{"id":353221,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/car-safety-recalls.html"},"modified":"2025-09-22T11:06:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T16:06:00","slug":"car-safety-recalls","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/car-safety-recalls.html","title":{"rendered":"Vehicle Safety Recall Types and Processes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Vehicle Safety Recall Types and Processes<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<\/span> (NHTSA<\/span>) and auto manufacturers can issue vehicle recalls<\/span>, though the processes differ slightly. NHTSA<\/span> typically initiates recalls after investigating consumer complaints and identifying safety defects<\/span>, while manufacturers may voluntarily recall vehicles<\/span> to avoid liability or maintain customer trust.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defective and dangerous vehicles and parts cause thousands of motor vehicle<\/span> accidents annually. Since 1966, auto manufacturers and the Department of Transportation\u2019s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<\/span><\/a> (NHTSA<\/span>) have issued more than 300 million recalls.<\/p>\n

NHTSA<\/span> sets safety standards<\/span> that auto manufacturers must abide by. Automakers usually adhere to these standards, but sometimes, a vehicle falls short. When this happens, NHTSA<\/span> or the car manufacturer may issue a car recall<\/span>.<\/p>\n

In this article, you\u2019ll find:<\/p>\n