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The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is urging residents to check their vehicles for safety recalls. According to the DMV, one in five registered vehicles in New York has an open, unfixed recall, potentially putting drivers at risk. This includes thousands of vehicles equipped with Takata airbags, which have been linked to 28 deaths in the United States.
The Takata airbag recall is the largest in U.S. history, affecting approximately 42 million vehicles. The airbags can explode, sending sharp metal fragments at high speeds. As a result, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and vehicle manufacturers have issued "Do Not Drive" warnings for affected vehicles.
Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner, emphasized the importance of addressing recalls, especially those involving critical safety components like airbags, steering systems, or brakes. "No vehicle safety recall should be overlooked," he said.
New Yorkers can visit the DMV website to access a national safety recall lookup tool. This tool allows users to check for open recalls using their license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN can be found on the car’s registration, insurance card, or on the vehicle itself.
In 2023, there were about 1,000 safety recalls affecting over 34 million vehicles and automotive equipment in the U.S. New York ranks fourth in the nation for vehicles with multiple unfixed recalls, following Texas, California, and Florida.
For more information, visit the New York State DMV website.