When it comes to driving a vehicle, safety is of utmost importance. The manufacturer of your vehicle understands that. When issues with a car that creates a safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer will issue a recall notice and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will monitor the recall process.
What is a Recall?
According to the NHTSA, “A recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards. Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases repurchasing the vehicle.”
What Does a Recall Mean to Me?
Recalls are VIN-specific and may be identified by specific build dates within a model year, assembly plant or other factors. When a recall is determined, the last owner on record will be notified by mail. When you become aware of a recall, schedule an appointment with your dealer as soon as possible.
How Do I Find If My Car Has a Recall?
You can find out if your vehicle has a recall by checking with the NHTSA.
- Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Enter the VIN
- The VIN is a 17-character vehicle identification number.
- You can find the VIN on the base of the driver-side windshield and the driver-side doorjamb. You may also find your VIN on your vehicle’s registration card and possibly your insurance card.
If a recall notice pops up, be sure to contact your dealer to schedule an appointment for the repair needed.
Are Recalls Free of Charge?
Repairs in a recall announcement will be done at no cost to the owner. If you paid for a repair before receiving the notification letter, you may be eligible for a refund. Check with your service advisor for assistance.
Do Recalls Expire?
Recalls that involve safety, compliance and emissions do not expire.
Where Can I Get My Recall Done?
Your recall must be done by an authorized dealer.
Can I Get a Rental Car While My Car is Getting Fixed?
Depending on the recall, you may be able to get rental benefits. You can discuss the details with your service advisor.
How Can I Keep Up with Recalls?
You can sign up with the NHTSA for email notifications. You can also download the Safecar mobile app for iPhones and Androids.
What Can I Do if I Find a Safety Problem?
Keeping our roads safe is very important to the NHTSA. If you come across a safety issue with your vehicle, you can report it directly to the NHTSA. The problem will be reviewed. If you are unable to submit the information online, you can call 888-327-4236.
Keep in mind that whether you have a new Ford or you purchased a used vehicle, safety recalls can happen and the NHTSA website will show you vehicle safety recalls for the past 15 calendar years. Before purchasing a used vehicle, it is recommended that you check for recalls that might be open for the car you want to buy. If you want us to check recalls for you, feel free to stop by our Wendle Ford Service Center and our staff will research it. If we discover an open recall for your vehicle, we can schedule an appointment to fix it. Safety is very important to us and we want to be sure that you and others on the road are kept safe.
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