recalls

Should You Fix Up Your Car, Or Get a New One?

Emily Guy Birken — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 08:30:09 +0000

Your aging car's engine has been knocking loud enough that turning up the radio doesn't help anymore. You take it to your trusted mechanic, who gives you the bad news: One of your main bearings has worn out, and the repair will cost around $3,000.

Since you can't know for sure if this is just the beginning of your car's transition into a rolling money pit, or if the $3,000 repair will get you motoring happily along for another 50,000 miles, it can be nigh-impossible to figure out whether to stick it out with Old Faithful or cut your losses and buy a new car.

Thankfully, there are some guideposts that will help you to make this difficult decision. Here's what you need to consider if you are trying to decide whether to fix up your old car or get a new one.

Consider the age and safety of your ride

If you are still driving a car that emerged from the factory in the early-to-mid 1990s, you might want to factor safety into your decision of whether to repair or replace. Safety standards have grown and changed a great deal in the past 20 years, and upgrading your car to something that was built in this millennium could make a big difference if you were to get into an accident. This is especially true for anyone using an older car as a family vehicle. Newer cars have made it much easier to properly install car seats, for example, which can offer parents a great deal of peace of mind. (See also: 8 Common Car Repair Mistakes That Can Cost You)

Take rust seriously

According to automotive journalist Steven Lang, there is one type of car problem that indicates your automobile is ready for that big garage in the sky: "If the integrity of the car's frame has been compromised by rust, then you should plan on getting a new car."

While a little surface rust on a car's frame is not necessarily a big deal, your mechanic will let you know if the frame has rusted to the point where it has become dangerous to drive. "It's game over at that point," Lang states. "Cars cannot come back from that kind of damage." (See also: Bookmark This: Follow This Car Maintenance Checklist)

Find an online forum for your make and model

Even if you are not concerned about the safety of continuing to drive your aging car, you might still worry that a repair is just the tip of the iceberg, and that you'll continue throwing good money after bad if you head down this path.

While this kind of quandary was very difficult to figure out pre-internet, these days you don't have to decide what to do by yourself. Start by searching for an enthusiast forum online that is dedicated to your specific make and model of car. (Believe it or not, there are such groups for everything from Kia Sorentos to BMW E30 M3s — although the former are more likely to be "support groups" rather than enthusiast forums.)

Once you've found a forum, you can ask about the specific repair you are considering. It's likely that someone else has faced a similar problem on the same car, and they can let you know just how much more drive time their repair was able to buy them.

You can also use the forums to find out if there are common problems facing your specific car, as some cars have known issues that crop up as they age. These forums are also a great place to ask about recalls or other issues that you might not be aware of, especially if you bought your car used. (See also: Your Car Was Recalled. Now What?)

Determine cost vs. worth

So how do you know if the cost of a repair is worth it to you? For insurers, simple subtraction makes the decision easy. If the cost of a repair is higher than the Kelley Blue Book value of a car, the insurer will total the car. And if you are in a position to purchase a new car, this kind of simplified equation is helpful.

However, what a car is worth to you is not necessarily as simple as that. If you own your current car free-and-clear, and would struggle to take on a car payment, the determination of whether the cost of the repair is worth it becomes a little more difficult. A good rule of thumb in this situation is to buy a new car if the repair would cost more than one year's worth of car payments — but keep the clunker if it is less.

And don't forget the potential value of trading in your clunker, even if it needs a repair. It's tougher to sell or trade in a car in need of a major repair, but your old ride may still be worth something and can help you with the purchase of something newer or more reliable. (See also: 8 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car)

Answering the impossible question

You can never know for sure if you made the right call with this kind of repair-or-replace decision. But gathering all the information you can about your car's safety, its common problems, and its worth can help you to determine if a repair will serve you better than a new car.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

These 8 Modern Car Features Are Riskier Than You Think

Dr Penny Pincher — Mon, 11 Jun 2018 08:30:18 +0000

If you're in the market for a new car, you may be paying close attention to some of the more modern features than can improve your driving experience. While some newer car features improve the safety and convenience of your vehicle, others can make your ride more dangerous. Here's what you need to know to stay safe with modern car add-ons.

