PITTSBURGH — There are nearly 2.5 million recalled cars in the U.S. that have never been repaired and may be on the roads, according to a study by company CARFAX.
The recalls for these cars aren’t a problem with the GPS or sunroof but are of potential life and death consequences.
“These are urgent,” says Carfax’s Patrick Olsen about the defects. He adds, “One of the startling things is that many owners and consumers have failed to get this work done.”
Carfax also found that Pennsylvania has 106,000 such cars, with 29,000 of them in the Pittsburgh area alone.
“There are a variety of car makers and causes at play here,” says Olsen.
The list includes 20 manufacturers such as Dodge, Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, Toyota, BMW, and many others. In all, it comes to 200 different makes of vehicles that fall into one of two categories.
The first is called “Do Not Drive,” and Olsen says it is what it sounds like.
“Literally the automaker, the federal government, is telling you park this car, and we will have it towed to the dealership, get it fixed for free and return it to you.’”
Many of the cars that come under this category do so because they have a Takata Air Bag.
Federal transportation authorities have found that some Takata bags can open so explosively, that they actually create shrapnel. They found that the bags involved resulted in the deaths of nearly 20 U.S. drivers and 400 injured.
The other recall category that Carfax focused on is called “Park Outside.”
For these vehicles, says Olsen, “the fire risk is so great that not only should you not park it in your garage, we don’t want you to park it next to the garage.”
Fitting in this category are many models of Hyundai and Kia, which have been linked to 3000 spontaneous fires nationwide, Olsen said.
If you want to check if your car is on the Carfax recall list, you can look over the list below. You can also go to Carfax.com where you can enter your plate number or Vehicle Identification Number at no charge and Carfax will tell you if you have had any kind of recall.
Olsen also says it doesn’t stop there.
“Anytime a new recall is issued for your car. So that may be 3 years from now, 5 years from now, 8 years from now. As long as you still own that car, we will let you know anytime (the government) issues a new recall for your car.”
Finally, we asked Olsen why the recalled cars they discovered in their report hadn’t been fixed yet.
“I want to be clear that we’re not blaming consumers,” he said. “They certainly are not the reason these cars are being recalled.”
Instead, he said, it is a variety of reasons including some car owners need their vehicle to make a living and can’t give it up for the time the repair would require.
He also pointed out that on average, cars change ownership multiple times over the life of the vehicle, so the current owner may have no idea there’s been a recall.
Another problem? Olsen says: “Recall notices by law are delivered through 1st class mail and that is not the primary means of communication for anyone these days.” Plus, he says, the recall cards sometimes get mistaken for junk mail.
But Olsen added one last possibility. “Unfortunately”, he said,”I think a lot of drivers think ‘It’s been months or years since I received the first recall notice, so I must be in the clear’. Unfortunately, nothing could be farther from the truth.”
