Just What Is a Car Recall? Car Safety Recall Definition - A safety recall is an automotive manufacturer's way of notifying vehicle customers that their product has a flaw. The automobile problem is serious enough that if you do not correct the flaw your and/or your passengers' safety could be at risk. Generally recalls are initiated by the US Government, but sometimes individual car manufacturers will pre-emptively initiate a recall.
Where Do I Find My VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)? Look on the lower left of your car’s windshield for your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your VIN is also located on your car’s registration card, and it may be shown on your insurance card.
Auto Tip - How Do I Find Out If My Vehicle Has A Recall? ==> An easy way to determine if you have an active car recall is to just enter your VIN number at the top of this page and CarFax will report if there are any issues at all with your vehicle.
THE TILT STEERING WHEEL LOCK MECHANISM THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE MAY BREAK. FAILURE OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM WOULD ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO TILT, UNRESTRAINED. THE WHEEL MAY TRAVEL TO THE HIGH OR LOW POSITION.
THE EGR VALVE ASSEMBLY MAY DEVELOP CRACKS AT THE WELDED JOINT BETWEEN THE VALVE AND THE VALVE SHAFT. CRACKS MAY ENLARGE WITH CONTINUED USE AND THE VALVE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE SHAFT.
DURING A PISTON PIN MANUFACTURING PROCESS, CRACKS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE INNER SURFACE OF THE PIN. THESE CRACKS COULD LEAD TO COMPLETE BREAKAGE OF THE PIN, WHICH IN TURN COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE SUDDEN ENGINE SEIZURE.
A LOCK NUT WHICH SECURES THE TIE ROD TO THE INNER BALL JOINT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURELY FASTENED ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ALONG POOR ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TIE ROD COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
THE COTTER PIN, WHICH IS USED TO SECURE THE REAR AXLE SHAFT LOCK NUT, MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY OMITTED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. IF THE COTTER PIN IS MISSING, THE LOCK NUT COULD LOOSEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. THIS COULD LEAD TO A SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE DRUM/REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE AXLE SHAFT.
THE INVOLVED PICK-UP TRUCKS MAY EXHIBIT VIBRATION OR SHIMMY IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.
THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS DUE TO AN IMPROPER MACHINE SET-UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FROM HIGH SURROUNDING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FROM HIGH SURROUNDING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
