Kelley Blue Book Recalls (2024)

FAQs

How can I tell if the recalls have been done to my vehicle? ›

Visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls and enter your VIN.

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.

Some may take an hour or two, whereas others will take a few days. In some extremely rare cases, an automaker may buy back or replace your entire vehicle. However, this usually happens only if there is a defect that cannot be repaired.

The seller may handle the repair for the used car recall for you. Recall laws vary by state, which means dealerships in your area may be legally required to make repairs before selling you a vehicle. That said, independent sellers are not required to repair used cars with an open recall under federal law.

Safety, Compliance, and Emissions Recalls do not expire. Affected vehicles remain eligible until the repair is completed. Other types of vehicle programs, called Customer Satisfaction Programs, typically have expiration dates and/or mileage limitations.

File a complaint with NHTSA

Report the dealership's refusal to address the recall to the NHTSA through their website or hotline. The agency monitors compliance with recalls and can take steps to enforce corrective actions.

Is it Legal to Sell a Car With an Open Recall in California? Dealerships and private sellers are permitted to sell used vehicles with open recalls. In addition, they are not legally required to make repairs — a buyer of a used car with an open recall would be able to have the defect fixed for free.

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.

However, if it can be proven you did not receive a recall notice, the automaker could be held liable for failing to notify you or not initiating the recall in a timely matter.

Can I return a car that has a recall? ›

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.

A car recall, for instance, will typically involve repairs to fix any issues, and consumers are unlikely to be offered the option of a refund in that case. However, food recalls frequently include a request for the customers to return the product to the place of purchase, where they will be issued a refund.

Ford Issues the Most Car Recalls Annually

No car manufacturer is immune to recalls, but Ford has statistically been the company that has the most recalls annually. They've ranked highest for vehicle recalls for several years, including 2022, with a whopping 8.6 million cars recalled in total.

With only 0.2 lifetime projected recalls, the MINI Convertible leads the industry with the least-recalled cars. In addition to MINI and Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Audi are among the least recalled cars. Tesla's entire model line occupies four of the top seven most recalled vehicles.

Recalls.gov. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation provides recall information including vehicle and equipment campaigns from 1966 to present.

Vehicle owners do not have the luxury of choosing their recall remedy. The car manufacturer determines this. Typically, the only remedy available is to get your car, motorcycle, or SUV fixed by the local dealership. This is true for both new and used vehicles.

If consumers had a problem with their car, you'll know. To find recalls and TSBs for your vehicle, go to the NHTSA site and click on RECALLS found across the top of the menu. This will take you to a page where you can enter your car's 17-character Vehicle Identification Number.

Plug in your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or license plate info, and Carfax can tell you instantly – for free – if your car has any unfixed recalls.

Sometimes, an auto manufacturer realizes that there is a defect with one of their vehicles. Instead of sending recall notices to buyers, the company sends consumers a bulletin offering to repair the issue or replace the part. They shroud this silent recall in the form of customer service or courtesy information.