Vehicle Recalls: A Motorist's Perspective
Toyota’s recent recall of more than 6 million vehicles in the United States for acceleration problems has focused a great deal of attention on the recall process. This has left many consumers wondering how recalls work, what is and isn’t covered in a recall, and what rights they have should their vehicle be recalled.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are recalled for a variety of reasons, ranging from minor issues covering a relatively small number of vehicles, to a single recall affecting millions. In the last decade alone, there have been no fewer than 10 major vehicle recalls covering at least 1 million cars and trucks each in the United States, and no manufacturer is immune.
How Recalls Work
Although vehicle recalls are relatively common, many consumers aren’t exactly sure how the process works. In most cases, they are initiated by the manufacturer without any prompting by government. Manufacturers will often discover a problem through their own testing, or from dealerships and service centers that have received complaints from vehicle owners.
A recall can also occur as a direct result of a government investigation into consumer complaints. Under U.S. law, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can require automobile manufacturers to recall vehicles that have safety-related defects, or those that don’t meet federal safety standards.
NHTSA can also order recalls of defective child safety seats and tires. NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) is responsible for conducting investigations into consumer complaints and administering safety recalls.
Consumer Complaints
Many recalls start as consumer complaints submitted to NHTSA and ODI, which are complied in a public database on NHTSA’s web site. If NHTSA receives multiple complaints about the same vehicle, it may open an investigation. However, it is important to note that there is no set number of complaints that the agency must receive before it opens an investigation, and each complaint is reviewed by technical experts to determine if a safety-related investigation is needed.
Other Defects and Recalls
Of course, not all defects are related to the vehicle’s overall safety. Non-safety-related defects include cosmetic issues like rust, or comfort items like air conditioning and sound systems. Manufacturers may also initiate “technical service bulletins” or “limited service campaigns,” which cover repairs for other non-safety-related vehicle problems. Vehicle owners may not be notified of these types of bulletins directly, so motorists should ask about them when they have their vehicle serviced.
In extreme cases, where a vehicle cannot be fixed after repeated attempts, consumers could be protected by “lemon laws,” which vary by state.
Manufacturers generally have three options to fix the defect:
- Repair the broken part or system (the most common remedy).
- Replace the entire vehicle with an identical or similar model.
- Refund the purchase price of the vehicle (sometimes allotting for a small amount of depreciation).
Manufacturer Obligations
When a recall is ordered, the manufacturer is responsible for notifying vehicle owners. Contact information is usually generated from vehicle titles or registrations. The manufacturer must also clearly explain the safety risks posed by the defective part, how the problem can be corrected at no charge to the owner and when the repair can be completed, as well as provide contact information for questions. Consumers never have to pay for repairs due to a recall and may even be eligible for reimbursement if they had the problem fixed before an official recall was issued.
Resources to Help Motorists Stay Apprised of Recalls
AAA members can utilize the AAA AutoManager™ tool, which enables motorists to receive e-mail notifications for manufacturer recalls, maintain electronic vehicle maintenance records and receive reminders about warranty and uto insurance expiration dates.
Non-members can utilize NHTSA’s recall notification email system, which enables motorists to register and receive e-mail notifications for manufacturer recalls.
If you suspect your vehicle has a defect, report it to NHTSA by calling 1.888.327.4236 or visiting www.safercar.gov.
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