How To Find If Your Vehicle Has A Recall

We know the feeling, the hole you feel in the pit of your stomach the second you hear “new car recalls.” We’ve all been there. But, knowing about these recalls can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs that go unnoticed until it’s too late. Whether it’s an issue with an airbag, seat belts or engine, it’s important to address the issue immediately to prevent further damage or an unexpected accident.

What exactly is a recall?

A vehicle recall is issued when a vehicle manufacturer of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a car does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard or has a safety-related defect.

Some of these safety-related defects could be:

- Failed fuel system components that could result in a gas leak and cause a fire in an accident.
- Gas pedal that breaks or sticks.
- Seats and/or seat backs that fail unexpectedly during normal use.
- Wiring system problems that could result in a fire or loss of lighting.
- Faulty airbags.
- Car ramps or jacks that may collapse.
- Important vehicle components that break, fall apart, or separate from the vehicle that could lead to loss of vehicle control or injury.

Manufacturers will cover the vehicle recall repair costs for any safety-related defects.

How do I check if my vehicle has a recall?

When a manufacturer announces a recall, they are required to notify each vehicle owner of the recall by mail, email or phone. The manufacturer will tell you where to take your vehicle and what to do next, but typically you’ll need to contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a recall repair.

However, if you’re like one-third of the recall letters mailed to vehicle owners and discard the mail due to thinking its junk mail, there is another alternative for checking your vehicle.

Step 1: Find your vehicle’s identification number (VIN). Every car has a unique, 17-character identification number that is typically printed on the lower driver’s side corner of your windshield or driver’s side door.

Step 2: Go to NHTSA website (www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) and search for recalls using your VIN. If you don’t have access your VIN, you can also search by your vehicle’s make, model, and year to see if there are any open recalls.

M&L Truck Service Cares About Your Recall

While we may not be able to service the actual repair from your manufacturer's recall due to their requirements, we certainly care about all of our customer’s vehicles' well-being. When you bring your vehicle into our shop, we have the ability to check your vehicle for any manufacturer recalls and will pass this information along to you. Whether it’s preventative care, recall information, or light-, medium-, to heavy-duty auto care, we’d love to assist you. Give us a call today or use our appointment request form to schedule your next appointment.