Guest Post  MassDOT, MAPFRE Insurance Reminder: Make Time to Check for Vehicle Recalls

Boston — Now that we’re adjusted to later sunsets with Daylight Saving Time, it’s a perfect opportunity to remember to check your vehicle for safety recalls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently held Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, which is designed to urge drivers to add checking for safety recalls to their springtime to-do list. Drivers should check for recalls twice yearly, which helps keep Americans safe inside and outside the vehicle.

Luckily, checking for recalls is free and easy! You only need your vehicle's 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). NHTSA provides three steps to checking your vehicle for safety recalls:

Step 1: Find your VIN

• 17-digit VIN on the lower left of your car’s windshield or on the label inside your driver-side door jamb
• VIN could also be located on your vehicle’s registration or your insurance documents

Step 2: Search your VIN

• Visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls
• Your search will tell you if there’s any open safety recall and what steps to take

Step 3: Open Recalls

• If you have an open recall, get your vehicle repaired for free immediately
• Follow the steps given by your VIN search

NHTSA has administered over 1,000 safety recalls, affecting nearly 35 million vehicles. Even with these numbers, millions of cars still go unrepaired every year. Another tool you can utilize is NHTSA’s free SaferCar app for Android and iOS. Download the app, add your vehicle and equipment and receive alerts on safety recalls issued. Now is the perfect time to revisit the app if you have already downloaded it and ensure your information is up to date.

MassDOT’s Highway Assistance Program sponsored by MAPFRE Insurance is on patrol to help all motorists, including motorcyclists, on the highways. Patrol operators monitor some of the state’s busiest highways around Metro Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Cape Cod (seasonal). The Highway Assistance Patrol covers 13 major state roadways and interstates, the Emergency Service Patrol covers the Mass Pike (I-90) from New York to Boston and the Incident Response Operators cover the Metropolitan Highway System and tunnels. The Highway Assistance Patrol is in service Monday–Friday between the hours of 6 a.m.–10 a.m. and 3 p.m.–7 p.m. During holidays, there are extended routes in heavy traffic areas. On I-90, and in Boston’s tunnel system, assistance is provided 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

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Your friends at MAPFRE Insurance