Setareh Law
June 23, 2025
When your vehicle has been recalled, understanding what to do next can save you time, money, and potentially your life. Car recalls are issued when a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies a safety-related defect in a vehicle. At Setareh Law, we regularly see clients who have been affected by defective vehicles, and we understand the importance of addressing recalls promptly. This guide explains everything you need to know about car recalls, from identification to resolution.
What Is a Car Recall?
A car recall occurs when a vehicle manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a specific vehicle model has a safety defect that could pose a risk to drivers, passengers, or others on the road. These safety defects might affect critical components like brakes, steering, airbags, or fuel systems. Once identified, manufacturers are legally required to notify registered owners about the defect, provide a remedy plan, and fix the issue at no cost to the owner.
Car recalls are surprisingly common. In 2022 alone, there were over 900 vehicle safety recalls affecting more than 32 million vehicles in the United States. These numbers highlight how important it is for vehicle owners to stay informed about potential safety issues with their cars.
How Car Safety Recalls Work
The recall process typically begins in one of two ways:
- Manufacturer-Initiated Recalls: Auto manufacturers conduct their own testing and quality control. When they discover a safety defect, they must report it to NHTSA and initiate a recall voluntarily.
- NHTSA-Ordered Recalls: The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) analyzes consumer complaints and manufacturer data. If they identify a safety risk that the manufacturer hasn’t addressed, they can order a recall.
Once a recall is initiated, manufacturers must: – File a public report describing the safety defect – Notify all registered owners by mail – Provide a free remedy to fix the problem – Report on completion rates to NHTSA
If a manufacturer disagrees with NHTSA’s assessment, they can challenge the recall order in federal court, though this is relatively rare.
Common Reasons Vehicles Get Recalled
Vehicle recalls happen for various reasons, but they all involve issues that could impact safety. The most common reasons include:
- Equipment issues (29% of recalls): Problems with steering systems, seat belts, door latches, and other critical equipment
- Electrical system failures (20%): Issues with wiring, sensors, and lighting malfunctions
- Powertrain problems (8%): Defects affecting engine, transmission, and related components
- Structural issues (6%): Problems with the vehicle’s frame or body
- Brake system defects (5%): Issues with hydraulic brakes or electronic stability control
- Airbag malfunctions (5%): Problems with deployment, inflation, or the presence of dangerous components
Recent years have seen a rise in recalls related to software issues, particularly in newer vehicles with advanced electronic systems and features.
How to Check If Your Car Has Been Recalled
Staying informed about recalls affecting your vehicle is essential for your safety and that of others on the road. While manufacturers are required to notify owners of recalls by mail, these notices can sometimes be missed, especially if you’ve moved or purchased a used car.
Using Your VIN to Check for Recalls
The most reliable way to check for recalls is by using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This 17-character code is unique to your vehicle and can be found in several locations:
- Driver’s side dashboard (visible through the windshield)
- Driver’s side door jamb
- Vehicle registration paperwork
- Insurance documents
With your VIN in hand, you can check for open recalls in two ways:
- Visit gov/Recalls and enter your VIN in the search tool
- Download the SaferCar app from NHTSA, which can continuously monitor your vehicle for new recalls
The NHTSA’s VIN lookup tool will show any unrepaired recalls from the past 15 years. It’s important to note that it won’t display: – Recalls that have already been completed – Recalls over 15 years old – Recently announced recalls that haven’t yet been assigned a remedy – International vehicles not sold in the U.S.
At Setareh Law, we recommend checking for recalls at least twice a year, or whenever you purchase a used vehicle.
Understanding Your Recall Notice
When you receive a recall notice, it contains critical information that you should review carefully:
- Defect description: Technical explanation of what’s wrong
- Safety risk assessment: How the defect might affect safety
- Warning signs: Symptoms that might indicate the defect is affecting your vehicle
- Proposed remedy: How the manufacturer plans to fix the issue
- Instructions: Steps to schedule the repair
- Urgency level: Whether immediate action is required
Some recalls are more urgent than others. If the notice indicates an immediate safety risk, you should contact your dealer right away to schedule repairs. For less urgent recalls, you might be advised that repairs can be performed during your next regular maintenance visit.
The Car Recall Repair Process
Once you’ve been notified of a recall affecting your vehicle, taking action promptly is important for your safety. The repair process is straightforward and designed to inconvenience vehicle owners as little as possible.
Who Pays for Recall Repairs?
The good news for vehicle owners is that recall repairs are completely free of charge. Federal law requires manufacturers to remedy safety defects at no cost to the owner. This applies regardless of:
- When the recall was issued
- Whether you’re the original owner or bought the car used
- Where you purchased the vehicle
There are some limitations, however. Manufacturers are only required to provide free repairs for vehicles that are less than 15 years old at the time the defect is determined. For older vehicles, while the recall technically remains open, manufacturers may not be obligated to provide free repairs.
If you’ve already paid for repairs for an issue that was later recalled, you may be eligible for reimbursement from the manufacturer. You’ll need to provide documentation of the repair and follow the reimbursement procedures outlined by the manufacturer.
