What Happens in a Recall?
Automakers issue recalls to fix defects, or sometimes just to check for defects. When a model is recalled, the automaker contacts every owner of that model by mail, and asks him or her to bring his or her car to a dealer. The dealer replaces defective parts at no cost to the car owner. Every recall is registered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is where cars.com gets information for our recall database.
