Every week, there’s a new recall in the headlines, and it appears that no vehicle store has escaped punishment for some little or large production flaw that placed its consumers in danger. Everything from airbags to brakes to rear cameras has been found to have issues, and whole vehicles have been recalled in certain cases. Regardless of whether your vehicle is new or old, it’s critical that you understand when a safety concern emerges and what measures you may take to have it repaired. Here are some pointers for staying on top of recalls and coping with them.

Locate your car by using the following steps: All safety recalls are kept in a database maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Enter your VIN number on the website www.nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car is subject to any recalls. Keep up with the times: According to Consumer Reports, corporations may utilize your automobile registration information to alert you if there is a recall. As a result, double-check your address and details. If you own a secondhand automobile or have relocated to another state, you should additionally register your vehicle with the manufacturer. Finally, to keep track of notifications, sign up for email notices from the NHTSA. Problems should be reported as follows: When many people report problems with a particular item or vehicle to the NHTSA, a recall investigation is launched. So, if a part in your automobile is faulty, notify it.

Maintain receipts: If you get anything fixed and it turns out that the manufacturer is to blame, you may be able to claim a refund, so keep careful records and retain all of your receipts. To begin, call the dealer to see whether your vehicle is safe to drive. If not, they may offer you a loaner or a rented car until your car is fixed. The dealer can also advise you on what measures to take to get the problem diagnosed and addressed. Fixes for recalls are free: If the NHTSA finds sufficient evidence to issue a formal safety recall, the manufacturer is responsible for fixing the problem and paying for it. Recalls happen all the time, and while dealing with them might be a headache, it’s necessary and worthwhile. Take efforts to stay current, as well as to maintain your vehicle current and safe.