Here’s What To Do If Your Car Is Recalled...

Have you ever owned a car that’s been recalled? Millions of people have, including (most recently) 3.8 million owners of certain Toyota and Lexus models.

Here’s what you should know: Manufacturers must notify all registered owners and purchasers of the vehicles by mail that the problem exists and evaluate its safety risk. They must say how to get it corrected (at no charge), when the remedy will be available, how long it will take, and whom to contact if there’s a problem getting the work done.

If you’ve heard about a recall but don’t receive a letter in a “reasonable” amount of time, take these steps:

• Visit the manufacturer’s web site and the site for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at www.safercar.gov. Search the NHTSA’s database for recalls on your vehicle. While you’re there, search the database for any “technical service bulletins” for your car. These are memos to dealer service departments on any mechanical issues that you might want to have addressed, especially if your car is still under warranty.

• Get a CARFAX report on your car (by Vehicle Identification Number). This is important if you’re buying a used car since manufacturers are not required to repair a recalled car at no charge if it is more than 10 years old.

• Call your dealer to schedule an appointment. They will probably tell you to be patient.

• Play a key role in keeping vehicles as safe as possible by reporting any safety-related problems to the NHTSA. File a complaint online, call their hotline or mail the complaint to their office in Washington, DC. You also can search online for complaints others have made by vehicle model.