Recalls. We’ve all been there before. You receive a letter stating a part of your vehicle has been recalled and begin to panic. You think to yourself, “A recall? What’s that? Is my car going to leave me stranded? Who is going to pay for this?” However, there’s no need to fret. Most of the time, recalls are not as challenging as they seem. This blog will help answer some common questions you may have.
What are recalls?
When your manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) determines that “a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards,” they issue a recall. The NHTSA is responsible for enforcing vehicle performance standards to reduce the negative impacts of motor vehicle crashes.
Recalls are extremely common. To put it into perspective, Sara Coleman at Bankrate found the NHTSA issued over 1,000 safety recalls in 2021, ultimately pertaining to over 35 million vehicles. Recalls correct various faults ranging from minor technical problems to potential fire hazards. Once the NHTSA issues a recall, it is up to the manufacturers to “fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases repurchasing the vehicle.” Your manufacturer will notify you of a recall via mail, offering an appropriate remedy. Ford Motor Company is required by law to mail recall letters to the last known registered vehicle owner (therefore, it is impossible to remove yourself from a recall mailing list). After receiving notice of a recall, your local dealership will fix said part for free.
Who pays for it?
The manufacturer is responsible for repairing any safety defects, free of charge to you. If someone tries to charge you for a recall repair, please report it to the manufacturer or NHTSA. There are instances where manufacturers are not obligated to fix specific safety issues, say on vehicles over ten years old or with 150,000 or more miles. However, select recalls, such as those for airbags, typically have no cut-off for manufacturer responsibility. Ultimately, we recommend discussing the recall with your local dealership to understand the specifications.
Can I still drive my vehicle if I have a recall?
It depends on the recall. Your manufacturer will let you know whether your vehicle is operable or, in serious cases, needs immediate attention. Nonetheless, you should always take a recall seriously, regardless of severity.
Does my vehicle have a recall?
If you have any questions regarding a recall on your Ford or Lincoln, please call us, and we will run your VIN. You can also check online by clicking here. It’s important to know of recalls applying to your vehicle. An existing problem may be an easy fix if there’s a recall you were unaware of. In the event you’ve previously had a repair completed that later turns into an issued recall, you may be reimbursed for it.
