CARFAX Numbers Show One In Five Vehicles On The Road Has An Open Safety Recall

Rhea-AI Summary

The number of vehicles in the U.S. with open safety recalls has decreased by 5% from 2020, totaling over 53 million. Despite this progress, pickup trucks and minivans remain the most at-risk vehicles. Southern states like Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana exhibit the highest percentages of open recalls. CARFAX's free recall-monitoring services have contributed to this decline, with over 24 million VINs registered. The recall repair process is generally quick and free, reinforcing the importance of consumer awareness through platforms like CARFAX.

Positive

• Decrease in open recalls by 5%, from 63 million in 2017 to over 53 million in 2021.
• Over 24 million VINs are registered in CARFAX Car Care, enhancing vehicle monitoring.
• Recall repairs are completed at no charge to owners and typically finished within a day.

Negative

• Over 53 million vehicles still have unresolved safety recalls, posing risk to drivers.
• Southern states show high open-recall percentages, with Mississippi at 26%.

CENTREVILLE, Va., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of vehicles on U.S. roads with an open recall is declining, but tens of millions of drivers - and used- car buyers – remain at risk. The number of vehicles on the road with open safety recalls is down 5% from 2020, but that means there's still more than 53 million recalled vehicles on the road today that haven't been repaired. In 2021, pickup trucks and minivans are the vehicles most likely to have unfixed recalls, CARFAX data shows.

"The number of vehicles on the road with open recalls peaked at 63 million in 2017, so we're heading in the right direction but there's still a long way to go," said Faisal Hasan, General Manager of Data at CARFAX. "We're teaming up with the vehicle manufacturers to try to help raise awareness around recalls. The goal is to make the information readily available for owners to boost the closure rates for open recalls."

Southern states continue to top the list with the highest open-recall percentages including Mississippi at 26%, Texas (24%) and Louisiana (24%). Here are the top 10 states with the highest number of recalled vehicles:

1. California: 6.3 million
2. Texas: 5.3 million
3. Florida: 3.3 million
4. New York: 2.1 million
5. Pennsylvania: 1.9 million
6. Ohio: 1.9 million
7. Georgia: 1.8 million
8. Illinois: 1.7 million
9. North Carolina: 1.7 million
10. Michigan: 1.5 million

The decrease in open recalls in recent years can be attributed to increased use of free recall-monitoring services such as CARFAX Car Care. There are currently more than 24 million Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) registered in CARFAX Car Care. This free service continuously monitors vehicles for open recalls after owners enter their license plate or VIN. The service notifies owners if a recall has been issued for a vehicle they have registered. Because recalls are issued regularly even for older models, it's crucial that owners be aware of new federal actions.

"What really stood out to me about CARFAX Car Care was the recall notifications," said Car Care user Paul Lambert. "I received a recall notice which was on the books with Toyota but hadn't been widely known as Toyota did not yet have a fix for it. It's extremely useful to have another set of eyes on my vehicle and it's needs, plus I'm not being charged for it. Sometimes there is a free lunch."

There has also been a growing effort from Departments of Motor Vehicles around the country to provide free supplemental recall notifications to consumers, including during the registration, renewal and inspection processes.

Taking any vehicle off the road to be fixed can be an inconvenience. However, recall repairs are often completed in only an hour or two, and most take less than a day. And federal law requires that all recall work be completed at no charge to owners. Owners can check whether their vehicle has an open recall for free at CARFAX or view a state map by visiting: www.carfax.com/recall/

About CARFAX
CARFAX, part of IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides exclusive services like CARFAX Used Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post and Glassdoor.com. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell – Show me the CARFAX™. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

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SOURCE CARFAX

FAQ

How many vehicles are affected by open recalls in the U.S. as of 2021?

As of 2021, over 53 million vehicles in the U.S. have open safety recalls.

What types of vehicles are most likely to have unfixed recalls according to CARFAX?

Pickup trucks and minivans are currently the vehicles most likely to have unfixed recalls.

Which U.S. states have the highest percentages of open recalls?

Mississippi (26%), Texas (24%), and Louisiana (24%) have the highest percentages of open recalls.

What is CARFAX Car Care and how does it help vehicle owners?

CARFAX Car Care is a free service that monitors vehicles for open recalls and notifies owners when recalls are issued.

How quickly are recall repairs typically completed?

Most recall repairs are completed within an hour or less than a day and are free of charge.