How to Deal With Car Recall Headaches

BMW parked on the side of the street

If you purchase a new or used car from a dealership, you may or may not go through the experience of a recall. Recalls are a critical event in which the car has a safety problem due to production issues. They can range from the windshield wipers going off on their own to a much severe problem such as the transmission shifting on its own. No matter the case, here are some tips to help you deal with a recall if it ever happens to you.

Do research on the recall

The more informed you are about the situation, the better. All car companies will post the information about the recall on their website by releasing a report or statement. They will tell you the car model, year, and what the recall is. Once you have that information, call up your local dealership and ask to speak to someone who can tell you more about the recall. You can ask how this problem occurred and how it is going to be repaired.

Schedule the repair ASAP

Even though the severity of the recall can vary, it is crucial that you get to the dealership and fix it as soon as you can. There are chances your car may not be affected, but it is always safe to just take it in for a checkup just to make sure everything is functioning the way it is supposed to. Don’t worry about the price because when a recall occurs, it is free of charge to repair it.

Stay updated

New problems can always pop up with any vehicle, even it has already had a recall before. To remain informed with your vehicle, you should do a yearly update. You can find information on recalls by going to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database. They post recall information as soon as it becomes available. You can even sign up for email alerts on their website to stay continuously informed with vehicle information.