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 with open recalls. There is no federal law stopping them.

Federal law only bans the sale of new cars with open safety recalls. Rental companies must also fix recalls before renting cars. But for used cars, there’s no rule. Dealers can legally sell them without fixing anything. They don’t even have to tell you.

That’s right — you could buy a used car today with a dangerous defect, and the dealer may never mention it.

Why Is This Legal?

Many buyers think it’s illegal. But U.S. law focuses more on new car sales and rental fleets. Used car sales fall into a gray area. Some states have local consumer laws that stop dealers from selling unsafe vehicles. Others don’t.

If a dealer knowingly sells a car with a major risk, you might have a case under consumer fraud or negligence laws. But most buyers never know until it’s too late.

That’s why it’s up to you to check the recall status before buying.

How To Check If a Car Has an Open Recall

Checking is easy and free. You just need the car’s VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number).

Go to the NHTSA recall website. Type the VIN in the search box. It shows if the car has any open recalls. You can also check recall history by brand and model.

Other tools like Carfax and AutoCheck show recall info too. In fact, Carfax says more than 58 million vehicles in the U.S. still have open recalls. That’s a lot of risk on the road.

Manufacturers also have recall lookup tools on their websites. You’ll usually find it under “Owners” or “Support.”

Even if you don’t own the car yet, you can use the VIN to check before you buy.

Should You Buy a Car With an Open Recall?

The short answer — it depends.

Some recalls are minor. Others are life-threatening. For example, Toyota once recalled 33,000 cars just because the sticker on the door had the wrong weight info. That’s not dangerous unless you overload the car.

If the recall is small, it could actually help you get a better deal. Some dealers may lower the price because many buyers avoid cars with open recalls.

But if the recall is serious — like airbag or brake failure — stay away until it’s fixed.

What Can Happen If You Ignore It

Ignoring a recall can be deadly. Remember the Takata airbag issue? It caused deaths around the world. Many of those cars were sold used with open recalls.

Even small recalls can lead to big problems. A leaking fuel line, bad wiring, or weak brakes can cause accidents. It’s not worth the risk.

If you already bought a car, check for recalls right away. You can take it to a local dealer to get it fixed — for free.

Dealers and Ethics

Not all dealers are bad. Many honest ones fix recalls before selling cars. They care about their name and customers.

But some ignore the rules. They just want to sell fast and make money. That’s why you can’t rely only on what the dealer says. Always double-check yourself.

Tips Before You Buy

  1. Check the VIN — Use NHTSA or Carfax.

  2. Ask the dealer — Have they fixed all recalls?

  3. Get a written report — Proof of recall repair.

  4. Avoid shady sellers — If they hide info, walk away.

  5. Test drive safely — Listen for odd sounds or smells.

If the dealer refuses to give info or acts defensive, that’s a red flag.

Why Some Dealers Still Sell Recalled Cars

Fixing recalls costs time. Dealers have to book repairs, wait for parts, and spend labor hours. Some just don’t want to deal with it.

They think, “It’s legal, so why bother?” That’s why awareness matters. If buyers stop accepting recalled cars, dealers will have to change.

Final Thoughts

Buying a used car is exciting. But safety comes first. Open recalls are not rare — they’re everywhere. Some are harmless, but others are deadly.

Always check before you buy. The tools are free and easy to use. Don’t let a shiny paint job fool you. Safety should always come before price.

If a dealer tries to sell a car with an open recall, ask them to fix it first. Or better yet, look for a safer choice.

Protect your family, your wallet, and your peace of mind.

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