What You Should Know About Vehicle Recalls

Learn how to deal with a car recall.

Your car is important to you; it gets you from point A to point B, and more often than not, you are highly dependent on it working properly. But when your car or an item of motor vehicle equipment is a safety risk to you, your passengers, or other motorists, it can be recalled.

Luckily, we’re here to handle all of your vehicle recall queries!

What is a recall? 

When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determines that a car or item of motor vehicle equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety requirements, the manufacturer is required to fix the vehicle or equipment. This can be accomplished by repairing it, replacing it, or offering a refund for equipment.

How will I know if there’s a recall? 

Typically, auto manufacturers send letters to customers affected by the recall. If you don’t receive a recall letter, you can search through the current safety recalls on the NHTSA’s website here as it is updated when the letters go out.

What do I do if my car is recalled?

When you receive a notification, follow any safety guidance provided by the manufacturer and contact your local dealership. They will fix the recalled part or portion of your car for free.

What if my car isn’t recalled now? Could it be recalled later? 

Yes, manufacturers are required to notify owners by mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. Just because your car isn’t recalled now doesn’t mean that it won’t be later on down the road. It’s important to stay up to date with safety requirements and standards!

Will the problem be fixed? 

The NHTSA monitors each safety recall ensuring that the manufacturers provide owners with safe, free, and effective remedies. If you believe that the problem still exists, contact the NHTSA.

While you tend to your car’s recall, take a look at your auto insurance to determine if you have the right level of coverage for your vehicle. From your family to your finances, car insurance helps to protect your life.

Visit the experts in the industry at Abbate Insurance, serving New Haven and Connecticut, to secure the right auto insurance policy for your needs. Contact us to get started.