Benjamin Franklin once famously said, “There are two things in life that are unavoidable — death and taxes.” If Ben was around today, he surely would have added vehicle recalls to the list.
Each year, countless vehicles are recalled to fix a variety of defects. From faulty air bags to engines that suddenly stall, there’s no shortage of defects that can create dangerous driving conditions. No matter the size or scope, all recalls should all be addressed in a timely matter upon notification to minimize dangers to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
The NHTSA only issues recalls due to safety concerns, however, recall notices can have a variety of causes. Many recalls involve a simple part replacement, but some may call for more advanced repairs. While the NHTSA has certainly issued its share of recalls over the years, the vast majority are usually initiated by auto manufacturers, which can face steep fines for failing to disclose any defects to their vehicles.
When the NHTSA or the manufacturer decides that a vehicle creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety requirements, the manufacturer is required to make the needed repair at no cost to the owner of the vehicle. In some cases, a refund (for equipment) will be provided. By enforcing vehicle performance standards and partnerships with state and local governments, the NHTSA reduces deaths, injuries and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes.
For those in the trucking industry, big rig recalls can be particularly daunting due to the potential dangers that can ensue if the problem goes unchecked. And just like the smaller vehicles they share the road with, heavy-duty trucks are not immune to their share of recalls each year. So far, in 2022 hundreds of thousands of these vehicles have been impacted by filed recalls.
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