On Feb. 13, Ford Motor Company announced a massive recall of 221,000 F-150 trucks because of a potential transmission downshift issue that can increase the chance of a crash. The trucks affected have six-speed automatic transmissions and were built between the years of 2011 and 2013. The malfunction causes an unintended downshift into first gear, which can cause loss of control of the vehicle. One person has already reported a case of whiplash due to the fault.
Owners should receive notification from dealerships in March.
Considering all of the Ford F-series trucks are extremely popular in Alberta, this is a recall to pay attention to. In fact, all vehicle recalls should be paid close attention to, as they are only implemented when necessary and when the safety of owners and passengers are in jeopardy. Major media outlets tend to publicize vehicle recall notices, which is helpful for getting the word out. In addition, Transport Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database allows you to look up the make and model of your vehicle to see if there have been any notices put out requiring you to contact a dealer for an appointment. No matter how old (or new) your vehicle is, Transport Canada’s website is worth checking often, as recalls can occur at any time.
Transport Canada also lists recalls for tires and child and safety seats.
Other large vehicle recalls that have occurred lately include:
- The 2017 to 2019 models of the Honda Ridgeline due to problems with the fuel pump.
- The 2013 to 2017 models of the Ram 3500 pickup truck due to a loose nut causing loss of steering control.
- Honda Accord and Acura MDX and TLX vehicles equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine.
- Lincoln Continentals built between 2017 and 2019 with faulty door latches.
- The 2015 to 2017 Nissan Murano, 2016 and 2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017 through 2018 Nissan Pathfinder and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles due to a risk of fire.
If Your Vehicle is Recalled …
The recall process most commonly starts when manufacturers become aware of a problem and voluntarily begin the process of bringing vehicles in to be repaired.
Recalls can also be set in motion when consumers report specific defects to auto manufacturers which suggest an ongoing issue may be present. For example, multiple owners of a particular year, make and model may report that the electronic stability control system does not activate, or that the passenger airbags do not deploy. When such reports surface in large numbers, the manufacturer is then aware of a possible problem and is legally obligated to issue a recall notice.
If your vehicle has been recalled you should receive a letter from the car’s manufacturer with a description of the defect, the risks associated with the defect, potential warning signs, what repairs will be carried out and instructions regarding what you should do next. To make sure you receive the appropriate notification you should always register your vehicle with the manufacturer, which can be done on each producer’s website.
If your car has been recalled you will be asked to take your car to a certified dealer to set up an appointment. It is best to have this done as soon as possible. There will be some inconvenience, as you will of course be without your vehicle for a few days, however vehicles that have been recalled must be repaired for no cost to the owner and often leave your car in better shape than it was.
Some car insurance packages may also cover the cost of a rental vehicle.
Will a Vehicle Recall Affect my Insurance?
Vehicle recalls will not affect your car insurance rates, as insurance providers do not have to get involved in the repair process. However, if you choose to ignore a recall, it’s possible your car safety rating will be negatively affected and your rates could go up. And if you are in an accident that is a direct result of a recall notice being disregarded your rates could go up even more.
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