It is against federal law to sell a new car with an unrepaired recall. Likewise, it is against federal law to rent a car with a unrepaired recall—or sell a rental car with unrepaired recall. But there is no federal statute prohibiting a used car from being sold with an unpaired recall—and currently, despite a variety of state laws which are aimed at stopping such deceptive practices, used car dealers (and sometimes even cities and states) are selling cars with unrepaired recalls on them every single day. The Center opposes this practice and believes used cars should have play by the same rules as new cars when it comes to recalls.
Spotlight: Why is the Federal Government selling unsafe cars?
Center for Auto Safety Statement: House of Representatives Acts to Stop Government Sale of Recalled Cars. July 31, 2020.
Recalled cars being sold by feds now have warning notices. Experts say that’s not enough. February 10, 2020. WJLA.
Key Stories
‘I’m paying for a deathtrap!’ Used cars sold in Tampa Bay with unrepaired safety recalls. November 5, 2019. WFLA.
New report raises concern about unfixed safety recalls at major car dealerships. October 16, 2019. KOMO News.
How to make sure a used car is safe. October 15, 2019. NBC Better.
More Links
RELEASE: Auto Safety / Consumer Organizations Sue Federal Trade Commission,
Over Decision Allowing General Motors and Car Dealerships to Engage in False
Advertising of Unrepaired Recalled “Certified” Used Cars.
NEWS:
Used car dealers didn’t want to fix deadly defects, so they wrote a law to avoid it. June 19, 2019. USA Today.
Why are there so many unresolved car recalls? June 14, 2019. 6WBRC.
Risks of Buying a Used Car and What the Dealership Isn’t Telling You. NBC Los Angeles. January 10, 2019.
Fire risk on wheels. August 9, 2018. Sacramento News & Review.
Cars with recalls haven’t only been sold by dealers. City- and state-run auctions have them too. June 5, 2018. Spectrum News.
CarMax Loses Round in Dispute Over Recalled Cars. February 28, 2018.The Drive.
Tennessee law fuels used-car recall fight. December 23, 2017. Automotive News
Used Car Roulette. September 2017. The Frontier Group.
For more information on avoiding recalled vehicles, check out the Center for Auto Safety’s news archive for recalled vehicles: LINK