Auto defects from companies such as Takata and General Motors have killed hundreds of people during car accidents, making defective auto parts a major safety issue for American consumers. Takata’s defective air bags recently became part of the largest recall in U.S. history, with millions of cars being recalled. Eight people have died from accidents involving Takata air bags, and General Motors’ defective ignition switch has been linked to 124 deaths. The defect can cause the ignition to lock and drivers to lose control of their vehicles.

With numerous press reports surrounding defective auto parts, it is important for motorists to know how to keep themselves and their families safe. Fortunately, consumers have ways to find out if their vehicles have been recalled.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) operates safercar.gov, a website that lets vehicle owners look up information using their vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN is a unique code and serial number that serves as a vehicle’s “fingerprint”.  When users put VINs into the search engine for the NHTSA’s website, it pulls up safety recalls that are incomplete on vehicles and all safety recalls conducted over the last 15 years.

How Can I Get Auto Defects Fixed?

Consumers can get recalled vehicles fixed at no cost at dealerships. For example, General Motors car owners would have to go to General Motors dealerships to receive the fix. After getting recall information from the NHTSA website, vehicle owners can print out the recall information and take it into specific dealerships.

Although manufacturers should notify owners of auto defects using the mail, sometimes people move and change addresses. It is important to stay up-to-date with the most relevant information to stay safe.

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