Avoid Bodily Injuries by Staying Current on Auto Recalls

There’s been quite a few auto recalls recently in the news. From defective GM fuel pumps to potentially fire-hazardous power steering cords – you name it. Just recently Honda recalled 600,000 vehicles for a faulty power steering hose that has the potential of causing a fire with its leaking steering hose. To add to the list, Honda is recalling 820,000 Civic sedans to expand an earlier recall this year for a faulty headlight wiring system.
What’s not in the news as often is how many auto injuries are caused by these items where drivers have no direct knowledge of the recalled part. Even with all the news sharing, social media chit chat and supposedly direct notification from the manufacturer some people “don’t get the memo.” An earlier study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) pointed to the number of deadly accidents due to failure to fix a recalled part, saying the system for auto defect recalls is confusing and doesn’t serve the purpose 100% of the time.

One of the problems is that people who own a vehicle for the 2nd or 3rd time often have no way of knowing if a part on the vehicle has been recalled. The auto industry doesn’t have the same notification requirement for used car dealerships and second vehicle owners. The GAO says that has to change. The biggest problem so far is the auto industry’s lack of initiative and lack of oversight to complete the recall repairs within a timely fashion. Some auto makers are incredibly slow at completing repairs – sometimes only fixing as few as 25% of recalled vehicles.

Consumers should know that unless you register for notifications via a paper form or electronically, you may never hear about the recall. If you’re lucky you will see it on the news and check the website to see if your vehicle is affected, so it’s obvious why the current system is not a very effective one. If you are not the original owner of a vehicle, be sure to visit your vehicle manufacturer’s website and sign up for recall updates. It’s much easier to take a few minutes of your time to do that and know right away when your vehicle needs attention than having to go through serious injuries, legal battles and emotional distress.