What is a safety recall and when is it necessary?

A safety recall is issued when either the vehicle manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies a defect in a vehicle that could compromise its safety. These recalls typically apply to specific models or parts that may be shared across multiple vehicles. When a recall is announced, the manufacturer informs its authorized dealerships and contacts registered vehicle owners, allowing them to bring their vehicle to an authorized dealer for the necessary repairs.

What is NHTSA?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the federal agency responsible for setting and enforcing vehicle safety standards. Its mission is to reduce traffic accidents and prevent injuries on the road. NHTSA oversees regulations related to vehicle performance and conducts investigations into potential safety defects.

What does a safety recall mean to me?

If your vehicle or one of its components is involved in a safety recall, it means the manufacturer or NHTSA has identified a potential defect that could pose a safety risk. The goal is to address the issue before it leads to a problem. To learn more about safety recalls and how they might affect your vehicle, visit the NHTSA website here.

How do I find out if the vehicle I am interested in buying is subject to a safety recall?

If you're browsing our website and find a vehicle you're interested in, look for the "NHTSA VIN Look-Up" link on the vehicle's page. Clicking this link will take you directly to the NHTSA's SaferCar.gov database, where you can check if that specific vehicle has any open safety recalls. You can also visit the NHTSA website directly to search using a VIN or learn more about vehicle safety here.

NHTSA's website allows users to enter any vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) - the specific code that identifies each individual automobile - into its system to pull up a report that will show whether that vehicle is subject to any safety recalls. The website also provides general information on safety recalls based on a vehicle's year, make, and model.

In addition to using the NHTSA website, a free CarFax report will be provided to you before you purchase the vehicle so you can review the vehicle's history, including whether there are any safety recalls reported by CarFax.

Please note that we are not affiliated with and do not control the NHTSA website or CarFax, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information they report. The accuracy of the information available through CarFax and NHTSA is subject to a number of factors, including but not limited to whether information reported by a manufacturer is up to date.

Do you fix open safety recalls?

If a vehicle is offered for sale as "certified," it is our intention to repair any open safety recalls that we have identified before you take it home, although that may not always be possible depending on the nature of the recall, the availability of parts, etc.

Regardless of whether a vehicle is "certified" or not, you will have the opportunity to review a CarFax report prior to sale, which provides information about the vehicle's history, including safety recalls reported by CarFax.

Please note that safety recall information comes from the manufacturers, and sometimes there is a delay between the time the manufacturers issue a safety recall and the time that information becomes available on databases like those run by NHTSA and CarFax. There may also be a delay in the ability to repair certain open safety recalls for various reasons, including the non-availability of parts. We do not and cannot guarantee that every vehicle sold, whether certified or not, will be recall-free.

How will I find out if my vehicle is subject to a safety recall after I purchase it?

Manufacturers are required to notify all registered owners and purchasers of vehicles affected by a safety recall through first-class mail. The recall notice will explain the nature of the defect, the potential safety risks it poses, and the steps you should take to address the issue. It’s designed to ensure you understand the hazard and know exactly how to proceed to get it resolved.

Because manufacturers get the names of vehicle owners from state registration offices, you must maintain your state registration information to be sure to receive notice of a safety recall. If you move, be sure to update your address.

We also recommend that you register your vehicle with the manufacturer as soon as you purchase it. When you do so, you will receive important information on your vehicle directly from the manufacturer. Most manufacturers also have VIN-specific look-up functions on their sites.

In addition, you can subscribe to email safety recall notifications from NHTSA here. These notifications will not be specific to your individual vehicle but will provide information for vehicles of the year and make you select when you sign up. If you subscribe, you will receive an email if there is a safety recall for the criteria you select.

If I find out my vehicle is subject to a safety recall after I buy it, how do I get it fixed?

If your vehicle is subject to a safety recall, take it to a manufacturer-authorized repair facility. They are required to fix the problem at no cost to you.