Valvoline Instant Oil Change claimed today that it will become the first quick lube retailer that will use Carfax to help customers learn about un-repaired safety recalls on their vehicle. During the next few months, VIOC will check vehicles serviced at any location for open recalls using myCarfax.com and notify customers by email when any are found. VIOC services more than 35,000 customer vehicles per day.
A cursory analysis by Carfax says that nearly one out of every four of them has an open manufacturer recall. This is the latest example of an industry-wide problem about safety recalls being ignored. Counter-intuitively, people driving or buying family vehicles, minivans and SUVs, are most at risk. One in three minivans and one in five SUVs has an unfixed recall, according to Carfax. It also makes a mockery of the NHTSA claim that the Takata airbag shrapnel recall will be performed on 100% of the 70 million affected vehicles.
“The sheer number of our customers who are driving vehicles with open recalls is surprising, and we’re happy to do our part to help,” said Rob Stravitz, VP Marketing at Valvoline Instant Oil Change.
Carfax estimates that there are more than 46 million vehicles in the U.S. with open safety recalls. VIOC says that drivers are often unaware of recalls, and this email promotion can help keep them safe. A link in the email will take customers to myCarfax.com so they can see more recall details and get notified of future recalls after setting up a free account.
