How to Learn about Car Safety Recalls Online

Knowing about the latest car safety recalls is essential to keeping you and your family safe. Manufacturers can issue safety recalls for any number of reasons, and it's a good idea to be aware of any that have been issued for your vehicle. When considering a new or used car, check for any safety recalls that have been issued for the vehicle. The easiest way to do this is online.

What Is a Safety Recall?

A federal safety recall is when a vehicle manufacturer decides to notify all owners of a specific make and model of a defect that affects the safety of the vehicle or its passengers. Federal law requires auto manufacturers to notify owners of any recalls, as well as offer to fix the vehicle free of charge. Most people receive a letter in the mail when a recall has been issued. The letter should contain both a description of the defect and details of the risk posed. It should also contain the details of the free repair, and where it is available.

Safercar.gov

A much easier way to check on or be notified of recalls is checking safercar.gov. This government-run website allows you to search a database of recall notices by make, model and year. They also offer a complete listing of every recall notice issued since 1966, and you can sign up for email alerts that are specific to your vehicle. These alerts are also available as an RSS feed. Safercar.gov offers recall information on child restraint systems as well as car safety records and reports.

Car safety recalls can be issued at any time throughout a vehicle's lifespan, so it's important that you're aware of any concerning your car. While recalls can be a hassle, keeping up to date with the latest safety information is easy when you use safercar.gov.