1. Air bags

Air bags provide a significant improvement to vehicle safety overall, but there are certain situations where they present a hazard. Air bags can be dangerous to children or adults of short stature due to the close proximity of shorter individuals to the front bag when it deploys. To reduce risk of injury, seat shorter folks in the back seat, or adjust the front seat to a position further away from dashboard.

Another problem in recent years is faulty air bags. When buying a used car, check to see if it falls into the massive recall for Takata air bags that can malfunction and spray shrapnel when they deploy. (See also: Your Car Was Recalled. Now What?)

2. Keyless ignition

Keyless ignition is a convenient feature that allows you to start your car remotely. A keyless ignition fob allows you to press a button and transmit a radio signal to start your vehicle. But this convenience can come at a dangerous cost. Without the need to turn a key or actually sit in the car, it's easy to forget that the engine is running. You may inadvertently create a carbon monoxide hazard in a garage or other enclosed space. Always check that the engine has been turned off when you exit the car.

3. Touch screens

That big screen on the dash that runs the climate controls, shows you a map, and controls your music can be a major distraction. Not only does the display catch your attention, but dynamic touch screens take a lot more focus to use than old fashioned knobs and buttons that you can learn to operate by touch from muscle memory. Touch screens have different menus for different functions and typically require the driver to look at the screen to see where to press, diverting attention from the road. Practice safety first by not using the touch screen while driving.

4. Jacked-up vehicles

Jacked-up vehicles have been trendy for quite some time, going back to the SUV craze in the 80s and the Hummer craze in the 90s. Driving a large vehicle that sits high above the ground provides a commanding view of the road, but handling can be compromised. Tall vehicles have a higher center of gravity and heavier tires, which results in a greater risk of rollover.

Driving a jacked-up vehicle also poses risks to other cars on the road. Instead of meeting bumper-to-bumper in a collision, a smaller car might take the bumper of a jacked-up vehicle through the windshield, greatly raising the risk of serious injury or fatality.

5. Roof racks

Much like with a jacked-up SUV or truck, placing heavy items on top of your car raises the center of gravity and increases risk of rollover. In addition, items placed on roof rack may become loose during transit, presenting a risk of injury to pedestrians or passengers in nearby vehicles. Finally, attempting to lift cargo up to a roof rack can cause back injuries.

6. Overstyling

Styling can make an ordinary car look cooler and more expensive, but it can also make cars more dangerous. Dark tinted windows can reduce visibility for the driver, especially at night. This problem gets worse in cars that have lots of electronic displays that can create glare. Chunky pillars make vehicles look sturdier, but also make it harder get a good view of oncoming traffic or obstructions.

7. Super-bright headlights

Some expensive sports and luxury cars come with high-intensity discharge (HID) lights, often using xenon gas, that generate very bright light with a bluish hue. Some vehicle owners upgrade their standard headlights to HID to make their car seem more expensive. While bright headlights can improve visibility for the driver of the car equipped with them, the bright lights can produce glare and reduce the vision for oncoming motorists.

8. Cruise control

Cruise control can make long distance driving much easier — just reach your desired speed, and you can set your cruise to maintain speed without working the accelerator. The problem with cruise control is that it tends to promote unsafe driving behavior and reduces reaction time. Drivers using cruise control tend to cruise right up on slower vehicles before making a quick lane change to pass. Be vigilant at all times while driving — cruise control is not autopilot.

Cruise control can also be dangerous in slippery conditions that can result in the tires spinning out of control when there is not enough friction between the tires and the road. You should never use your cruise function in poor weather conditions.

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This article is from Dr Penny Pincher of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Your Car Was Recalled. Now What?

