Millions Of Unfixed Recalled Cars Put Lives At Risk

Recalls Being Ignored at an Alarming Rate, Especially in Midwest States; Consumers Encouraged to Take Action

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Apr 18, 2013, 05:48 ET

CENTREVILLE, Va., April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from Carfax shows that consumers are at considerable risk due to auto recalls being ignored. In fact, the number of cars for sale online with unfixed recalls increased an average of more than 25% in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. Buyers in these neighboring Midwest states need to be concerned about this disturbing trend. Fortunately, finding open recalls and getting them fixed is easy.

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"Consumers seem to be more aware of this threat, but there's still a long way to go," said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. "Before a car changes hands, there are lots of opportunities for everyone involved to check for open recalls. Yet this data is proof that it's not happening enough. A simple online check and visit with your local dealer is all it takes to help improve public safety."

Pat Gunderson, a grandmother in Florida, tells her story about unknowingly buying a recalled car for her daughter's family. "The wheel fell off when they were pulling into a parking spot after driving on the highway," she says. "I decided to get a Carfax Report and there it was – open recall. If something had happened to them, I had bought this car and said 'here are the keys'. It could have killed them all."

Nationwide, nearly 2.1 million cars with open recalls were for sale online in 2012. Carfax offers a free public service for consumers to check for open recalls at www.mycarfax.com. VIN-specific open recall information reported to Carfax by auto manufacturers also is included on Carfax Vehicle History Reports. Addressing open recalls is vital to a car's safety, performance and resale value.

Carfax encourages everyone – buyers, sellers and car owners – to find and fix open recalls. Get more information about open recalls or share your open recall story on the Carfax Facebook page and Twitter feed and use #openrecalls.

About Carfax (www.carfax.com)
Carfax is the vehicle history expert for used car buyers, sellers and the automotive industry. Carfax created the Vehicle History Report in 1986 and maintains the largest vehicle history database ever assembled, comprising over 11 billion vehicle records from more than 75,000 sources across North America. A Carfax® Vehicle History Report™, the most trusted resource for vehicle history information, is an essential step in the used car buying process. Get free Carfax® Reports from dealers wherever used cars are sold online or look for Carfax Advantage™ dealers in your area and say 'Show Me the Carfax'. For used car buying tips or to purchase a Carfax® Report, visit www.carfax.com.

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SOURCE Carfax