Keeping Updated about Auto Safety Recall Information

The U.S. Justice Department has ordered General Motors to pay $900 million to settle criminal charges related to a faulty ignition switch that has been linked to at least 124 deaths. GM admitted that its employees were aware of the problem for almost a decade before it initiated the recall of millions of cars last year.

As a part of the settlement, GM agreed to hire an independent monitor to review their recall process to insure that the company is in compliance with federal safety regulations.

Revised rules regarding automotive recalls

National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act is a law that requires motor vehicle manufacturers and replacement part manufacturers to notify the owners and purchasers of motor vehicles about any defect or noncompliance in any vehicle or piece of automotive equipment that they produce. The NHTSA has just issued an amended ruling, which strengthens the language in the Safety Act in order to prevent situations such as the one with General Motors from happening again.

This amended ruling was just released in mid-September 2015, but soon enough, consumers will begin receiving notifications about recalls that effect the vehicles they own. For vehicle owners who would like to be a bit more proactive about getting information about automotive recalls, there are a few resources available to help you do just that.

Resources for auto recall information

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration produces a website, safercar.gov, which is full of useful information for car owners about automotive safety. You will find a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) search where you can find out if your vehicle is subject to any current recalls. You just type in a VIN and you will get a report that tells you if there are any recalls for the model of car you own, or if a vehicle has not been repaired as a result of a recalled part any time within 15 years.

If you want recall notifications to come directly to you, you can sign up to receive email updates or you can subscribe to the RSS feeds. They have also developed a mobile app for iOS and Android smart phones.

On the main NHTSA website you can also lookup recall information in their VIN database, but you can also file an official complaint if you think you might be dealing with a defective auto part. You will also find lots of other information and resources that motor vehicle owners might find useful.

As a result of the massive General Motors (more than 30 million) recall, they will be footing the $4.1 billion bill to repair those cars and trucks, and they will pay at least $150 million into a compensation fund for the families of those killed in accidents caused by the defective ignition problem.