Are there any recalls for your vehicle?
Welcome to our Car Recall Center, where you can stay informed on important recall alerts and safety campaigns for all major makes and models sold in the United States, including Chryslers, Dodges, Jeeps, Rams and others. At Bryant Motors, your safety is important to us!
Car Recall FAQs: What You Need to Know
Where is my VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?
For some websites, to run a recall check you will need to know your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This can be located on the silver plate on the dashboard of your vehicle (front left of windshield by driver).
You can also find the VIN on your sales agreement, insurance documents and title.
Bookmark this page and save your VIN so you can continually stay updated on the latest recalls and safety campaigns affecting your car, truck or SUV.
What are the different types of automotive recalls?
There are two main types of vehicle recalls: voluntary and ordered. The first type, recalls by the manufacturer, occur when a carmaker voluntarily asks customers to take their vehicle to a designated repair shop for a safety inspection or to replace defective parts. These quality control recalls typically happen when the manufacturer independently discovers an issue and wishes to correct it.
The second type, recalls by the government, occur when an accident or investigation reveals a problem with the car’s design or manufacturing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gets involved and orders a manufacturer to issue a recall.
What should I do if my vehicle is recalled?
If you receive a recall letter or find out that a recall alert has been issued for your vehicle, it’s important you take the necessary steps to ensure you safety:
Step 1: Stay calm
Recalls are a lot more common than you might think. According to Consumer Reports, approximately one in every four cars on the road have been recalled. Experts say it’s not that cars are less safe than in the past; on the contrary, modern vehicles are safer than ever. It’s just that defect detection systems are highly advanced and can be picked up much more quickly.
Just because your vehicle is on a recall list doesn’t mean you are in immediate danger. Oftentimes, a recall is simply a precautionary measure. According to Kelley Blue Book: “In most cases a recall of your car does not mean that it is destined to breakdown, but rather that a problem in the manufacturing process has been identified in a number of similar models and therefore has the potential to surface in yours.”
Step 2: Confirm eligibility
The law requires manufacturers to send out letters to all car owners who are affected by a recall. If you are impacted, you should receive a recall letter in the mail which describes what the defect is, why it’s hazardous, potential warning signs, how they plan to fix the issue and instruction on what to do next. You may also check for recalls online.
Don’t ignore this notice! According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as many as 25 percent of car owners don’t respond to a recall. It’s important that you, the consumer, do your part by participating fully in recalls, which are always free safety fixes.
Once you know your car falls under a recall alert, you can determine if you are eligible for free repairs by considering the date of purchase. If it has been 10 years or less since you purchased the car from the dealer, then the automaker is responsible for repairing the problem, replacing the car or providing a refund for the purchase price of the car minus depreciation. If your car is over 10 years old, then you will have to pay for repairs out-of-pocket.
Step 3: Be patient
Automakers have a grace period to implement the recall repairs or give further instructions to consumers, so there’s nothing you can do but wait for additional information.
Step 4: Follow instructions
Once the manufacturer sends you a letter, follow the instructions they provide to remedy the issue. Most local dealerships will make the necessary repairs at no charge, regardless of where you originally bought the car.
If you have any questions or concerns about a recall, feel free to contact us so our experts can ease your worries and offer advice on how to make your vehicle safer.
Browse our blog to stay updated on the latest recall information, industry news and more.
Bookmark this page and save your VIN so you can continually stay updated on the latest recalls and safety campaigns affecting your car, truck or SUV. If you have any questions about a recall, feel free to contact us so our experts can answer your questions and offer advice on steps to take to make your vehicle safe.
Also browse our blog to stay updated on the latest recall information, industry new and more.
