. A recall checker is easy to use and provides peace of mind by ensuring your vehicle is safe and compliant.

Can dealers refuse to fix recalls?

When a safety recall is issued, it means the manufacturer has acknowledged a fault, and authorised dealerships are legally obliged to fix the issue at no cost to the vehicle owner.

However, there are certain circumstances where a dealership might try to charge you or even refuse to fix a recall. This could happen if your car is more than 15 years old or has sustained significant damage, such as from a flood.

Before visiting the dealership, it's always a good idea to perform a vehicle recall check to confirm your eligibility for repairs. If you believe the dealership is wrongfully refusing to address a recall, contact your vehicle’s manufacturer or regulatory authorities to report the issue. A recall check can ensure you're fully informed before taking further action.

Some recalls are vital

While most recalls are all about vulnerable materials and software problems, some manufacturers have faced more serious issues over the years.

In 2016, the Volkswagen emissions scandal has shaken the automotive world. A German motor vehicle manufacturer tweaked the diesel engine software to achieve 40 times lower emissions during testing. When the truth was revealed, Volkswagen was forced to recall 11 million vehicles and cover an eye-watering expense of €15.7 billion.

Back in the 2000s, Ford had to recall almost 15 million cars, trucks, and SUVs due to faulty cruise control switches that tended to prematurely wear out and short-circuit to the point of causing fires.

Another well-known incident happened in the '90s. A rubber tread on some Firestone tires was prone to separate from the underlying steel belt at high speed and in hot climates. This led to unexpected tire explosions and rollovers of Ford SUVs. Now, manufacturers use the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to avoid under-inflation events.

Get a vehicle history report to learn about recalls

Manufacturers send recall notices only once – to the current vehicle owner. If you have bought a car from someone who didn’t take care of a recall, you may not suspect anything. Sometimes, vehicle owners may not even know that their car can accidentally catch fire, lose a wheel, or have a defective airbag.

Considering the importance of the recall, you shouldn’t overlook it when buying a used car. Instead, find the vehicle identification number (VIN) and perform a car recall lookup to reveal any registered car recalls. You can explore carVertical’s sample report to understand what kind of information you can expect to find in the history report.

carVertical’s report includes a safety section that shows information about recalls if available. It may also provide additional information, including the issue date, recall number, and description. A thorough car recall search ensures that you’re aware of any outstanding safety issues.

Additionally, vehicle history reports can show safety ratings from leading car safety assessment programmes, such as NHTSA, Euro NCAP and ANCAP.