The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) new rules announced on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 governing vehicle safety recalls, according to the New York Times . Vehicles that have been subject to a recall will now be searchable by VIN number through a manufacturer’s database, and such databases must be updated at least once per week. These new rules are aimed at ensuring compliance with getting recall repairs made before a vehicle is resold, since a new owner would not have been informed about a vehicle or motorcycle’s recall status. Let’s discuss why the NHTSA put this rule in place, how it could affect your ability to sell your vehicle, and what a qualified auto body repair shop can do to assist you.
The rule is meant to make driving safer. Despite the importance of safety recall repairs, a study from the NHTSA discovered that only 70% of vehicles required to be repaired by manufacturer recall guidelines are actually being repaired. Even when manufacturers engage in notification means like contacting owners directly, such as Toyota did when they discovered issues with unintended vehicle acceleration, rates for recall repairs only rose to 80%. According to the New York Times, the NHTSA believes being able to check for vehicles with uncompleted recall repairs will reduce the amount of safety defect related crashes and even deaths.
This new rule could affect your ability to sell your vehicle, motorcycle or recreational vehicle if you have uncompleted recall repairs. Despite the fact that you were unaware your vehicle was in need of a recall repair, a potential buyer who has your manufacturer’s database checked based on your vehicle’s VIN number may become concerned about the maintenance of your vehicle and view it as a safety risk, perhaps rightfully so, even if you have personally taken exceptional care of the vehicle.
A qualified auto body repair shop can assist you in ensuring that your car has all necessary recall repairs completed in a timely manner. Auto body repair shops are often familiar with the rules necessary for reimbursement of recall repairs, including the times limits on reimbursement if you have the defect repaired before the recall, or even after a potential recall hits the news, but before official recall notices are sent out. The database tracking necessary recall repairs by vehicle VIN numbers can actually assist you, and you can ask your qualified vehicle maintenance professional at a trusted auto body repair shop of your choice to check the manufacturer’s database to make sure you haven’t missed any recalls the next time you take your car or motorcycle in for maintenance.
This new federal rule from the NHTSA can make it easier to track recalls necessary for your vehicle and get them repaired in a manner that is convenient for you, ensuring the safety of yourself, your passengers and any future owners of your vehicle.
