# Auto Recall: What are my obligations/responsibilities? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 13, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281 "2018-09-13T17:57:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/41 "2018-09-17T01:19:22Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I keep getting recall notices for my Honda Civic. > Apparently, the airbag may explode and turn into deadly metal shrapnel. > > If I want it fixed I need to go spend a day at the Honda Service center. They actually managed to find a location in the NYC area that isn’t within walking distance of anything. It’s cramped and miserable with lousy coffee, not enough seats and salesmen that harass you constantly. Appointments are meaningless, everything is first come first serve regardless. The only reason they make them is to give their salesman a chance to review your info before you come in. Did I mention that the salesman harass you constantly? The favorite trick is that they will call your name and you’ll go into the office thinking that your car is ready. But it’s just a trick to get you in front of the guy that wants to sell you a new car. Then you lose your precious seat in the waiting area. > They do have entertainment of sorts. Every single time I’ve been there a customer conflict occurs that is serious enough to merit calling the police. > > Bit I get these recall notices and I think to myself that the metal shrapnel sounds less painful than a visit to the service center. this defect has killed [20 people so far.](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/20th-death-from-faulty-takata-air-bags-reported-by-honda/) there are at least a dozen Honda dealers in the NYC area. Get it fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/42 "2018-09-17T02:31:22Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > They actually managed to find a location in the NYC area that isn’t within walking distance of anything. Are you saying that Honda will only do the repair at a specific service center? That’s not how it usually works. Just call up the center most convenient for you and schedule an appointment. You don’t need to have any past history with them (unless Honda operates very strangely). Also, ask 'em for an Uber or Lyft voucher. They’re liable to have some sort of arrangement. There’s no reason for you to stick around in any case. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/43 "2018-09-17T16:55:24Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > Recalls are often for things you personally would want done: leaking fuel lines, bad airbags, failing safety belts, etc. If you ignore them, you’re taking a chance of your car catching fire, airbags not going off in accidents, etc. I imagine you could be liable if you didn’t do the recall and the resulting failure ended up causing an injury or damage. For example, if you ignore a recall about leaking fuel lines and then later your car catches fire and kills someone, you might get sued and they could look up if you had the recall performed. They could argue that this was a known liability which you ignored. > > I agree that auto shops can be dicey to work with, but you should be covered here. You shouldn’t have to pay for anything. They may also point out other things which need service (brakes, oil change, etc), but you shouldn’t need to get it taken care of if you don’t want. Usually if it’s not serious, they’ll just issue a TSB telling the techs how to fix it, but they won’t issue a recall. FWIW, getting the dash-mounted claymore mine replaced only took a half day in total on my Dodge pickup. The more annoying part was them bugging me for a few months offering to buy my pickup and trying to sell me a new one. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/44 "2018-09-17T17:15:05Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Usually if it’s not serious, they’ll just issue a TSB telling the techs how to fix it, but they won’t issue a recall. two separate things. **Recalls** are (nearly always) legally mandated actions to repair vehicles with a safety defect or some other non-compliance issue (e.g. emissions.) they are to be done on all affected vehicles regardless of warranty status or ownership. **TSBs** (technician service bulletins) are simply “heads up” documents to dealer service departments. basically they say “we’re seeing higher than expected rate of this issue, so if a customer comes in with this particular concern check these items before starting normal diagnostics.” TSBs don’t mean _all_ of the cars will have an issue. plus, TSB repairs are only covered by the manufacturer if the vehicle is under warranty. ---
**Author:** ![Roy\_Batty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Roy\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roy_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/45 "2018-09-17T18:04:54Z")
Again, these companies can take their fucking recalls and shove them up their collective asses. If an auto company is incompetent enough to make a vehicle that needs a recall, that’s on them. There is also no certainty that they’ll fix the “recalled” problem properly; they may make another mistake and cause another screw up. > [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I keep getting recall notices for my Honda Civic. Apparently, the airbag may explode and turn into deadly metal shrapnel. > > If I want it fixed I need to go spend a day at the Honda Service center. They actually managed to find a location in the NYC area that isn’t within walking distance of anything. It’s cramped and miserable with lousy coffee, not enough seats and salesmen that harass you constantly. Appointments are meaningless, everything is first come first serve regardless. The only reason they make them is to give their salesman a chance to review your info before you come in. Did I mention that the salesman harass you constantly? The favorite trick is that they will call your name and you’ll go into the office thinking that your car is ready. But it’s just a trick to get you in front of the guy that wants to sell you a new car. Then you lose your precious seat in the waiting area. The above description is exactly why I hate taking my car to the dealer to be serviced. I don’t have time to do so, and if I do they’ll keep it all day - and I need my vehicle to get around. I also can’t afford to take a day off. Also, whenever I take the car in to be serviced they’ll make up “problems” with the car that are complete lies, in order to sell me things I don’t need. Fuck all of these companies. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/46 "2018-09-17T18:15:11Z")
> [@Roy\_Batty](#): > > Again, these companies can take their fucking recalls and shove them up their collective asses. If an auto company is incompetent enough to make a vehicle that needs a recall, that’s on them. > > There is also no certainty that they’ll fix the “recalled” problem properly; they may make another mistake and cause another screw up. > > The above description is exactly why I hate taking my car to the dealer to be serviced. I don’t have time to do so, and if I do they’ll keep it all day - and I need my vehicle to get around. I also can’t afford to take a day off. > > Also, whenever I take the car in to be serviced they’ll make up “problems” with the car that are complete lies, in order to sell me things I don’t need. Fuck all of these companies. Your ignorance regarding auto recalls is noted. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/47 "2018-09-17T18:27:47Z")
