Product recalls are a request to return a product after the discovery of safety issues or product defects that could harm the consumer or put the manufacturer at risk of legal action. Recalls are usually an attempt by a company to limit the ruination of its image in connection with any cases of negligence.
Likewise, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other government agencies are also responsible for testing products to ensure they won’t harm consumers. If these agencies find something amiss, they may inform the manufacturer of the problem so the company can issue a recall on its own.
During a recall, usually, a manufacturer will send a letter to consumers informing them of the issue and where they can get the problem fixed. With cars, the dealer will typically make the alterations to a consumer’s vehicle to ensure it is up to date and has no defective parts. However, in this type of situation, is a consumer responsible for paying for repairs?
According to the law, the manufacturer who made the error should be responsible for remedying the situation, including paying for the replacement parts and service costs. If a device on your vehicle is recalled, the first thing a customer should do is take that car to the nearest dealership. Once at the dealership, you are not obligated to pay for any repairs.
If the dealership tries to tag on extra fees or asks you to pay for a repair directly related to the recall, you can and should refuse to pay. If this happens, contact the manufacturer directly. The company should be paying the dealership to fix your vehicle, so there is no need for you to pay as well.
However, if you have already paid for the repair of the recalled part and the fix occurred less than one year before the recall, the manufacturer is obligated to reimburse you for the cost of the repair as long as the fix was done at the dealership.
If you were harmed by a defective part, talk to one of our skilled Denver auto defect attorneys as soon as possible. We can help you seek compensation for your injuries and medical costs. Let us see how we can help you.
Contact us at (888) 711-5947 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation with us today.
