A new service allows drivers to go online to check if their cars have been recalled or repaired.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has created a search tool for car owners and buyers to find out if a certain car has been recalled and why, according to The Los Angeles Times. The federal program is available on the agency's website.
There are several requirements for car companies that want to use the service, such as providing at least 15 years of data and frequently updating their information every seven days.
David Friedman, deputy administrator of NHTSA, said the program serves to give drivers "the peace of mind knowing that the vehicle they own, or that they are thinking of buying or renting, is free of safety defects."
Drivers can find out about recalls by entering in their vehicle identification number (VIN) located on the dashboard near the windshield, and also on the driver's door post near the latch, CBS Local reported.
Data will alert drivers about a recall, but if no data is found, then there are no active recalls. NHTSA said those who are looking to buy used cars can view the status of their repairs, as well.
So far, almost 46 million vehicles have been recalled in the U.S. this year, which broke the country's record of 30.8 million vehicles in 2004, The Los Angeles Times reported. NHTSA officials are looking to offer the new service to help drivers look up information about cars and prevent "recall fatigue."
Friedman said another issue that drivers are facing is that not enough of them are getting their cars repaired, which puts themselves and other drivers and passengers in danger. Almost 25% of recalled cars still need to be fixed within 18 months of the announcement.
Carroll Lachnit, consumer advice editor at auto information site Edmunds.com, said the search tool helps drivers find out if their car was covered when learning about a recall of their make and model, CBS Local reported.
"It's a huge step forward," Lachnit said.
The service has received support from most automakers, including General Motors, a company that has recalled nearly 26 million vehicles in the U.S. this year, The Los Angeles Times reported.
"We're glad to make VIN lookup for consumers easier," said Alan Adler, spokesman for GM.
NHTSA officials said the website will not collect any personal information about drivers, and that regulators cannot track people who have checked a vehicle's status.
"I am encouraging consumers to check it out before they buy a used car from anybody- a private party or a dealer," said Rosemary Shahan, president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety.