> [@Roy\_Batty](#): > > Again, these companies can take their fucking recalls and shove them up their collective asses. If an auto company is incompetent enough to make a vehicle that needs a recall, that’s on them. yes, that’s why they legally have to fix them at no cost to the owner. what the hell is your problem? modern cars are incredibly complex machines, it’s unreasonable to expect that there will _never_ be a design flaw in any of them. and I don’t understand what makes you think you’re “sticking it to them” by not getting the repair done. You’re only putting yourself at risk. in fact, if you did want to “stick it to them” then the best way is to have the recall repair done because that takes money out of their pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Roy\_Batty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Roy\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roy_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/48 "2018-09-17T18:40:43Z")
Wow - I hit some nerves on here! Wow, you people are getting very defensive, and acted very predictably in your responses. GOTCHA!!! 😃 Many car mechanics I’ve had the misfortune to deal with are THE most dishonest, incompetent, unadulterated pricks I’ve ever dealt with in my life. They will lie to you about almost everything in order to rip you off. Fuck you all. I’m sure that the reason so many on here are getting so defensive is because some of them work for Honda - well, if you do, you can happily go fuck yourselves. Honda is one of the worst car companies in the world, with some of the worst customer service & some of the most dishonest employees. ---
**Author:** ![Roy\_Batty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Roy\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roy_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/49 "2018-09-17T18:53:55Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > what the hell is your problem? modern cars are incredibly complex machines, it’s unreasonable to expect that there will _never_ be a design flaw in any of them. and I don’t understand what makes you think you’re “sticking it to them” by not getting the repair done. You’re only putting yourself at risk. in fact, if you did want to “stick it to them” then the best way is to have the recall repair done because that takes money out of their pocket. I have not had any recalls. However, the idea of a recall happening at all pisses me off. Also, as I said, if I had to take my car in for a recall I have 0 assurance that they wouldn’t screw something ELSE Up. And, I have no way of knowing if they would fix the original problem. Almost all of the mechanics I’ve dealt with are EXTREMELY incompetent, and couldn’t find their asses with both hands. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/50 "2018-09-17T19:53:00Z")
**Warning Issued** **Roy Batty** , your earlier posts were unnecessarily hostile for this topic and forum. However, this one crosses the line into being a jerk. So now you’ve made your point, so you need to dial it way back or stay out of this thread. > [@Roy\_Batty](#): > > Wow - I hit some nerves on here! Wow, you people are getting very defensive, and acted very predictably in your responses. GOTCHA!!! 😃 > > Many car mechanics I’ve had the misfortune to deal with are THE most dishonest, incompetent, unadulterated pricks I’ve ever dealt with in my life. They will lie to you about almost everything in order to rip you off. Fuck you all. > > I’m sure that the reason so many on here are getting so defensive is because some of them work for Honda - well, if you do, you can happily go fuck yourselves. Honda is one of the worst car companies in the world, with some of the worst customer service & some of the most dishonest employees. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/51 "2018-09-17T23:56:10Z")
Interesting update: I got an email that said the parts have been shipped to the repair place. But I didn’t send the signed agreement. 😕 I guess it wasn’t that important. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/52 "2018-09-18T00:45:59Z")
> [@Roy\_Batty](#): > > And, I have no way of knowing if they would fix the original problem. Then you are no worse off than before, except that if you are injured, you now have quite a bit of legal recourse available. There is quite a juicy lawsuit awaiting if you are injured because the dealer lied about the repair. On the other hand, you probably have zero recourse if it can be shown that you deliberately ignored the recall notice. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/53 "2018-09-18T01:49:46Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Your insurance may be invalid if you do not have the recall repairs done. Also, if you ever intend to sell this car, you will have to disclose that you did not have this safety recall done. Otherwise you might be liable if it causes a problem for the buyer. Plus disclosing that you skipped this safety fix will ,ake buyers wonder about what other normal maintenance you skipped – and tend to look at other sellers instead. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/54 "2018-09-18T11:36:20Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > modern cars are incredibly complex machines, it’s unreasonable to expect that there will _never_ be a design flaw in any of them. It’s not just that. We don’t build our own fires, ignition switches, or airbags. It’s often the case that our suppliers have screwed up. Say, you don’t work for Honda, do you? I know that _I_ don’t! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281/55 "2018-09-18T15:35:12Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > two separate things. > > **Recalls** are (nearly always) legally mandated actions to repair vehicles with a safety defect or some other non-compliance issue (e.g. emissions.) they are to be done on all affected vehicles regardless of warranty status or ownership. > > **TSBs** (technician service bulletins) are simply “heads up” documents to dealer service departments. basically they say “we’re seeing higher than expected rate of this issue, so if a customer comes in with this particular concern check these items before starting normal diagnostics.” TSBs don’t mean _all_ of the cars will have an issue. plus, TSB repairs are only covered by the manufacturer if the vehicle is under warranty. Sure- my point was that serious problems tend to spawn recalls and probably associated TSBs, while not serious problems tend to only spawn TSBs, not that they’re the same thing. For example, my truck has had a couple of recalls- one for a back axle problem (bad batch of parts), and the aforementioned Takata airbag. It also has a small number of TSBs out there for things that may be more or less defective, but aren’t safety related or critical. One that I can remember is that my truck is prone to having the condenser drain pan clog up and having funky smells emanate from the A/C vents as a result. They issued a TSB on how to unclog it and prevent it from happening, but if it happens to me, and I want it fixed, I have to take it in and pay. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/auto-recall-what-are-my-obligations-responsibilities/821281.md?page=2)