Unfixed recall numbers spike

It seems more and more drivers are ignoring recall notices from their carmaker.

According to Carfax, more than 63 million recalled vehicles are on American roads. That’s up 34 per cent from 2016. Texas has the highest rate, with one in three vehicles affected. Hawaii, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama also top the list.

The report also suggests that it’s families not answering recall notices. Perhaps the hectic family life is getting the way as minivans and SUVs — “family-oriented vehicles ” — are most likely to have an unfixed recall, the vehicle reporting history company said.

“Safety is our number one concern,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. “It may be inconvenient, but people driving recalled cars should make getting them fixed a high priority.”

Service professionals also play a key role in making sure their customers are following up on notices. Diane Freeman, executive director of the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario, said that not only is it “definitely” an important part of a technician’s job to make sure their customers have had the their recall serviced, it’s also just good business. “It’s an added service (technicians) give to their customers.”

She added that if technicians know their customer’s vehicle is subject to a recall, just mention it. “Say ‘are you aware that this vehicle has a recall on it for such-and-such? And you need to contact your dealer and make an appointment.’”

There was, however, a spike in recall activity recently as at least 19 automakers have issued notices as a result of dangerous Takata airbag inflators. It’s part of the largest recall in U.S. history.

More than four million vehicles in Canada have been recalled, according to Transport Canada. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 42 million vehicles will be affected by the Takata airbag recall in the United States.

Ford, Toyota and Honda all issued further recall notices in January, totalling more than 2.5 million cars in Canada and the U.S.

The fault lies in a defective inflator and propellant devices that may deploy improperly in the event of a crash and shoot metal fragments into the vehicle, striking its occupants. Takata agreed to a $1 billion fine with the U.S. Department of Justice.