For more information go to: Do Not Drive: Urgent Car Recalls You Need to Know About - CARFAX
Full lists from CARFAX:
‘Do Not Drive’ Vehicles
2005-2007 Chrysler 300
2005-2010 Chrysler 300 Touring
2008-2009 Chrysler 300 LX
2008-2010 Chrysler 300 Limited
2010 Chrysler 300 S
2005-2010 Chrysler 300C, SRT-8
2008-2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8
2009-2010 Dodge Challenger R/T, SE
2010 Dodge Challenger Mopar Edit R/T
2006-2007 Dodge Charger SE/SXT
2006-2010 Dodge Charger R/T, SRT-8
2008-2010 Dodge Charger, SXT
2010 Dodge Charger Rallye
2005-2007 Dodge Magnum SE
2005-2008 Dodge Magnum R/T, SXT
2006-2008 Dodge Magnum SRT-8
2008 Dodge Magnum
2023 Ford Bronco Base/Big Bend
2013 Ford Escape SE, SEL
2014 Ford F-150, Super Cab, SuperCrew
2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty
2021 Ford F-450 Super Duty
2021 Ford F-550 Super Duty
2021 Ford F-600 Super Duty
2006 Ford Ranger, Super Cab
2023 Ford Ranger XL/XLT/Lariat
2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500/4500
2008 Honda Element LX
2005 Hyundai Elantra GLS/GT
2015 Hyundai Sonata SE, Sport/Limited
2005 Hyundai Tiburon, GT
2008 Infiniti EX35/Journey
2009 Infiniti FX35
2009 Infiniti FX50
2021 Jeep Cherokee Limited
2022 Kia Carnival EX, LX, SX Prestige
2021-2022 Kia K5 GT
2011 Kia Optima EX/SX
2011-2015 Kia Optima LX
2011-2016 Kia Optima SX
2012-2016 Kia Optima EX
2016 Kia Optima SXL
2020-2021 Kia Rio LX/S
2021 Kia Rio S
2012 Kia Sorento Base/LX
2012-2021 Kia Sorento EX
2013-2015 Kia Sorento LX
2016 Kia Sorento SX/SX Limited
2016-2017 Kia Sorento LX/L
2021 Kia Sorento SX/SXP
2022 Kia Sorento SX, SX Prestige
2011-2016 Kia Sportage EX/SX
2012-2023 Kia Sportage SX
2014 Kia Sportage/LX
2014-2023 Kia Sportage EX
2014-2023 Kia Sportage LX
2023 Kia Sportage SX Prestige, X Line, X-Pro/X-Pro Prestige
2023 Kia Telluride EX/EX X-Line, LX, S, SX/SX X-Line/SX
2006 Mazda B2300
2006 Mazda B3000, Cab Plus
2006 Mazda B4000 Cab Plus
2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
2022 Mercedes-Benz S 500 4matic
2009 Nissan GT-R/Premium
2021 Ram 1500 Classic SLT
2020 Ram 1500 Classic SSV, Tradesman, Tradesman/EX, Classic Warlock/SLT
2021 Subaru Impreza, Limited, Premium, Sport
2016 Subaru Legacy 2.5i, Limited, Premium
2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6r Limited
2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i, Limited, Premium
2016 Subaru Outback 3.6r Limited
2023 Subaru Solterra Premium/Limited/
2023 Toyota Bz4x XLE/Limited
2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE
2021 Volkswagen Atlas S
2018 Volkswagen Beetle S/Coast, S/SE/Coast
2000-2001 Volkswagen Golf GLS, GLS TDI
2018 Volkswagen Golf S/SE
2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen S, S/SE
2018 Volkswagen GTI S/SE/Autobahn
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan S, SE/SEL 4motion, SEL Premium
Park Outside Vehicles
2004-2007 BMW 525i
2006-2007 BMW 525xi
2008-2010 BMW 528i
2008-2010 BMW 528xi
2004-2007 BMW 530i
2006-2007 BMW 530xi
2006-2007 BMW 530xit
2008-2010 BMW 535i
2008-2010 BMW 535xi
2004-2005 BMW 545i
2006-2010 BMW 550i
2004-2005 BMW 645ci Automatic
2005 BMW 645ci
2006-2010 BMW 650i
2006-2010 BMW M5
2006-2010 BMW M6
2006-2007 Buick Rainier CXL
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV LT, Premier
2020-2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV
2020-2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT, Premier
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV 1LT, 2LT
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT LS/LT
2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS/LT, SS
2017 Chrysler Pacifica E-Hybrid Premium, Touring
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited Hybrid
2018-2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Tour Plus
