According to the Los Angeles Times, there are about 253 million cars and trucks on U.S. roads. These cars are all various ages, sizes, makes, and models, with their drivers behind the wheel trying to make it to work and school as safely as possible.
But even if drivers follow all the safety rules, ensure that they are taking proper care of their cars, and anticipate any reckless drivers on the roads, they can still potentially be in danger due to faulty mechanics on their vehicle or another one on the road. In 2014 alone, there were over 40 million recalled vehicles in the United States.
A recall is issued to vehicle owners when a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire fails to meet minimum safety standards or poses an unreasonable safety risk. When a recall is issued, the manufacturer of the vehicles is responsible for repairing what’s broken, replacing it, offering a refund, or in some rare cases, buying back the car.
If you get notice of a recall on the vehicle that you own, what are your next steps? And how long do you have to get it fixed?
DON’T IGNORE THE NOTICE—TAKE ACTION
When you receive a notice that your vehicle (or a part of your vehicle) has been recalled, it can understandably make you nervous. Whatever you do, don’t ignore any vehicle recalls. Even minor defective parts on a vehicle can put you in danger on the road.
When you get a recall notice in the mail, be sure to read it carefully. It will likely tell you the following:
- What exactly is wrong with the car
- Any risks or injuries that the recalled part could cause
- Warning signs that the recalled part is affecting the vehicle
- How the manufacturer will fix the part
- When the repair will be available (and approximately how long it will take to fix)
- Instructions on what your next steps are
Note that you will NOT have to pay for any repairs when you have received a recall notice. All you need to do is make an appointment with the dealership so that the mechanics can fix the issue (or replace the vehicle if necessary).
Although you are strongly urged to fix the problem right away, you technically have up to 10 years after the sale date of the vehicle to fix the problem for no charge. There is one exception, however, and that’s for tires: You must make tire recall repairs within 60 days of receiving the recall notice.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Georgia that was caused by a faulty part that was recalled, you may be entitled to compensation. Don’t face this challenge alone—contact the Fry Law Team at (404) 948-3571 to schedule a free legal consultation.
