WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Safety Council encourages every driver to check their vehicle’s recall status during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Recalls Week March 6-12.

Nearly 50 million vehicles on the road today have unrepaired safety recalls. This is roughly one in four vehicles. Many recalls involve defective parts that can pose life-threatening risks to drivers or passengers. Led by NSC, the Check To Protect campaign encourages all vehicle drivers to proactively check the recall status of their vehicle and, if necessary, schedule a free repair as soon as possible. Drivers are encouraged to check for recalls every time the vehicle is serviced or every three months.

“Whether leaving for an errand or a long road trip, it is a critical part of safety to prepare your vehicle before you depart for your destination,” said Lonny Haschel, senior program manager with the Mobility Safety Impact Program at NSC. “Start by checking your vehicle for open safety recalls. It is important for the safety of all road users – both inside and outside the vehicle – and is easy to do. NSC encourages every driver to check their vehicle for an open recall and get it repaired for free as soon as possible, so they can drive safely knowing their vehicle is in good-working condition for all involved.”

Drivers can easily learn if their vehicles have an open recall by visiting CheckToProtect.org and entering a photo of their license plate, or the license plate number and state. Drivers may also enter the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number. Information entered is used only to identify open recalls.

All recalls are repaired for free at authorized dealers, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased. For more information on safety recalls, visit CheckToProtect.org.

Information provided by: National Safety Council