This year, millions more lives may be at risk from people driving and buying vehicles with unfixed safety recalls, says Carfax.
More than 63 million recalled vehicles now are in use across the country, a 34 percent increase from 2016, according to Carfax. The annual research also suggests this issue affects nearly one in three vehicles in Texas, the highest rate in the nation. Behind Hawaii, the other Gulf Coast states of Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama round out the top five.
In addition, people in California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York have the most vehicles with open recalls.
"Reducing the number of open recalls on the road is an ongoing effort," said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. "Safety is our number one concern. Carfax, manufacturers and government are working together to make it easier for drivers to get accurate information and timely alerts about open recalls. It may be inconvenient, but people driving recalled cars should make getting them fixed a high priority."
The new data also suggests that family life may be a factor for some vehicle owners not knowing about a recall or getting it fixed. Minivans and SUVs – family-oriented vehicles – are the ones most likely to have unfixed recalls.
With myCarfax.com, vehicle owners simply enter their license plate, a feature unique to the service, or VIN to get started. The service sends recall alerts to users' mobile devices or email for up to five saved vehicles. In addition, anyone worried about buying a car with an unfixed recall can shop with confidence at carfax.com, according to the company. Every vehicle listed for sale there comes with a free Carfax Report, which includes open recall information reported to Carfax.
