On Jan. 21, 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched the “Safe Cars Save Lives” campaign to urge consumers to check for important safety recalls affecting their vehicles.

The number of cars recalled in 2015 hit a record level. Last year, 900 recalls affected 51 million vehicles nationwide. Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Ford and General Motors represented 72 percent of all vehicles involved in these recalls. The most major recall was driven by a faulty, explosive airbag made by Takata Corp. It affected at least 19 million cars and trucks. This is the second consecutive year that the number of recalled vehicles in the U.S. hit record levels. The exact number of recalled vehicles was 51,259,648 in 2015. In 2014, approximately 50.9 million vehicles were recalled. Although the surge in recalls continues, the NHTSA reports that 25 percent never get repaired.

The public safety campaign features an online vehicle identification number (VIN) look up tool that allows consumers to check important safety recalls. The VIN look up tool is free, and can be found at vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/. The NHTSA suggests that consumers check their VIN twice a year.

In addition, the public awareness campaign will include online banner ads and a variety of safety videos. These videos feature:

  • Information that every car or truck owner should know
  • How to check VINs
  • How recalls and investigations work

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx urges consumers to check their VIN for important recalls that could save lives. “An informed consumer is one of our strongest allies in ensuring recalled vehicles are repaired.”

If you or a loved one was injured in an automobile accident due to a manufacturing recall, the product liability attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan can get you the justice you deserve. Contact us to speak with a knowledgeable attorney about your claim today.