Millions of vehicles are currently recalled - How to check if yours is safe to drive
A whopping 50 million vehicles on the road have open recalls. Thousands of Fords, Nissans, Hyundais and Hondas were recently added to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s list. Tap or click here to check if your model is affected.
Perhaps a manufacturer finds a part on a specific model wears out faster than expected and decides to replace it for everyone. Faulty or outdated software can pose significant problems. And sometimes, the problem is more urgent, like the Takata airbag recall that started in 2013.
If you own a car, this article is for you. I will tell you how you can go online to find out if your vehicle is subject to a recall and get email notifications of future recalls. You should share this valuable intel with your family and friends, too.
1. Find your car’s VIN
The first step is to find your vehicle’s 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, for short.
The VIN is found on most vehicles by standing outside the front windshield and peering down at the lower driver’s side corner of the dashboard. It can be a little hard to see, so look carefully. Some cars also have it printed on an emblem on the driver-side door jamb.
If you can’t locate your car’s VIN, check your vehicle title or registration or look in your insurance documents. By the way, it’s wise to take a photo of your car’s VIN so you always have it handy. Tap or click for 9 more photos you should always have on your phone.
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2. Update your registration
Make sure your car’s manufacturer can reach you. That means keeping your registration up to date and ensuring your current address is on file. Yes, you may hear about a serious recall through a letter in the mail.
Your first step is checking your vehicle. Look at the registration sticker in the corner of your plate to make sure the marked year is current. You can also visit your state motor vehicle department’s website to see whether you need to pay fees or go through emissions testing to bring your paperwork current.
More helpful resources: 10 tech company customer service phone numbers plus a secret way to know wait times.
Check your cupboard! This snack is an E. coli risk
If you enjoy the outdoors or an occasional hike, you will likely pack a few snacks for the trail. Tap or click here for five 5 health tests you can take online. There is nothing worse than trying to enjoy the peaceful nature with your stomach grumbling. But before you head out again, check your cupboard.
A woman found an AirTag hidden under her car - Here's how to spot them
GPS-style tracking units are useful for keeping track of your stuff. Simply attach one of these devices to your keys, purse, laptop bag or anything else you don’t want to lose. If the worst happens and an item goes missing, you have a fighting chance to track it down.