Answering Those Recalls

How safe is your car? E very year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues around 600 vehicle and part recalls due to safety concerns. The recalls should not be ignored. They often follow a series of tragic accidents where the same things has gone terribly wrong. If you don't heed the warning, your car may be the next one to break down in the middle of the highway.

Less than a month ago, Toyota was forced to recall almost 4 million vehicles following the death of a family in a high-speed car crash. The floor mat had caused the accelerator pedal to stick, leading to fatal results. The NHTSA has received over a hundred reports of the same problem in various Toyota vehicles. The recall eight models of Toyota and Lexus cars and trucks including the popular Camry and the hybrid Pryus.

A year earlier, Ford was forced to recall certain Lincoln and Mercury models built between 1993 – 2003. A defective cruise control switch could spark a fire even when the vehicle wasn't running, causing the car to turn into a giant fireball. The problem was serious enough for Ford to recall over 14 million vehicles. Amazingly, five million of those cars were never fixed, as drivers ignored the warning.

In April, Hyundai recalled over 700,000 vehicles due to a stop lamp malfunction that could lead to a crash. The recall, which included 10 different models, was closely followed by a second major recall of 90,000 additional vehicles due to a problem with a door handle.

If you do get a recall letter in the mail, don't ignore it. You may be putting yourself and your family at risk. If you're not sure if your car model has been subject to any recalls, you can check by going to www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov.

In addition to the safety concerns, ignoring a recall may invalidate your insurance policy. The insurance provider may claim that it is your responsibility to comply with a recall. By ignoring it, you're taking an unnecessary risk.