Federal regulators launched a new program on Tuesday to help car buyers and owners find out if their vehicles have been recalled and repaired.
Available at www.safercar.gov, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's new search tool lets consumers look up recalls through vehicle identification numbers, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The search program is intended to give drivers "the peace of mind knowing that the vehicle they own, or that they are thinking of buying or renting, is free of safety defects," said NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman, as quoted by the L.A. Times.
Automakers have been required to provide at least 15 years' worth of data and update the information every seven days at a minimum to keep the tool accurate.
Drivers can look up cars with the 17-digit VIN, which is at the point where the windshield meets the dashboard in the interior left corner. The number should also be on the driver's door post and in vehicle insurance and registration documents.
While it should make it easier for many consumers, the recall search program isn't fullproof. Since it's only available in English and online, some consumers won't be able to look up recall history, leaving unrepaired vehicles on the road.
"When you look at the used car market, it is all colors and flavors of people," said Rosemary Shahan, president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, as quoted by the L.A.Times. "There are many millions who are buying cars to get to work, to get their kids to school and who won't know to look or will find the information isn't in their language."
Federal regulators have been cracking down on car companies after massive recalls this year. General Motors, which has recalled around 26 million vehicles in the country in 2014, has been under investigation by NHTSA officials as well as the Justice Department.
The aim is that the new search program will reduce "recall fatigue" especially in a year when consumers are likely overwhelmed by mounting recall numbers. Carmakers have issued repair announcements for a record 46 million vehicles so far this year, far surpassing 2004's record of 30.8 million vehicles.
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