How to Use the Auto Safety Hotline

The National Auto Safety Hotline is a free service that allows drivers to identify, learn about and report safety problems with their vehicles. The Auto Safety Hotline has information about auto parts that may have problems and recalls on most vehicles manufactured after 1995. The hotline also supplies crash test information for your car's make and model.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Call the National Auto Safety Hotline between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern Standard time to speak with a live representative. An answering machine is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. English and Spanish speaking operators are available at 1-800-424-9393. Hearing impaired customers call 1-800-424-9153 for a teleprinter.

2. Give your make, model and year of your vehicle to the operator. The operator looks up your vehicle and tells you any problems with the vehicle such as brakes, wiring or factory tire issues.

3. Inform the hotline operator of any problems that have occurred with your vehicle. Include safety defects or any other safety issues like brakes, seat belts, airbags, tires, faulty wiring or other issues that cause the vehicle or the passengers danger.

4. Use the automated system to receive information about recalls for your vehicle. The safety hotline has a complete list of all factory recalls for all motor vehicles.

5. Enter your fax number to receive crash test information, tire quality grading and child safety reports from the hotline.

Tips & Warnings

• All safety related problems on a vehicle can be repaired by the manufacturer at no cost to the owner of the vehicle.

Resources

• Find information about the Auto Safety Hotline at The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.