Safe Cars Save Lives - Check your vehicle for recalls as part of road trip preparations

Many Arizonans are getting ready for spring break road trips. Taking that week off from school or work to spend time with family and friends may be a great way to relax and unwind. One way to ensure that week is a relaxing week, especially if you are driving to your destination, is to check for any safety recalls on your vehicle prior to hitting the open road.  

This week is Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, when ADOT joins the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in urging vehicle owners to check for open recalls. “Safe Cars Save Lives” is this year’s message reminding drivers that it is a quick and free precaution that should be taken twice a year. 

Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund or, in rare cases, repurchasing the vehicle. Checking your vehicle for recalls helps ensure any outstanding issues are properly resolved before unfortunate incidents happen.

There are a few easy ways to check for recalls. The first is through the MVD customer portal AZMVDNOW.gov. After logging into your account, you will see your driver license image and directly below it will be vehicle information for any vehicles registered in your name. Click on each specific vehicle to see title and recall information associated with that vehicle.

The other option is the free Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Look-Up Tool, located at NHTSA.gov/recalls. This allows vehicle owners to check for open safety recalls on their vehicles or automotive equipment, such as tires and car seats. 

Even with alerts and warnings emailed or mailed by manufacturers, millions of recalled vehicles go unrepaired every year. This puts drivers, passengers and others at risk. By checking for vehicle safety recalls twice a year, you can avoid such unnecessary risks.

So, before you load up the vehicle and hit the road to the beach, mountains, or even just the resort down the street, take a few minutes to check for any manufacturer recalls on your vehicle. After all, a safe vehicle is one step to a safer vacation.