What Is a Safety Recall?
A safety defect in a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle is usually discovered by the vehicle’s manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sometimes after complaints from vehicle owners. When a manufacturer or the NHTSA discovers a safety defect in a particular car, motorcycle, or other vehicle, the manufacturer must notify vehicle owners of the problem and provide the opportunity for a remedy, such as a free repair. Safety recalls are governed by federal law. In general, the law defines a safety defect as a problem that: • poses a safety risk in motor vehicles, and • exists in a group of cars or other vehicles of the same design or manufacture (or equipment of the same type and manufacture). Defects that are not related to safety are not covered by federal law and are not subject to recall. However, non-safety-related defects could form the basis for a product liability claim or lawsuit.
Related Questions
- No other Lexus, Toyota or Scion vehicles in the North American market are involved in this Safety Recall. What should customers do if they still have questions or concerns?
- Why can’t the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just recall the defective Chinese drywall?
- Why was a vehicle safety recall issued in the USA before the UK?
