Can Dealers Sell Cars With Open Recalls?

Introduction Buying a car is a big deal. You check the model, the price, and the color. But one thing many people forget is to check for open recalls . Every year, millions of cars are recalled in the U.S. In 2024 alone, more than 10 million cars had safety recalls. Some of these cars are still on the road. Even worse, some dealers keep selling them — and yes, it’s legal in many cases. Let’s take a closer look at what an open recall is, how it works, and what buyers should know before paying for that “dream car.” What Is an Open Recall? A recall means a car has a known problem that can risk safety or performance. It could be a bad airbag, a fuel leak, or a brake issue. When a recall happens, the maker must fix it for free. An open recall means the issue has not been fixed yet. The car still has that problem. Many used cars for sale today have one or more open recalls. Can Dealers Sell Cars With Open Recalls? Here’s the shocking truth — yes , used car dealers can sell cars wi...