LANSING (WWJ) - Authorities are urging drivers in Michigan the check their vehicle for airbag recalls in an effort to prevent serious injury or death as hundreds of thousands of vehicles are documented to have recalls that have not been fixed.
Gov. Whitmer has designated June as Airbag Recall Repair Month in Michigan in partnership with Check To Protect and local Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealers in an effort to keep drivers safe.
"It’s critical that every driver check their vehicle as hot summer weather can increase the risk associated with defective recalled airbags," Check To Protect Spokesman Scott Lynch said.
"When exposed over time to heat and humidity, recalled airbags can transform from life-saving devices to life-threatening ones – in a crash, they could rupture and cause injury or death."
Check to Protect said areas in Michigan that indicated the highest number of open airbag recalls are underserved areas with higher poverty rates.
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According to research, Check To Protect said these communities are most at risk due as residents may not know about recalls, they may lack relationships with car dealers or may be unable to complete recall repairs due to work and family schedules.
"Moreover, drivers of older or used vehicles are harder to reach by conventional recall outreach measures and are less likely to know the recall status of their vehicles," Check To Protect said.
Authorities are reminding Michigan drivers that it is "fast, free and easy" to check if their vehicle's airbag falls under a recall and needs to be repaired.
"It is the responsibility of all who put themselves behind the wheel to make safety a priority by getting their defective airbags repaired immediately," Gov. Whitmer said in a press release. "[I urge] all citizens of our community to become aware of the inherent danger of unrepaired airbag recalls, and for drivers and passengers alike to ensure each other’s safety through a commitment to recall awareness and immediate action to fix open recalls."
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Here's what drivers need to know:
Check for Recalls:
• Visit CheckToProtect.org and enter a license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a 17-character ID found on the driver's side dashboard, side-door or most vehicle registration and insurance documents.
Schedule a FREE repair appointment at a local dealership.
• If you have an airbag recall, or any other safety recalls, follow the link to find your closest authorized dealership and schedule your repair.
• Recall repairs are always free at authorized dealerships, regardless of whether you're the registered owner of the affected vehicle.
• Repairs can take as little as 30 minutes.Many dealers provide complimentary transportation while vehicles are being repaired, and others have mobile repair service that bring the airbag repair service to a driver's home.
• Michiganders whose Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram vehicle has an unrepaired airbag recall are eligible for a $50 prepaid Mastercard if they get their airbag repaired during Airbag Recall Repair Month (June 1 – June 30).
Since the program's start in 2017, program partners have expanded to include Ford, General Motors, Toyota and Volvo.
