All posts tagged car recall

This year has brought its fair share of auto recalls, and this boom in recalls has been a cause for concern for many drivers. While some recalls have been a measure of extra precaution, there have also been accidents, and even deaths. As a driver, it’s scary to get a recall notice in the mail, or to see your same vehicle model on the news in a story about new recalls. While this is not a situation you want to be in, we see this happening more and more these days. 

That said, keep in mind that most recall notices are not for any serious problems. They are usually a way for car companies to prevent liability from the chance of something going wrong. The majority of all recall notices are non-serious, and are merely preventative. So the very first thing to do when you get that red-letter recall notice is to keep calm. Depending on the seriousness of the recall, you can probably still drive your vehicle without fear; however, you will want to act on it as soon as possible.

Call the Dealership

Upon receiving a notice of recall, the first thing you want to do is call the dealership. Find the dealership nearest to you that specializes in your model, and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If the recall is widespread, you won’t be the only person trying to get the same repairs done, and the early bird always gets the worm.

Are You Eligible for Free Repairs?

The law states that a car 8 years or older cannot be recalled; however, you can still receive a recall notice for a defective part. The only difference is that you will have to pay for the repairs. If your car is more than 8 years old, any repair costs will come out of your pocket.

Can You Get a New Car?

Sometimes, if the defect is serious enough, manufacturers will replace the entire vehicle. Or, if replacement isn’t possible, they may also opt refund the purchase price. See if you’re eligible for a replacement or reimbursement of your vehicle. All of these questions can be answered by a professional at the dealership, which is why this needs to be the first call you make.

What Happens If you are in an Accident?

If you get into an accident before the recall is announced, the manufacturer is not required to reimburse you. However, you can usually get restitution from the manufacturer even in this case. In some cases, you might need to hire legal representation in order to get some form of reimbursement or restitution—and this process will take time.

Time is Money, So Negotiate

You won’t have to pay for the repairs, of course, but the time it takes to drive your vehicle to the dealership, wait for the repairs to be done, and drive back home can interrupt your work or school schedule and ultimately cost you money. Ask the dealership if they can pick up your car and drive it back to your home, or if they offer a shuttle service.

Yes, recalls are frustrating and scary for everyone involved—drivers, manufacturers and dealers. Just keep in mind that the media often exaggerates these situations to make them look worse than they are. While it is true that some recall issues have led to injuries, losses, and even death, not every situation is this serious. By contacting your local dealer as soon as you hear of a recall, you can keep your family safe and get things taken care of. If you aren’t sure whether your car (or a part) is under recall, a simple internet search will help you get all the information you need.

The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Bachus & Schanker Law who specialize in car accident cases.