How to Check if Your Car Has Been Recalled
Learning if your car has been recalled and having it repaired is a straightforward process.
Determining if a Car Recall Applies to You
CNET has published a list of steps to take in order to find out if a recall applies to your vehicle. While automakers do use various methods to notify owners, there is more you can do to stay informed about car recalls.
CNET recommends first finding your vehicle identification number (VIN), a seventeen-character code that can be found behind the lower driver’s side corner of the windshield. The VIN can also be found in various other places, including your insurance or vehicle registration card.
Car owners can then visit the recall page of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website and perform a search using their VIN number. If a recall applies to your car, CNET recommends contacting your local dealership as soon as possible for a free repair. If necessary, your car can be towed in order to avoid serious safety problems.
Vehicle Recall Information
- According the NHTSA’s vehicle recall summary by year, there were a total of 11,723 vehicle recalls from 1996 to 2016.
- 927 recalls occurred in 2016, the highest annual rate listed in the report.
- 9,788 of the recalls from 1996 to 2016 were were defect-related, while 1,935 were compliance issue-related.
Contact an Experienced Vehicle Recall Attorney
Drivers have enough to worry about while traversing the roadways on a daily basis. When a person gets behind the wheel of a car, there is a reasonable expectation that the car is going to perform in a matter that would not put the operator’s life in jeopardy. Unfortunately there are hundreds of vehicle recalls each year due to manufacturer defects, from the tires to the ignition switches, that can cause catastrophic injuries and in some cases death. If you or a loved one have been injured due to a defective part in a vehicle, contact Thomas J. Henry.
Our experienced defective vehicle lawyers have handled a multitude of injury claims caused by recalled vehicles. We continue to handle cases involving faulty and dangerous GM ignition switches and Takata airbags. Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Call us today for a free legal consultation — our attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends.
