What are my rights if my car is recalled? (2024)

FAQs

What are my rights if my car is recalled? ›

Under the law, if a vehicle recall has been initiated, consumers are entitled to the remedy without charge and within a reasonable time .

This claim would fall under product liability law, which holds manufacturers liable for any harm caused by defective products. As a result, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

According to the NHTSA, by law the manufacturer must choose one of three options for correcting the issue: Repair: The vehicle or part will be repaired by the manufacturer at no cost to you. Replacement: If the problem cannot be fixed, the manufacturer can provide you with another identical vehicle or a similar model.

NHTSA is the federal agency responsible for car safety and recalls. If you encounter problems with a recall and your dealership or manufacturer cannot help, you can always file a complaint with NHTSA.

Safety, Compliance, and Emissions Recalls do not expire. Affected vehicles remain eligible until the repair is completed.

The company must reimburse your out-of-pocket expenses if you pay for the repairs. Refund: The manufacturer will refund your purchase price, minus a certain amount for depreciation. Refunds are only available for car recalls. Manufacturers of car equipment are only required to repair or replace defective equipment.

The manufacturer has to prove that you-the plaintiff- received the recall. They can still be liable if they do not try to reach you directly. The distributor could also be liable if the manufacturer informed the distributor and the distributor did not notify the consumer.

Dealerships are prohibited from selling new cars with open recalls. Automakers are typically required to fix recall issues for vehicles up to 10 years old. So if you're buying a new car from a dealer, an open recall shouldn't be an issue because the dealer must resolve any issues before selling the car.

Vehicle manufacturers issue a recall on certain models if they have safety-related issues. An existing salvage or flood title and an expired recall date are some things that can void your vehicle's recall. Fuel system leaks, exhaust system issues, and electrical malfunctions can trigger a recall.

Dealerships take these unforeseen scenarios into account while valuing your used car and tend to offer a lower trade-in rate for vehicles with open recalls. Open recalls are often excellent excuses for some dealers to slash the resale price of your used car.

Can I get a new car because of a recall? ›

A recall does not mean you get a new car or get your money back. It means that whatever part is subject to the recall will be replaced or repaired for free - even if your warrnaty has expired. If the part is recalled, the manufacturer has agreed to fix it for free.

yes. It functions similar to a warranty repair. The manufacturer provides the parts, and pays the dealer a predetermined rate for labor. This rate is generally substantially lower than “customer pay” work, which can lead to delays in doing this work, particularly among less scrupulous dealers.

Ignoring a recall on your vehicle can cost you more than one way. Some examples are legal ramifications, injuries, higher insurance rates and claim denials.

If you do not want to replace the car, the manufacturer will give you a refund for the full purchase price. If the remedy is a free repair to fix or replace the defective car part, you generally do not have the right to return it or request a refund for your purchase.

Recall rights means the right to be offered an available position within the employee's teaching field or job classification before the position is filled by recalling another employee with the same contract status and less seniority or by hiring an employee not already employed by the Board.

Federal law imposes a "stop sale" on all new, undelivered vehicles and parts subject to safety recalls. Once a dealer receives a safety recall notice, affected new vehicles or parts may not be delivered until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.

Car insurance and vehicle recalls

An auto recall is the responsibility of the manufacturer, not your insurance company. Even if you're involved in a recall-related collision, your insurance company will likely make your manufacturer fork over the funds.

When a car manufacturer determines that a certain car make and model has a safety-related defect, they issue a recall by notifying the owners about the exact safety issue. The manufacturer usually offers free repairs to maintain positive customer satisfaction ratings.

A recall lets people who own the car know to take it to an authorized dealer or mechanic to have it fixed, and the automaker pays for it. Depending on the state, dealerships may be able to sell used vehicles with an open recall — but not new vehicles.

Complaints can be filed through NHTSA.gov or by calling NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.