On the Site:

GET GEPHARDT

Driver apathy keeps tens of thousands of unsafe cars on Utah roads

May 22, 2023, 10:36 PM | Updated: 10:38 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — Every year, the vehicle history report business Carfax releases its study on how many cars are on the roads with unfixed safety recalls. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be doing much good Carfax editor-in-chief, Patrick Olsen said.

“What seems to be consumer apathy about recalls,” Olsen said.

So, this year, Carfax is trying something different. Carfax looked at the specific recalls that are deemed specifically hazardous.

“We dug deep into the recall information we have in the database and identified all of the ‘Do Not Drive’ and ‘Park Outside’ recalls,” Olsen said.

“Do Not Drive”, as in driving one of these vehicles poses a real risk of death to you or you or others. A prime example in recent years is cars equipped with faulty airbags that can fire shrapnel, like a bullet, into people inside the car. “Park Outside”, refers to cars that have been known to catch fire even with a shut-off engine, and can cause catastrophic damage if left in a garage or carport.

Of the 50 million active recalls in this country, more than a handful fall into these two deadly categories Olsen said.

“We found there’s about two and a half million of these vehicles on U.S. roads today that are going unfixed,” he said. “And there’s actually 32,000 in the state of Utah.”

Olsen says he understands why some car owners may have, what he calls, recall fatigue. But after 20 years in the business, he has seen just how bad unfixed recalls can be.

“I want people to understand that they’re, they’re protecting their family members,” he explained. “They’re protecting their community. They’re protecting themselves. They can save lives today by getting this work done.”

One thing some drivers do not always understand is that an open record must be fixed by the automaker for free.

If you are not sure if your car has an open recall, you can use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Safety Issues and Recalls search tool to look up your car, using its VIN.

Carfax also online tools you can use to determine if your car is under recall or receive notice of a recall in the future.

KSL 5 TV Live

Get Gephardt

Debra Gamero teaches a student...

Matt Gephardt

The insurance you didn’t know you needed to protect your side hustle

Having a side hustle to bring in extra cash requires determination and hard work. But if you do it without the right insurance policy, you might find an unexpected event could blow up your side hustle along with your finances.

7 days ago

If you drive your car for work and you're in a crash, can your insurance company refuse to pay? Tha...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

Get Gephardt: Rideshare driver says company’s insurance refuses to cover her wrecked car

If you drive your car for work and you're in a crash, can your insurance company refuse to pay? That's the exact issue currently afflicting a Cedar City woman who decided it was time to Get Gephardt, and our Matt Gephardt began investigating.

9 days ago

A Holladay woman received a water bill for over $7,000. After contacting the provider, it wasn't mu...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt: Homeowner gets $7K water bill for water she says she didn’t use

Imagine opening your mailbox to find a water bill demanding several thousand dollars for just one month’s use of water. It happened to a Holladay woman, she decided to Get Gephardt.

14 days ago

Thieves are using phony delivery notifications via text or email to steal our money, our identities...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

Fake delivery texts surge for the holidays, how you can avoid the scam

Porch pirates aren't the only bad guys banking on the holiday season's huge influx of deliveries. Other thieves are using phony delivery notifications via text or email to steal our money, our identities, or both.

15 days ago

(KSL TV)...

Matt Gephardt

Gehardt busts inflation: How much can you save by buying in bulk?

It's likely that most of us if not all, are trying to find ways to make our household budgets go further.

20 days ago

Matt Gephardt speaking with Zahra Moghimi about her car accident that damaged her wheelchair, and h...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt: Investigating insurance for wheelchair-accessible cars

If you're in a wreck, you count on insurance to get you back on the road. What happens when insurance will not pay nearly enough to make that happen?

21 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Driver apathy keeps tens of thousands of unsafe cars on Utah roads