NHTSA Released a User-Friendly Recall Lookup Dashboard
Jane Lu
· 3 min read
Vehicle recalls
are common, and you might be worried that you’ve missed a recall notification somehow.The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) recently released a user-friendly recall lookup tool. The new online dashboard is easy to use and allows car shoppers, vehicle owners, and anyone else to search a massive database for car recalls.The car safety data has always been there, but users previously had to download large files, according to
WPRI.com
. The dashboard allows you to sort and filter data easily and quickly. You can search for information on your vehicle by keyword and also export data in many formats.The tool makes it easier to check the recall status of your vehicle. Here are some of the other benefits of the new tool and what to do if your vehicle is recalled.
Vehicle recall trends
Auto manufacturers don’t always get everything right, and some issues only become clear after a car has been released for a while. After newer models are driven for a longer period of time, consumers may notice safety flaws.
If many drivers report similar problems, and NHTSA determines that a car model has safety defects, the manufacturers typically issue a recall. Over 13 million vehicles were recalled in the first half of 2020 due to chronic issues, as reported by
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What are the benefits of the new dashboard?
MORE: New Law Would Ban Selling Used Cars With Open Recalls
The new
online dashboard
allows you to search NHTSA's large database for vehicle recalls up to 50 years back. The dashboard supports the display of data in easy-to-understand charts and graphs. It’is also updated daily, ensuring that the information you get is always reliable.You don't have to be tech-savvy to use the tool. You can use filters like "Manufacturer" and "NHTSA ID" with drop-down options to narrow down the data.
What to do if your vehicle is recalled?
Vehicle recalls might not be related to major issues, but it’s still good to know what to do if your car is recalled.
You will typically receive a recall letter that contains information on the defect, risks involved, and warning signs. It also describes how the problem will be fixed and tells you what you should do next.
The steps will usually include booking an appointment with your local authorized dealer to make necessary repairs. You should take the recall letter with you when you visit your dealer.
Who pays for recall fixes?
Recalls keep consumers protected, and the manufacturer is responsible for any costs related to repairing an impacted vehicle.
However, there are limitations to getting a free repair for your recalled vehicle according to
NHTSA
. Your vehicle can’t be more than 10 years old when the defect is determined. You should consider paying for the repairs if your car is older than this to make sure it’s safe to drive.Jerry
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