(BPT) - It's that time of year again — temps are dropping, roads may be slick and you never know when a winter storm could hit. You may already be planning to take care of routine car maintenance ahead of bad weather or holiday travel, but when was the last time you checked for vehicle safety recalls?
A public opinion survey commissioned by automaker Stellantis found that 40% of drivers believe a recall is fine as long as it doesn't affect the performance of their vehicle. But the truth is, some recalls may not affect the way a vehicle drives, but they may still pose a safety risk.
How likely is it that your vehicle has a recall? According to CARFAX, over 57 million vehicles on the road today have an unrepaired safety recall — that's roughly 1 in every 5 cars and trucks.
If you're part of the 43% of American drivers who don't know how to check for open safety recalls, check out these tips from the National Safety Council, America's leading nonprofit safety advocate, to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive this season.
How to check for safety recalls
Checking to see if your vehicle has any recalls is easier than you think, and even better — recall repairs are free!
To check, visit CheckToProtect.org and look up your vehicle by license plate or VIN. If the lookup tool indicates that your vehicle has a safety recall, call a local dealer immediately to schedule a free recall repair. Authorized dealers will always repair a safety recall for free, regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in your name or still under warranty, and you don't need to be a past customer to get a free recall repair at a dealership.
Why safety recall checks matter
Checking for safety recalls is important because if an automaker determines there's a problem that puts your safety at risk, they'll issue a safety recall and reach out to the name and address they have on file for that vehicle. If your automaker doesn't have your current contact information, you wouldn't receive recall notices for your vehicle.
Safety recalls can affect everything from your brakes and steering to batteries, electrical systems and airbags, so the health and safety of you, your passengers and fellow drivers on the road may be at risk. You may not notice anything wrong until a part fails, so don't delay getting that free repair.
Make safety recall checks part of your regular vehicle maintenance, especially ahead of the busy winter travel season. Commit to checking for vehicle safety recalls quarterly as one of your New Year's resolutions.
Make an appointment now
In addition to checking for recalls, it's important to make sure your car or truck is in good shape and ready for winter driving. This means checking your tires and brakes to ensure they're in good condition, and catching up on routine oil changes, filter replacements and fluid level checks.
Depending on the severity of winter weather where you live, you may also opt for snow tires and heavy-duty wipers that can better handle snow, ice and slush.
Pack your car with winter necessities
Checking that your trunk contains everything you need for winter driving — and potentially getting stranded — is also smart planning. This can include, of course, a spare tire, jack and jumper cables. Also consider adding an ice scraper, plus sand or kitty litter and a shovel, in case your vehicle gets stuck on snow or ice. You will also want to store a well-equipped first aid kit, flashlight, flares and blankets in your trunk, especially if you're planning a road trip.
Don't let vehicle trouble spoil your fun travel plans this winter. Checking for and repairing any vehicle recalls will give you peace of mind on the road. Visit CheckToProtect.org to get started on your winter driving prep today.
