Automatic vehicle recall notification service unveiled
The U.S. Department of Transportation has unveiled a new automated alert system that allows vehicle owners to be instantly informed of safety recalls. The recall alerts can be received via e-mail or RSS-feed on personal computers, cell phones, or PDAs for no charge.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 600 vehicle recalls each year, and one in four motorists ignore these recalls when they are announced. The new alert system allows consumers to receive all vehicle recalls as they are made public or personalize the recall alerts to specific vehicles.
The new recall notification system is an expansion of the NHTSA’s consumer safety communications program; earlier this year, the NHTSA released an automated recall system for child safety seats and tires.
To start receiving recall alerts, visit www.safercar.gov <http://www.safercar.gov> and select the “Email recall notifications” option.