Your Guide to Vehicle Safety Recalls In Florida
Corbin Sutter
Recalls
It is important to stay up to date with all safety recalls when it comes to your vehicle so you can remain safe on the roadways at all times. Today, we will go through a quick guide to vehicle safety recalls in Florida, so you know more about the process and what you can expect.What Is a Safety Recall?
An initiated safety recall on a vehicle requires action by the manufacturer. They are responsible for announcing and remedying the defects. The recall is typically issued when the manufacturer or NHTSA determines that the vehicle or any component of the vehicle is creating an unreasonable safety risk, or it has failed to meet the minimum safety standards.
Is There an Expiration Date on Safety Recalls?
Generally, recalls like this do not have an expiration date. A recall will also transfer from one vehicle owner to another. So, if you buy a used car and later find out that there is an open recall, you can still get the repairs done, even if you weren’t the vehicle owner at the time the recall was announced.
Can You Check Recalls Online?
Yes. All you have to do is visit the NHTSA website. Once there, you can type in your vehicle identification number (VIN) and see if there have been any vehicle recalls for the past fifteen years. You can usually find your VIN on the driver’s side dashboard below the windshield and the door jamb on the driver’s side. It is also listed on your insurance and registration card for the vehicle.
What to Do in Case of Recall
If you learned that there is a safety recall on your vehicle, you need to contact the dealership right away so they can fix the problem in a timely manner. Most of the time, these recalls are done at no cost to you. Some recalls will announce a problem, but the manufacturer may not have issued a replacement part yet. You will receive a notice stating this and will be updated when new information about the recall’s solution is available.
Can I Continue to Drive My Vehicle?
The answer to this question is it depends. The recall notice will let you know if the vehicle is safe to drive or not. In rare cases, the manufacturer may give a do not drive warning. We saw this when they noticed the faulty Takata airbags.
However, if they don’t put out this warning, you can still drive the vehicle, but you should get it into the shop for repair as soon as possible.
How Long Does a Recall Repair Take?
Once the recall announcement is made, it can actually take weeks before you can get the repairs done. The dealerships need time to get everything they need before they can start. However, once this is done, the repairs will go pretty quickly. When you call to schedule your recall repair, ask the dealership about the timeframe so you know what to expect.
Are You Given a Rental Car?
Most car manufacturers will not provide consumers with a rental car in the event of a recall. It is not required by law for them to do so. However, you may occasionally see a manufacturer offer it, depending on the type of safety recall it is. If you want to be sure, it never hurts to ask if it is possible.
Now that you know what to expect, the recall process will go much smoother. If you have any other questions or you were injured due to a recalled vehicle, you will want to consult with a Florida personal injury attorney immediately to see if you have a case.