New Way To Search For Vehicle Recalls

Vehicle recalls seem to be a regular staple in the news these days. Recalls are made to improve the safety and quality of vehicles and to prevent accidents. Whether the recall be for something minor or major, it is always important to make sure that your vehicle is up to current safety standards. Many times the car manufacturers offer recall repairs at no cost to the car owner. However, it can still be difficult to keep up with what seems like a constant stream of recalls.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be making the task of checking vehicle recalls more simple. The NHTSA just passed a regulation requiring all automobile and motorcycle manufactures to create a free online tool that allows consumers to check for recalls by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This VIN search should be available by August 2014. The regulations require information to be updated on a weekly basis. This tool will allow instant access to all recall information and to see which recalls have been fixed on their specific car. This is particularly helpful to anyone who purchases a used car. Currently, car owners can check recalls by make, model, and year of a car on www.safecar.gov to see what recalls have been issued.

This new tool will not only make it easier for current vehicle owners, but it will also be helpful for buyers. When buying a new or used car, it is important to have all of the facts available to make the best purchasing decision. Knowing what recalls need to be repaired on a car and which repairs have been made should help buyers make a more informed decision.

The NHTSA hopes that making it easier to check on the status of recalls will help improve road safety. Making sure that your vehicle is up to date on recall repairs is a step towards protecting you and your loved ones on the road and in the event of an accident.

Source: NHTSA.com, “NHTSA to Provide Free VIN Search to Help Consumers Check Cars, Light Trucks and Motorcycles for Uncompleted Recalls;” Karen Aldana, August 14, 2013.