Report finds 57 million U.S. vehicles have open recalls

Millions of vehicles being acquired, retailed and serviced by dealers this year may have potentially dangerous unfixed recalls. According to Carfax, more than 57 million recalled vehicles – greater than one out of every five vehicles in the U.S. – currently are in use across the country.

The company’s annual research also suggests that the southern parts of the country are most likely to have cars with open recalls. Southern states like Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Alabama and Arizona are some of the top states with the highest open recall percentages.

California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York have the most vehicles with open recalls.

“For more than two decades, Carfax has supported the manufacturers’ efforts to get recalled cars fixed,” said Dick Raines, president of Carfax. “Every day we help thousands of dealers identify vehicles with open recalls. We also alert millions of drivers about recalls on their vehicles so they can bring them to dealers to be fixed. Safety is our number one concern.”

Carfax offers free services to help notify dealers and about open recalls. Carfax Advantage dealers have their inventory continuously monitored for recalls by Carfax free of charge and get regular reports identifying which vehicles have open recalls. Making this information readily available for dealers can help boost closure rates of open recalls.

The new data also suggests that work-life balance may be a factor for some vehicle owners not knowing about a recall or getting it fixed. Light trucks and SUVs – vehicles often used by businesses and busy families – are the ones most likely to have unfixed recalls.

“Carfax told me the car had an open recall. I found out that it was the driver’s airbag,” said consumer Robert V. in Redmond, Ore. “After purchasing the car it went to the local BMW dealer where it was replaced in less than an hour. I was treated royally, chatted about the car and soon was on my way. I did appreciate knowing beforehand.”

Dealers can inform online shoppers about open recalls by listing their vehicles for sale on Carfax Used Car Listings. Every vehicle listed for sale on carfax.com includes the Carfax Report dealers run for each vehicle, which includes open recall information reported to Carfax and helps consumers buy with confidence.