Recently, it seems like it has been impossible to pick up a newspaper or listen to the radio or television without hearing about the multi-million vehicle recall of Toyota cars and trucks. With all the attention focused on Toyota, it is easy to overlook the fact that a great many safety recalls have been issued over the years affecting practically every automobile manufacturer. Currently, there are several active safety recalls involving other major manufacturers. Remember the issue of Ford Pinto gas tanks bursting into flames when hit from behind in the 1970's well, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) catalogs recalls going back to 1966!

Let's look at your vehicle to determine if a safety recall or if a technical service bulletin exists for it. For this you will need simple information about your vehicle: you will need the make, model, and year of your vehicle along with the Vehicle Identification Number or "VIN Number". The VIN number is a seventeen-digit identifier composed of both letters and numbers and is located on a tag attached to the driver's door frame. The VIN can also be found on your vehicle's registration document that you should carry in your glove box. An example is "JTJ2B11A11A2000000".

You will use this information to access the NHTSA website, since this governmental agency is responsible for investing vehicle safety issues and issuing safety recalls. Go to www.safercar.gov and start at the right hand side of the home page under "Safety Recalls" and follow the prompts or "drill down" until you are prompted to enter your vehicle information to find out if a recall exists for your vehicle. If you live in Southern California you can easily access this information by starting at www.aaa.com. Look under "Automotive" and then "Traffic & Safety" and you will see "Safety & Recalls" where you can get safety recall information, technical service bulletins, and defect investigations all in one easy-to-use location.

Take your time in reviewing the NHTSA website for safety information, fuel economy ratings. Crash test results, tire safety & recalls and more. If you lack access to a computer, you can call the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. You can also determine what recall repairs have been made, or are required to be made to your vehicle or a vehicle you are considering purchasing department using  the phone number inside the owner's manual.

However, not just cars are subject to recall; www.Recalls.gov will take you to a government website and direct you to other consumer sites where you can keep information about recalls affecting food, medicines, cosmetics, and more.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSB'S) are repairs that are recommended to correct specific vehicle problems if their vehicle exhibits the problem and consumers complain about it when they visit their dealer. If you are informed of these, hopefully you can have repairs made while your vhicle is still under warranty to cover the repairs! When you are in for service, ask the service personnel to check for any TSBs covering the problem(s) you experience. In some cases, the repairs listed in a TSB may be covered by a manufacturer "service campaign" that provides free or discounted repairs even if the warranty has already expired.

Safety recall repairs are paid for by the manufacturer, regardless of warrant considerations, and manufacturers may voluntarily issue their own safety recalls to take care of a problem after notifying the NHTSA. If there is a safety recall for your vehicle, contact your dealer and have the repair completed as soon as possible. Remember to ask if you are entitled to a rental car while the repairs are occurring and be sure to keep a copy of your repair records. This is a good time to remind owners who are moving to notify the vehicle manufacturer of this by using the post card many provide in the warranty booklet or by giving the dealer your new address so recall notices and other information can reach you in your new home.

This information is authorized by AAA Automotive Research Center / Avo Asdourian / Automobile Club of Southern California/Hawai'I Approved Auto Repair. for the intent to republished on Around Hawaii Web site.

Yours Truly
Daryl Masaki.

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