How Long Do Recall Repairs Take?
The time required for recall repairs varies widely depending on the nature of the defect and the availability of parts. In general:
- Software updates may take as little as 30 minutes
- Minor component replacements typically take 1-2 hours
- Major component replacements (like airbags or transmission parts) may take several hours or require multiple visits
Unfortunately, widespread recalls can create parts shortages, leading to delays. During the Takata airbag recall, for example, some owners had to wait months for repairs due to the sheer number of vehicles affected.
If parts aren’t immediately available, ask your dealer about: – Estimated timeframe for parts availability – Whether your vehicle is safe to drive in the meantime – Possibility of a loaner vehicle for severe safety issues
Always request documentation confirming that the recall repair has been performed. This documentation can be valuable if you sell the vehicle later.
Major Recall Examples in Automotive History
Looking at major recalls provides context for understanding the recall process and its importance. These examples demonstrate how manufacturers and regulatory authorities handle widespread safety issues.
The Takata Airbag Crisis
The Takata airbag recall stands as the largest automotive recall in history, affecting approximately 67 million vehicles across 19 different auto manufacturers. Beginning in 2008, the recall extended through 2019 and continues to affect vehicles today.
The defect involved airbag inflators that could degrade over time, especially in hot, humid climates. Upon deployment, these defective inflators could rupture and spray metal fragments throughout the vehicle cabin, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
What made this recall particularly challenging: – The massive scale across multiple brands – Global parts shortages extending repair timelines – Varying risk levels based on geographic location and vehicle age – Difficulty reaching owners of older affected vehicles
Despite extensive efforts, the completion rate for this recall has reached only about 46%, highlighting the challenges in addressing large-scale safety issues.
Notable Manufacturer-Specific Recalls
While the Takata recall affected multiple manufacturers, other significant recalls include:
- Ford’s 1996 Ignition Switch Recall: Affecting 7.9 million vehicles, this recall addressed ignition switches that could short circuit and cause fires, even when vehicles were parked with the engine off.
- Toyota’s 2012 Accelerator Pedal Recall: Toyota recalled 7.4 million vehicles worldwide due to a defect that could cause accelerator pedals to stick, potentially leading to unintended acceleration.
- General Motors’ 1971 Engine Mount Recall: This early major recall involved 6.7 million vehicles with engine mounts that could separate, causing the engine to lift and interfere with throttle controls.
These examples demonstrate how even well-established manufacturers can face significant safety issues requiring extensive recalls.
What Happens If Your Car Can’t Be Fixed?
While the recall process is generally straightforward, complications can arise, particularly when parts aren’t immediately available or when the recall affects a large number of vehicles.
When Parts Are Not Available
During widespread recalls, manufacturers often implement staged approaches to repairs, prioritizing: 1. Vehicles in high-risk regions (for environmental factors like heat or humidity) 2. Vehicles with the highest probability of component failure 3. All remaining affected vehicles
If parts aren’t available for your vehicle, the manufacturer should: – Provide an estimated timeframe for availability – Offer guidance on whether continued use of the vehicle is safe – In cases of serious safety concerns, provide alternative transportation
Data shows that recalls with delayed remedies (over one year) achieve approximately 50% completion rates, compared to about 80% when remedies are available within 60 days. This highlights the importance of parts availability in successful recall campaigns.
Do Car Recalls Ever Expire?
From a legal standpoint, safety recalls never expire. If your vehicle has an open recall, you’re entitled to have it repaired free of charge regardless of how much time has passed since the recall was issued. However, practical limitations exist:
- Manufacturers are only legally required to provide free repairs for vehicles less than 15 years old at the time of the recall determination
- For older vehicles, parts may become difficult or impossible to source
- Some manufacturers may impose age or mileage limitations for vehicles more than 10 years old
It’s worth noting that approximately 1 in 5 vehicles on U.S. roads has an unrepaired safety recall. This statistic emphasizes the importance of checking your vehicle regularly for open recalls and addressing them promptly.
If you’re selling or trading in a vehicle, unrepaired recalls may affect its value and the ability to complete the transaction. Some states prohibit dealers from selling used vehicles with open recalls, though private sellers typically aren’t subject to the same restrictions.
Get Legal Help After a Car Accident Caused by a Recall Issue
Understanding car recalls is essential for keeping yourself and others safe on the road. By staying informed about recalls affecting your vehicle and promptly addressing them, you help prevent avoidable accidents and ensure your vehicle performs as safely as possible.
At Setareh Law, we’ve helped numerous clients who were injured due to defective vehicles and unaddressed recalls. Our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the complex legal issues surrounding vehicle defects and manufacturer liability. If you’ve been injured in an accident that may have been caused by a vehicle defect or unrepaired recall, our team can help you understand your rights and pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Beverly Hills personal injury attorneys at (310) 356-0023 or through our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation. With over $250 million recovered for our clients and a deep understanding of California personal injury law, we’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