Paul Michael — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 09:30:05 +0000

If you feel like you hear about car recalls constantly, you're right. In 2016, there were almost 53 million recalls, according to Roadshow by CNET. And although we're only just into 2018, Cars.com reports some 50 million Takata air bag inflaters are currently under recall. With car parts constantly being tested and updated, you're bound to get a recall letter yourself at some point. But what should you do when you are on the recall list? (See also: Bookmark This: Save Money With an Easy to Follow Car Maintenance Checklist)

First, there's no need to panic

You're driving along in your car, maybe getting groceries or picking the kids up from school, when you hear the news on the radio — XYZ automaker is recalling four million cars. You have that car, and it's only natural that it scares you a little. After all, your car is not only your primary means of transportation, but if something is wrong with it, could your life be in danger? Fortunately, probably not.

Most recalls are minor, and have very little impact on the way the vehicle operates. If it's a voluntary recall from the manufacturer, it's likely not a big issue. If the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) gets involved, it could be more serious. And although a recall is only issued when it is a safety hazard, those risks can be very small.

Find out exactly what kind of recall has been issued

As soon as you get the chance, call your local dealership or check the internet and find out what kind of recall has been put in place. It could be something as simple as a software update. Maybe one particular part has broken on some models, and the manufacturer is replacing them all as a precaution (most err on the side of extreme caution rather than risk a lawsuit).

You should have also received a letter or email from the manufacturer, and you can verify your issue by typing in your VIN (it's on the driver's side dashboard) to a site like NHTSA.gov, Safecar.gov, or Cars.com.

Read what's detailed in the recall notice

The chances are that you'll be notified about the recall in several ways, including local and national news reports, a call from the dealership, email, and a physical letter. The letter and email will highlight several factors about the recall, and will include:

a complete description of the defect or issue.
what you should look for to see if your car is already experiencing issues.
the dangers the defect presents.
what the manufacturer will do to resolve the problem.
how long you can expect the repair to take.
the name and address of the nearest approved repair facility.
contact information should you have additional questions.

Find out if the recall is covered by the warranty or manufacturer

A lot of people assume that the recall is covered. After all, the manufacturer made the mistake, so shouldn't they pay for the repair or replacement? Timing is a big factor in the answer to that question. As DMV.org points out, there is a 10-year window for recalls. That means 10 years from the original purchase date of the new car, not 10 years from the day you bought it. So if you bought it used when it was 11 years old, you're not within the recall window.

If you aren't covered, you have to weigh the time and expense of the repair against the seriousness of the issue. For example, if it's a faulty wiper blade motor and it hasn't failed you yet, maybe wait until it starts giving you issues. A recall doesn't mean the part is guaranteed to break.

Make an appointment with an approved garage

If the recall affects only a small percentage of cars, you likely won't have an issue finding an appointment time. In many instances, active recalls are checked when you bring your car in for an oil change or tire rotation, and can often be repaired during that appointment.

However, if it's a large recall, or requires a specific part, call ahead and make an appointment for that specific issue to be repaired. This will give the service manager time to order the parts needed to complete the recall. While the majority of recalls can be dealt with quickly, some can have the local garages backed up for months. Hopefully, you can still drive the car safely until then.

If the car is unsafe to drive, make arrangements until it is repaired

Most of the time, the recall isn't going to make the car undrivable or unsafe. However, if the issue poses a serious risk to you and your family, are you really expected to drive it until the repair can happen? In some instances, the waiting list is long. What do you do for transportation?

In some cases, the auto manufacturer may offer to pay for a rental vehicle to customers affected by the recall. However, this varies from case to case, and in some instances it's possible you will have to cover the cost of a substitute vehicle while your recalled car is waiting for repairs.

Stay vigilant

Drive the car and see if everything feels the same as it did before you took it in to be repaired. If you have issues, or something else has come up that wasn't there before the recall, contact the repair facility and voice your concerns.

