A Safety Problem You Can Fix for Free

Most fleet repairs cost money. Recall repairs do not. Still, many work trucks and vans keep running with open safety recalls. The fix is free and waiting at the nearest dealer. However, nobody on the team has checked.

Recalls are more common than many managers think. According to NHTSA’s 2024 Annual Recalls Report, there were 950 vehicle recalls in 2024. Together, they covered more than 29.3 million vehicles. That is a lot of trucks, vans, and pickups with a known defect.

Why Recalls Slip Through the Cracks

Recall notices often get lost on the way to the right person. NHTSA explains that automakers mail notices to owners within 60 days of telling the agency about a recall. In a fleet, though, that letter may land at a leasing company or an old office address. Then it sits in a pile while the truck keeps working.

As a result, many owners never complete the repair. NHTSA’s report shows average vehicle recall completion rates mostly between about 62% and 73% in recent years. In other words, roughly one in three recalled vehicles may still be on the road without the repair.

Check Your Whole Fleet in Minutes

Fortunately, checking is easy. NHTSA offers a free lookup tool on its recalls page. You type in a vehicle’s 17-character VIN. Then the tool shows any unrepaired safety recalls for that truck. For fleets, the best part is the bulk search. You can enter up to 100 VINs at once.

Keep a few limits in mind. The tool does not show recalls older than 15 years. Also, some very new recalls may not appear right away. For that reason, run the check again every few months, not just once.

Turn on Automatic Alerts

Next, stop relying on the mail. NHTSA’s free SaferCar app sends a phone alert when a recall affects a vehicle you entered. In addition, some truck makers send recall alerts through their own software. For example, Ford Pro Telematics lists recall information among its vehicle health alerts. If you already pay for telematics, ask your provider whether it offers the same feature.

Schedule the Fix Like Any Other Service

Once you find an open recall, call a local dealer. NHTSA says owners can get the recalled part fixed for free. Even so, parts can take time to arrive. So book the visit early, and pair it with a planned oil change or inspection when you can. That way, one trip to the shop handles both jobs.

Finally, add a recall check to your regular maintenance routine. Include it when you buy a used truck, too. A few minutes with a VIN list can catch a safety defect before it causes a breakdown or a crash.

Also read: A Camera Rollout That Has a Lesson for Every Contractor Running Pickups and Vans