Regulation & Safety

Older vehicles can escape recalls' nets

Stephanie Erdman, whose eye was damaged by shrapnel when the airbag inflator in her used Civic exploded, told Congress that Honda mailed a recall notice to the wrong address. (BLOOMBERG)
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December 22, 2014 05:00 AM
Recalls' shortcomings

A 2011 report by the Government Accountability Office explains why U.S. recall completion rates range from a lackluster 55% to 75%.

- Many owners don't maintain up-to-date addresses with state vehicle registration offices.

- The accuracy of customer addresses erodes as vehicles change hands.

- Some states require the vehicle owner's signature before contact information can be released.

Stephanie Erdman’s tragic car crash starkly illustrates the biggest recall headache for dealers and automakers: old cars.

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