Even if everything turns out great, that does not mean you are free and clear forever. There may be other recalls issued during the time you own the car, and you should make a point to check in with the NHTSA periodically to ensure your car is not part of a different recall. Parts fail. Problems happen. Be vigilant.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Recalled Robes, Cribs, and Hooded Sweatshirts: Top Safety Concerns You Should Know About

Linsey Knerl — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:59:14 +0000

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about recalls. Sadly, they seem to pop up every day – either an indication of our products getting junkier, or a sign that the government is becoming better aware of safety concerns, in general. These alerts top my list of “recalls you really should know about.” If Grandma wears a robe, you must read this!

I always like when a company takes the initiative and puts out a voluntary recall before any accidents occur. To me, it is a sign that they are being proactive, hoping to avoid lawsuit, and taking responsibility for their own product lines (instead of waiting for the government to tell them what to do.) Many of these product recalls occurred BEFORE any accidents occurred. Sadly, however, many of the affected consumer groups aren’t the type to read emails or check the CPSC website for updates. Do you know anyone who would be affected by these recalls?

Blair Chenille Robes – There have been six reported deaths of consumers by catching on fire while wearing these $20-40 robes. The reports indicate that five of them were women, all of them were cooking at the time, and a few were in their 80’s. This just makes me sad, as many of the customers who order from Blair do so over the phone or through catalog orders. (They are not likely to be reading emails or checking Snopes to see if reports are real.) Internet-savvy customers can to to www.blair.com/recall for the full details of the recall, or they can call (877) 392-7095 to file a claim and get their $50 Blair gift card.

LaJobi Drop Side Cribs – Two separate recalls have been issued for models of this crib, sold at retailers like USA Baby, Buy Buy Baby, and Beautiful Beginnings. Retailing at between $299 and $450, you would expect (and hope) that the slats on the side of the crib would NOT break or fall out. Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, there have been over 40 reports of slat or side failure, and one case of a baby falling out of the crib and getting bruised. Read the details of the recalls at LaJobi’s website, and share this info with people you know. (Check out past crib and bassinet recalls at CPSC’s website – just do a search for “crib” or “bassinet.”)

Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts – I can’t even count the number of hooded sweatshirt recalls I’ve seen in the last year. The brands include Red Envelope, Ocean Pacific, Karl Kani, and Gildan Activewear and include everything in between. Unfortunately, recalls date back to before 2007 and warn of strangulation hazards from the drawstrings in the hoods of the sweatshirts. Despite industry standards, there are new recalls every month, and even more companies settling lawsuits as a result of injury or death. Even if you were aware of every recall and avoided purchasing new garments under these brands, many parents buy gently used clothing from garage sales and consignment outlets – making it difficult to stay on top of the news. I would suggest reading up on many of the recalls, but to be absolutely certain you are not affected – avoid buying kids’ clothing with drawstrings. Period.

Baby/Toddler Play yards (playpens) – I can’t imagine living without my Graco Pack N’ Play. I also cannot imagine living without any of my four children. When this press release went out in 2001, parents cringed at the thought that a play yard could be responsible for 4 infant deaths and several injuries. Recalls dating back to 1993 revealed weaknesses in various brands’ models, including Kolcraft, Century, and EvenFlo. Just when we thought play pens were getting safer, a new round of recalls got parents worrying again. Brands involved in this recent rash of recalls include Eddie Bauer and Fisher-Price/Simplicity. Parents are encouraged to follow recall alerts from CPSC’s website and subscribe to updates via email. (This recent article involving the safety of motel/hotel cribs and playpens is also very informative reading!)

I recently reported a defect in a new toy my son was playing with. Even when used properly, his little finger kept getting pinched in a moving part and it caused him to lose part of his fingernail. We took the toy away, and I contacted the company – with no results. (I couldn’t believe that this wasn’t also happening to other kids.) Unfortunately, if there are only one or two reports of failure or injury, it may not be enough to prompt a recall. I encourage everyone to be vigilant in reporting product defects to both the manufacturer and the CPSC – especially if it is something you feel other consumers could benefit from knowing about.

