Car recalls are not glamorous by any stretch of the imagination — they’re costly to the automotive manufacturer and it’s one more item you have to add to your to-do list. But ignoring car safety recalls is not a good idea, as it can put you, your family, your car and other drivers at risk. Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t ignore the warnings.
- Safety first. When you neglect to act on a car recall notice, you’re putting the safety of yourself, your passengers and other drivers at risk. Mechanical defects can increase the likelihood of car crashes. While many collisions are caused by human error or distracted driving, having a defect in your vehicle can increase the chances of something going wrong on the road.
- It doesn’t cost you anything. When you receive a recall notice, it’s important to act on it right away, especially knowing that it won’t cost you a penny, other than your time. The manufacturer fronts the costs, so other than taking the time to bring it into the dealership, there isn’t a financial cost to you.
- If there’s a part out of stock, the dealership will likely give you a loaner. You might think that bringing your car in for recall will take a long time. If there’s a part missing you’ll have to leave your car overnight, sometimes for several days. While this is a hassle, your dealership will likely provide a loaner car until your vehicle is fixed, which means there’s really no excuse not to act on a car recall notice.
When you receive a recall notice for your car, take action right away. You’ll be putting your safety and the safety of others first. There’s no financial cost to you, and relatively low inconvenience. Lastly, it’s important to be diligent and take care of the problems to ensure your car continues to run properly for the long term.