Constitution State News

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is collaborating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promote awareness during Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, taking place from March 3-9, 2025. With over 58 million vehicles in the United States having open safety recalls, CTDOT is urging vehicle owners to check their vehicles and address any outstanding recalls.

In Connecticut, approximately 550,000 vehicles have open recalls, including more than 48,000 with unrepaired Takata airbags. Between 2014 and 2016, NHTSA recalled about 67 million Takata airbags due to a defect that could cause them to explode during deployment, potentially leading to serious injury or death.

“Unrepaired recalls pose serious risks to drivers, passengers, and others on the road,” stated Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We encourage all Connecticut drivers to take a few minutes to check their vehicle for open recalls. It’s fast, free, and could save lives.”

“It’s important for all motorists to stay informed about recalls that may affect their vehicles,” said Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Tony Guerrera. “To help with this, we instructed emissions testing stations to provide notifications of any outstanding recalls during routine emissions tests. It’s important for motorists to take recalls seriously and to act promptly.”

Vehicle owners can easily check for open recalls by visiting CheckToProtect.org and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Repairs for safety recalls are available at no cost at authorized dealerships. Employers and fleet managers are also encouraged to regularly review their vehicle inventory for recalls to ensure driver safety.

Check To Protect is a national campaign led by the National Safety Council (NSC), aimed at encouraging drivers to check for and repair open vehicle recalls. The NSC is a nonprofit organization focused on eliminating preventable deaths and injuries through research, education, and advocacy. The campaign collaborates with automakers, safety organizations, and government agencies to promote safer roads.

For further information, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.