What recalls are most alarming to you? Do you follow them carefully, or do you think recalls are mostly hype? We’d love to hear your feedback!

This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

It Broke? Check for a Recall

Carrie Kirby — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:38:00 +0000

Last time our DVD player broke, I went out and bought a new one. The Best Buy salesman said he wasn't surprised that it had only worked for a year; he called them "disposable."

Two years later, the new one is broken. But this time, instead of going shopping, my husband had an idea.

"Check online for recalls," he told me.

I don't know what gave him the hunch. Maybe it was that time a few years back when our microwave started sparking like crazy and we found out (after several failed attempts by Sears to fix it) that it had a recalled part.

At any rate, he was right. I Googled the maker (Toshiba) and the model number (SD-3980SU2), and immediately came up with an information page about a recall. One 5-minute phone call later, and I am expecting a new, 2008 model of the DVD player to arrive within a couple of weeks. I will have to package up the old DVD player and mail it in, but a new DVD player is worth a trip to the post office any day in my book.

Now I have to get Googling to see if the broken cord to my Roomba could have possibly been recalled ...

This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Recall

Carrie Kirby — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:00:07 +0000

With the rash of toy recalls recently, I have heard a lot of parents say they have sorted through their kids' toys and thrown away anything even close to the ones deemed dangerous. That's silly, for two reasons: One, most recalls are for a very specific product manufactured during a limited date range. Two, most companies provide a way for parents to get a replacement toy or a refund instead of just throwing it away.

When you hear about a recall in the media, the first thing you should do is check out a detailed source. The newspaper or TV news usually doesn't provide enough information for you to know what to do. A great place to start is www.recalls.gov, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission site on this topic. Alternatively, you can almost always find a detailed release on the site of the toy manufacturer, such as this page set up by Mattel. Compare the photo and description of the recalled product to what you have. Some manufacturers provide helpful yes/no "wizards" to help you determine if your toy is part of the recall. Often the release provides certain serial numbers, found on the packaging or the product itself, or a date range.

If you bought the product after the date range, the problem has likely already been fixed. Often it will have a new feature that shows it's been fixed, for example, an extra strap on an infant carrier.

If you bought the product before the recall date range, it's trickier to know what to do: Personally, I took away a Baby Einstein block from my baby that was manufactured before the recall range began. Could I really trust that the blue paint on that block was lead free, or did they just not test any blocks from that range? As I parent, I felt it wasn't worth the risk in that case, so I'm getting rid of the block.

Once you determine that you really do have a recalled toy, get a replacement or get your money back. The easiest way to do that is to shop at a store that promises up front to take them back, like Target. On this recall notice, see where it says, "return the item to the nearest Target store for a full refund"? I returned a recalled puzzle table to Target a couple months ago, and I didn't have a receipt or even have all the pieces. I had bought it in another state years ago. The Target employees couldn't find it in the database, but I told them it was recalled and they took my word for it.

Wal-Mart also said in press releases about specific recalls that customers can return the affected toys for a full refund.

You can generally also contact the manufacturer about a fix, replacement, or refund. Check the press release for details on how to do so.

To tell the truth, I'm usually kind of happy when one of my kids' toys gets recalled because it means I can turn in something they're already tired of and get something new. Of course, some products that have caused tragedies, such as the Simplicity cribs recently recalled, and I do not mean to make light of that. But I'm not the type of parent to freak out over a little lead paint (doctors will tell you that it's more crumbling, peeling lead paint, lead dust, and cumulative exposure you need to worry about) or a toy that might break.

Not all recalls are reported in the media. In fact, I found out about a recall affecting one of my daughter's toys while researching this post. You can stay on top of them by signing up for the CPSC's recall email list.

Keep these resources handy when you go shopping for second-hand children's products, too, whether on EBay or at a garage sale. There's no need to fear buying even a crib second hand (as long as it was made after 1991) -- but I would never buy one without checking the manufacturing information sticker, found directly on the crib, and looking it up online.

This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: