When an automaker puts out a recall, it is usually because they have determined there is an issue with the equipment that poses a safety risk. When a recall is issued, manufacturers are required to send a notice to registered owners within 60 days.
Michael Rosenstein, a lemon law lawyer Los Angeles, has information for vehicle owners on how to find out whether their car has been recalled, and what to do if it has.
Why Do Recalls Happen?
When an auto recall is issued, it potentially affects millions of cars. In 2020, the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted over 900 recalls that impacted around 55 million motor vehicles. A recall is issued when the automaker or the NHTSA notices a pattern of similar issues that are leading to injuries.
Reasons that safety recalls have been issued include problems with:
- Brakes
- Electrical components
- Tires
- Door latches
- Seat belts
- Fuel pumps
- Ignition switches
- Airbags
- Accelerators (gas pedals)
- Windshield wipers or windows
- Steering systems
This is not a complete list of reasons a vehicle might be recalled, but it does highlight some parts that can be defective. When these defective parts show a pattern of leading to injury or death for a consumer, a recall will be issued.
Car Makers with the Most Recalls
A lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles can recognize the vehicles that are most likely to be subject to recalls. According to data tracking automakers with the highest recall rates between 2014 and 2018, the top five included:
- General Motors
- Ford
- Chrysler
- Mercedes-Benz
- Volkswagen
Conversely, the data shows that there were automakers that experienced the least recalls during that same period with Tesla experiencing the fewest.
How to Know If Your Car Has Been Recalled
By law, car makers must contact car owners directly to notify them about a recall. A manufacturer can obtain mailing information from the registration database in your state. Because recalls happen as the result of safety issues, your mailing address must remain current with your state vehicle registration office. Each recall notice contains the following information:
- A detailed explanation of what caused the defect
- Instructions on how to have the issue addressed
- Information about where you can take your vehicle to be repaired
- Contact information for the manufacturer if you have more questions
If you have heard about a recall that you think might have affected your vehicle, there are other ways you can check to see if your vehicle has an active recall. The following are internet resources that you can use to check for recalls:
- The National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration
- com
- Kelly Blue Book
To learn if your specific vehicle has been affected by a recall that has been issued, you will need your vehicle identification number (VIN). This is a 17-digit number that can be found in the following locations:
- Your vehicle registration paperwork
- Your insurance card
- The bottom corner on the driver’s side of your windshield
To learn if your car or truck has been recalled, you can go to one of the above websites. Simply enter your VIN to find out whether your vehicle has been affected.
What to Do If Your Vehicle Has Been Recalled
If you receive a recall notice, or you search online and discover a recall, you should get your car repaired as soon as you can. Call a dealer or an authorized repair shop to make an appointment. They will be able to work with the manufacturer to make the process as easy as possible for you.
If the recall is announced within 10 years of the original purchase date, you won’t have to pay for the repairs. If your car is older than that, it still may be worth it to pay to have the repairs made in order to protect your safety.
How Can a Lemon Law Lawyer in Los Angeles Help Me?
The California lemon law protects consumers from getting stuck with a vehicle that is known to have many defective issues. If you have had several issues with your car and you learn that it also has been recalled, you may have a lemon. A lemon law lawyer in Los Angeles can help you decide how to proceed. Your safety may depend on it.