More than 1 in 5 vehicles on the road today has an open recall.
Does yours?
Thankfully, there is a free and easy way for you to find out. Go to CheckToProtect.org and simply enter your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the search bar.
Within seconds, the site can let you know whether your vehicle has a safety defect that could put you or your family at risk. If you do have an open recall, then you can immediately schedule a free (yes, free) repair at a local, authorized dealership.
All it costs is a little bit of time. That’s a small price to pay for keeping your family safe.
Vehicle recalls are nothing new, but they have reached record highs in recent years. A recall is issued whenever a defect is found within a vehicle that could put the driver and or passengers at risk.
One such example is the Takata airbag recall, which has affected tens of millions of vehicles.
Tragically, more than two dozen people have died because of these defective airbags, which can explode and send shrapnel flying into drivers or front-seat passengers. The risk of malfunction increases when these faulty airbags are exposed over time to heat and humidity.
Think about your own community: Do your summer months turn hot and humid? It’s best to check your recall status now and schedule a free repair before another sweltering season arrives.
Part of what makes the Takata airbag recall so massive is that many rival automakers used the same type of airbag in their vehicles. You could be at risk whether you drive a Dodge, a Ford, a Chevrolet, a Toyota – the list goes on. It is not limited to a specific year, make or model.
Other types of recalls can pose problems, too.
In some cases, steering wheels can loosen or detach while driving. Or faulty latches can cause doors to open while the vehicle is in motion. Or front seat belts can fail because they are not properly attached.
No one would want to expose their loved ones to these types of risks.
Automakers do their best to notify vehicle owners about recalls, but it is not always the easiest process. If you’ve moved, the notification might go to your previous address. If you bought the vehicle from someone else, the notification might go to the previous owner.
Or the notice might simply get lost in a pile of other mail.
That is why it is important to be proactive and search your recall status rather than waiting for a notification to arrive. By going to CheckToProtect.org and entering your VIN, you will get an up-to-date report on your recall status.
As a reminder, all recalls are free to repair.
This year, March 8-12 will be Vehicle Safety Recalls Week across the country. If you’ve been putting off that recall repair, this is your week.
As military members, you’ve done so much to keep us safe. Make sure your car is keeping you safe.