2018 Update: Fast Facts on Vehicle Recalls
Carfax’s 2018 car recall report shows more than 57 million recalled vehicles are actively used on roads in the United States each day. Although this number represents the lowest count of recalled vehicles in years, we feel it is still far too many. Here are some additional fast facts found in the 2018 report. The car accident attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm believe these numbers show the severity of this ongoing road safety issue and helps identify what drivers will be impacted the most.
- 57 million vehicles on the road have open safety recalls in 2018, or greater than 1 out of every 5 cars in the U.S.
- 27.5 percent of minivans in use have open recalls, the highest rate of any vehicle segment. Light trucks are second at 23.4 percent.
- 7.02 million vehicles in California have open recalls, the most in the nation.
- In 2017, Carfax reported there were 63 million active vehicles with open safety recalls on the roads which was a 34 percent increase from 2016’s statistics.
- The largest recall in U.S. automotive history in the Takata air bag recall that includes 19 different automakers recalling 69 million inflators across the 42 million vehicles.
In Michigan, 20.9 percent of vehicles currently have open safety recalls. The cities of Detroit (23 percent), Southfield (21 percent) and Kalamazoo (20 percent) have the highest open safety recalls for vehicles on the road.
Consumers Can Identify a Recall on Their Vehicle
Consumers are responsible for knowing if their vehicle and vehicle parts are included on a recall list and should not depend on a dealership, previous owner, or car maker to inform them. If you are ever unsure if your car, motorcycle, or truck has been recalled, you can simply check by using your unique 17-character VIN via the NHTSA’s online recall portal.
What is included in an online VIN search?
- Vehicle safety recalls that are incomplete
- Vehicle safety recalls conducted over the past 15 calendar years
- Vehicle safety recalls conducted by major light auto automakers, including motorcycle manufacturers
What is NOT included in an online VIN search?
- Completed safety recall information
- Manufacturer customer service or other non-safety recall campaign
- International vehicles
- Very recently announced safety recalls for which not all VINs have been identified
- Safety recalls that are more than 15 years old (except where a manufacturer offers more coverage)
- Safety recalls conducted by small vehicle manufacturers, including some ultra-luxury brands and specialty applications
Vehicle recalls have proven to lead to serious accidents, injuries, and sometimes death. With offices throughout Michigan, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm are positioned to help the victims of dangerous and faulty vehicles and meet with them anywhere across the state.
Contact Us Now to Discuss Your Car Accident Case
If you or a loved one were injured because of a recalled vehicle or involved in an accident because of someone else’s recalled vehicle, please call Lee Free and speak to our expert attorneys at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733).
You can also contact us by filling out our simple Free Case Evaluation Form.
