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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
