U.S. DOT Reminds Public to Check for Recalls as Clocks Fall Back

As the end of daylight saving time approaches, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding motorists to check their vehicles for open recalls as part of its Safe Cars Save Lives Check for Recalls campaign. Consumers nationwide are urged to check every November when setting clocks back and every March when setting clocks forward. To further help raise public awareness of recalls, NHTSA and Maryland announced a collaborative pilot program that would alert motorists of open recalls at the time of vehicle registration at no charge.

To help spread the word, NHTSA is hosting a #CheckForRecalls Tweetup on Nov. 2 and is urging consumers to take the following actions.

• Visit NHTSA.gov to find out if your car or truck is under recall. Search using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your search result will tell you if your car or truck is currently included in any safety recall.
• Call your local dealer to schedule the free repair if your vehicle is under recall.
• Sign up at NHTSA.gov/Alerts to be notified if your vehicle is affected by a future recall.

NHTSA believes that an informed consumer is one of our strongest allies in ensuring recalled vehicles are repaired. To help build recall awareness, NHTSA’s Safe Cars Save Lives Check for Recalls campaign also includes a suite of safety videos to help inform consumers on how to check for recalls, how vehicle recalls and investigations work, and important safety information on what every vehicle owner should know.

The agency also developed a comprehensive website, fact sheet and video to provide information to consumers affected by the Takata air bag recall – one of the largest recalls in U.S. history. NHTSA has directed Takata and the vehicle manufacturers to accelerate repairs and recommended using social media, advertising, and mobile repair programs, along with other communications-specific recommendations. NHTSA continues to advocate for the safety of consumers and encourages motorists to visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls for information related to their vehicles and to contact NHTSA online or by calling the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.