Over 3.2 million vehicles underreported for safety recalls

An investigation has found that millions of cars and vans on the road are potentially unsafe due to unaddressed safety recalls. Over 3.2 million vehicles have not been repaired since recalls were issued between 2018 and 2023. The report comes from Auto Data Solutions and highlights a major issue with dealerships failing to notify customers about these recalls. Dealerships struggle to keep track of customer information, leaving many drivers unaware that their vehicles are affected. National records show that between 2018 and 2023, out of 14.8 million vehicles recalled, about 21.9% still have outstanding safety issues. This problem may worsen if dealers do not improve their customer contact management. Safety recalls can vary in severity, with some requiring immediate attention. Recently, Ford recalled over 26,000 Kuga plug-in hybrid cars due to fire risks related to battery issues. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can mandate recalls for safety concerns, but dealerships often fail to adequately inform drivers. Many drivers miss recall notifications because of address changes or they simply do not open the letters. Some recalls are also delayed until the next scheduled service, which can extend for years. Poor management of customer databases by dealerships exacerbates this issue. As a response, experts urge dealers to enhance their tracking systems. If the government introduces stricter rules, such as automatic failures for unaddressed recalls during MOT inspections, dealerships could face overwhelming demand to repair vehicles. Drivers should be aware that ignoring a recall can impact their car insurance. If an accident is caused by an unaddressed safety issue, insurers may deny claims. Additionally, police can impose fines for driving a vehicle with serious recalls. Drivers can check if their vehicles are affected by looking up their registration number on official government websites or by contacting local dealerships.