What a Car Recall Notice Means and What to Do
The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
“While NHTSA isn’t out there actively doing recalls, they’re influencing manufacturers behind the scenes and pushing them to take action,” says Michael Brooks, executive director for the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit advocacy group.
By Keith Barry
August 7, 2025
The white and red envelope bears the name and logo of the brand of car you own. “Important Safety Recall Notice,” it says, in capital letters. It may look like junk mail or even a scam. But the information inside could save your life.
Automakers issue recalls when a vehicle has a critical safety defect, notifying owners via letters in alarming-looking envelopes. According to analysis from Stout, a financial advisory firm that researches automotive recalls, there were over 360 automotive safety recalls in the U.S. in 2024, involving more than 25 million vehicles. Some of those were for millions of cars, while others covered only a handful of vehicles. The problems included faulty backup cameras, engines that suddenly shut off while people were driving, and airbags that wouldn’t protect occupants in a crash.
Even though federal law requires that manufacturers fix those defects for free, analysis from Stout found that more than 30 percent of cars on the road have recall problems that haven’t been repaired. It’s understandable. Some owners might ignore the problem because they’re short on time and don’t want the trouble of dealing with it, or because the defect appears to be relatively minor. They may worry that their dealership will find a way to charge them for the fix (or find other pricey problems). Even if they do proceed with the repair, the dealer may tell them the required parts won’t be available for months or even years.