What To Do If Your Vehicle Is Recalled
Vehicle owners across the nation, prepare yourselves for possibility of the “it’s not you, it’s me talk.” You’ve seen the GM and Toyota recalls plaguing the news and internet, recalling hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Truth is, it is the dealer’s fault, not your own, so if you do have a vehicle that is in the process of being recalled, or if it happens somewhere down the line with one of your future vehicles (these won’t be the last recalls, they’re just the most popular right now) here is what happens, and what you’ll need to do if your vehicle is recalled.
First, you’re going to receive a letter in the mail or an email. This is probably the most important “spam mail” you’re going to receive. These letters and emails often times look like the usual daily junk mail that’s dumped on you on a regular basis, but this is actually an important one.
This will be the anticipated “it’s not you, it’s me letter” where the manufacturer will explain a couple of important things worth paying attention to:
-Your vehicle is in some way defective, and you are at risk if you continue to drive it
-A solution will be given, explaining what the faulty part or problem is and how it will be fixed
-Where and when to go to have the vehicle fixed so you won’t be charged anything.
Usually you will be give a 60-day time frame to take your vehicle in to be fixed. On the seriousness scale of “do I really have to take it in” to “do I leave it on my driveway and evacuate my neighborhood in case it blows up?” it probably falls within the do not drive your vehicle around, except to the dealer to be fixed. (The letter will state how serious the risk of further driving your vehicle is, but no matter what, you should have it fixed since it is free.)
More than likely you’ll be able to go to the dealer where you purchased your vehicle, but you won’t be the only one. Schedules are tight, but try to take your car in right away or else you’ll be waiting in DMV-length lines with fellow recallers.
If your vehicle ever does become recalled, don’t panic. Just follow the instructions of your letter or email, and if you have any questions there will be phone numbers listed to call. You won’t be charged anything, but you will have to take your car in to be fixed.
Recalls are an unfortunate and a not-so-unlikely occurrence. Like we said, if your vehicle ever is recalled, don’t panic, you won’t be charged with anything but the inconvenience of bringing your car in. As for any common service needs or serious fixes due to weather or accidents, our service team will be more than happy to give you an estimate and get you fixed up and on your way.