If Your Car Is Recalled, Will You Get a Rental?

If you can get a rental car during a recall largely depends on the automaker's policy and/or the dealership. Some manufacturers may provide you with a loaner vehicle or cover the cost of a rental car if the repair is expected to take a significant amount of time. But, they are not mandated by law to do so.

Car dealerships may offer you a loaner car if your car has to stay in the shop for an extended period, but this is at the dealer's discretion, and it's not always guaranteed. You should check with your dealership or the manufacturer directly to understand their specific policies regarding loaner vehicles during recalls. 

As for car rental companies, it's their policy not to rent out recalled vehicles until the manufacturer has implemented a remedy. This ensures that customers are not unknowingly renting a vehicle that has a known safety issue. The federal law also forbids rental car companies from renting out cars within two days of receiving a recall notice.

When a car is recalled, it means that the manufacturer noticed a defect in the model that may affect the safety or operation of the vehicle. In 2022, there were approximately 932 vehicle safety recalls that affected more than 30.8 million vehicles in the United States.

Depending on the nature of the recall, some manufacturers may offer to provide a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, but this isn't always the case. The goal of a recall is to protect consumers from issues that may pose a risk to their safety or the proper function of their vehicle. 

If you want to find out if there's a recall on your vehicle, visit NHTSA.gov's website and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Then you’ll see if there's any ongoing recall related to your car and guide you on what to do next. In order to stay, you should check for open recalls at least twice a year, as (according to NHTSA), hundreds of recalls are issued a year and some recalls are updated. 

In the event of a vehicle recall, you are entitled to certain rights under federal law, which can vary depending on the specifics of the recall. If you're not sure about your rights, you can always consult with a legal professional.

1. Recall remedies are free: According to both FindLaw and Consumer Reports, manufacturers are required to provide a remedy for the recall free of charge.
2. Timely remedies: The remedies offered by manufacturers must be provided within a reasonable amount of time.
3. Age of car: Safety recall repairs should be free of charge on cars that are up to 15 years old. But if a car is older than ten years, it may be up to the owner to get the vehicle repaired at their own expense.
4. Warranty status: Even if your warranty has expired, if a part is subject to recall, it will be replaced or repaired for free.
5. Loaner cars: If the repair is more than trivial, you might be entitled to a loaner car when your vehicle is in service for a recall.

If your car is subject to a recall, the manufacturer will publish a safety recall notice, typically sending a letter to your home. The letter will tell you about the steps you should take next (contacting your dealer to schedule a fix). 

Not every recall is the same, and they can vary in terms of severity, but generally, a recall means that a manufacturer will take corrective action to address a safety issue. They may choose to repair it, replace it, or offer a refund, but you should not be responsible for any expenses associated with the recall. 

Keep in mind that safety issues can be issued on both new and used cars. If you already paid for repairs for a problem that is later recalled, you may be able to get a refund for the cost of service. While it can be inconvenient, it's important to get your car fixed as soon as possible. Recall remedies are provided free of charge and are significant for ensuring your vehicle's safety. 

The role of the dealer is not relevant in recalls, as either the manufacturer will reimburse the store for the recall, provided your vehicle qualifies, or they won't.

This largely depends on the nature of the recall. If the safety issue is severe, the recall notice may explicitly advise against driving the vehicle until the necessary repairs are made. Follow their advice for your safety and the safety of others.

If the recall notice doesn't include a “do not drive” warning, it's generally considered safe for you to continue driving the car. But, you should still try to get the recall issue addressed as soon as possible.

In the United States, it's not illegal to drive a car with an open recall, but regardless of the severity of the recall, it's always recommended to handle the issue quickly to prevent potential accidents or damage. If the dealer can't fix your car immediately due to a lack of parts or other reasons, and you have no other option but to continue driving your recalled vehicle, you should pay careful attention to the recall notices and any changes in your vehicle's performance.

Recalls do not have an expiration date, so even if you learn about a recall on your vehicle late, you're still entitled to a repair, replacement, or refund.

1. Car recalls indicate quality problems

It's a common misconception to believe that car recalls are due to quality issues in the vehicle's manufacturing process. A recall doesn't necessarily mean the vehicle was poorly constructed or that the manufacturer has a systematic issue with quality control. 

Recalls can happen for various reasons, including new discoveries about how certain car components behave under specific conditions, the use of defective parts from a supplier, or design oversights that only become evident after the vehicle has been on the road for some time. Many recalls are sometimes just preventative steps to address potential safety risks before they cause problems. Recalls can also happen to high-end car models known for their excellent quality and craftsmanship.

2. A loaner vehicle is guaranteed 

A second common misconception is that a loaner vehicle will always be provided by the dealership while your car is being repaired. This is not necessarily true.

The availability of loaner vehicles is different from one dealership to another. Some dealerships might offer loaner cars as a courtesy to their customers, but they are not legally obligated to do so unless it's specified in your sales contract.

And even if a dealership offers loaner cars, there's no guarantee that a particular model will be available at any given time. You should check with your dealership about their specific loaner car policy before assuming that a replacement vehicle will be provided.

3. Recalls only apply to new cars

Car recalls can happen to any vehicle, regardless of its age. If a safety issue is discovered, even years after the model has been released, the manufacturer is obligated to issue a recall. All car owners should keep in mind, not just the ones with new vehicles, to keep track of any potential recalls. 

This can be done by regularly checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) database or registering your vehicle with the manufacturer to receive updates. Don't assume that just because your vehicle isn't brand new, it won't be subject to a recall. Always stay informed and take action if a recall is issued for your vehicle.

4. Ignoring a recall won't have consequences

Ignoring a recall can come with serious consequences. Primarily, it could put the safety of you and your passengers at risk. Recalls are issued because a defect that affects safety has been identified. If you're ignoring a recall, you're choosing to keep driving a car that has known safety issues.

In addition, ignoring a recall could potentially reduce the resale value of your car. If you try to sell your car and potential buyers find out there was an unresolved recall on the vehicle, they might not want to purchase it anymore. Lastly, in some cases, ignoring a recall could impact your car insurance. Insurers can increase premiums or even deny claims for damage related to a known recall if it was not addressed.

A recall is there to ensure your safety, and you should always take them seriously and seek to have the issue fixed as soon as possible. If your car has been recalled, and you don't get a rental car, there are several steps that you can take:

1. Contact your local dealership: Start by contacting the dealership where you purchased your car. Some manufacturers' recall programs might provide a loaner while your car is being repaired. However, the availability of a loaner car varies and is not guaranteed.
2. Limit car usage: If the recall notice states that your car is unsafe to drive or recommends limiting its use, heed this advice. It's important to prioritize your safety first.
3. Use alternatives like FINN: If a loaner car is not available and your vehicle is unsafe to drive, consider a FINN car subscription, where you can choose from a wide range of new vehicles (SUVs, sedans, and more) with insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance included. 
4. Seek reimbursement: If you have already paid for repairs that are later covered by a recall, you might be eligible for reimbursement. Check with the manufacturer or dealership for details.
5. Consider legal advice: If you're having trouble getting a rental car or facing significant inconvenience due to the recall, consider seeking legal advice. Some consumer protection laws may apply to your situation.
6. Be patient: Recall repairs can take time, especially if many vehicles are affected. Be patient and stay in contact with your dealership for updates.