2018-2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited, Touring L
2019-2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Touring
2022 Cruise Cruise AV
2001-2002 Ford Escape XLS, XLT
2021 Ford Expedition King Ranch, LTD, Platinum, XL, XLT
2021 Ford Expedition Max King Ranch, Limited, Platinum, XL, XLT
2019-2021 Genesis G70 Sport
2017-2018 Genesis G80 Base/Premium/Ultimate
2018 Genesis G80 Sport
2019-2020 Genesis G80 Base/Sport/Ultimate
2006-2007 GMC Envoy, Denali
2006 GMC Envoy XL, Denali
2015-2016 Hyundai Genesis 3.8L
2015-2016 Hyundai Genesis 5.0L
2019-2020 Hyundai Kona Limited, SEL, Ultimate
2019-2021 Hyundai Nexo Blue, Limited
2020-2022 Hyundai Palisade Limited, SE, SEL
2021-2022 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
2022-2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited, Night, SE, SEL, SEL Premium
2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2016-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Ultimate/Limited
2016-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SE
2019-2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited/Ultimate
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited/Hybrid
2021-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Blue, Calligraphy, Limited
2021-2023 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL, SEL Premium
2019-2020 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL/SEL Plus
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL/XRT
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL SE, SE Ultimate
2014 Hyundai Tucson GLS/Limited/SE
2014-2015 Hyundai Tucson GLS
2015 Hyundai Tucson SE/LTD
2016 Hyundai Tucson LTD/Spt And Eco/SE
2016-2021 Hyundai Tucson SE
2017 Hyundai Tucson LTD/Spt Eco/SE/Nig, Limited/Sport/Eco/SE
2018 Hyundai Tucson SEL/SEL Plus, Sport, Value/Limited
2019 Hyundai Tucson LTD/SEL/Sport/Ultimate/Value
2020-2021 Hyundai Tucson Limited/SEL/Sport/
2021 Hyundai Tucson LTD/SEL/Sport/Ultimate
2006-2009 Kia Sedona EX/LX
2007-2009 Kia Sorento EX/LX
2008-2009 Kia Sedona
2010 Kia Sedona EX, LX
2016-2018 Kia Sorento LX/L, SX/SX Limited
2016-2023 Kia Sorento EX
2019 Kia Sorento EX/EX Sport, LX/S, SX/SXL
2019-2020 Kia Sorento L/LX
2020 Kia Sorento EX/S, S/LX
2020-2022 Kia Sorento SX
2021-2022 Kia Sorento LX, S, SX/SXP
2022 Kia Sorento SX/X-Ln SX Prstge
2022-2023 Kia Sorento SX Prestige
2023 Kia Sorento SXP
2008-2009 Kia Sportage EX/LX
2008-2022 Kia Sportage LX
2017-2022 Kia Sportage EX, SX
2020-2022 Kia Sportage S
2018 Kia Stinger Premium
2018-2021 Kia Stinger, GT
2018-2019 Kia Stinger GT1
2019 Kia Stinger GT2
2020-2022 Kia Telluride EX, LX, S, SX
2021 Lincoln Navigator, Black Label, Reserve
2021 Lincoln Navigator L, Black Label, Reserve
2017 Porsche Panamera 2/4
2017-2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo, Executive
2017-2021 Porsche Panamera 4S, Executive
2018 Porsche Panamera/4
2018-2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo
2018-2021 Porsche Panamera 4 Executive, Sport Turismo
2018-2021 Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo
2019-2021 Porsche Panamera Base/4, GTS, GTS Sport Turismo
2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Executive, Sport Turismo
2021-2023 Ram Laramie
2021-2023 Ram 2500 Big Horn
2022 Ram 2500 Big Horn/Lone Star
2021-2023 Ram 2500 Limited, Longhorn, Tradesman
2023 Ram 2500 PowerWagon
2021-2023 Ram 3500 Big Horn, Limited, Longhorn, Tradesman
2022 Ram 3500 Big Horn/Lone Star
2021-2023 Ram Chassis 3500
2021-2023 Ram Chassis 4500
2021-2023 Ram Chassis 5500
2004 Saab 9-3 Arc
2005-2006 Saab 9-7x Arc
2005-2006 Saab 9-7x Linear
2007 Saab 9-7x 4.2i
2007 Saab 9-7x 5.3i
2019-2022 Subaru Ascent, Limited, Premium, Touring
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