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From time to time, auto parts will be recalled. Whether you’ve recently gotten a phone call about a defective part or are just wondering what you would do in the event of a recall, it’s important to always take recalls seriously. Here’s why you should never ignore that recall letter or phone call.

Your Safety Might Depend on It

While some recalls may not directly impact driver safety, most do. Some auto parts, such as airbags, have particular dangers when they malfunction. For example, some recalls have been issued due to airbags failing to deploy in a crash. Other recalls were based on bags that were defective and posed a danger when they deployed. While you might not think about airbags as you drive on a regular basis, failing airbags can sometimes lead to serious injury or death in the event of an accident.

They’re Free

One common misconception about auto part recalls is that they will cost you money to fix. However, this isn’t true — manufacturers are required to cover both parts and labor costs. Of course, it may be inconvenient to take your car in for a necessary repair, but, obviously, this temporary inconvenience beats becoming injured or killed in an accident caused by the recall. In some cases, your dealer may even be able to offer you a loaner car to use while yours is being repaired. Also, since recalls are free, it can’t hurt to make sure any used car you want to buy doesn’t have any recent recalls. This is something that’s easy and usually free to check online.

They Aren’t Frivolous

Some people might believe that an auto part recall benefits the car manufacturer somehow, however, the opposite is actually true. These recalls require manufacturers to send parts to dealers, and they pay dealers to install them. The total cost to the manufacturer is often in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Manufacturers don’t issue recalls for the fun of it — these recalls often put the manufacturer’s bottom line at risk. Plus, it’s worth noting that every major manufacturer has had a recall at some point. One recall doesn’t mean that a given manufacturer has poor quality control or other major issues.

While auto part recalls are sometimes unexpected and inconvenient, they aren’t something to be ignored. And, especially if you aren’t your car’s original owner, you should check to see if your vehicle needs any recall work. Staying vigilant and working to fix any outstanding recall issues will help keep you safe and keep your car running.

You might also like this article: The Benefits of Taking Care of Your Car