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A shocking number of vehicle owners have no idea they have an open recall.
Top 3 Reasons People Don’t Get Their Recalls Fixed (And How Dealers Can Change That!)
We get it—life is busy, and getting your car’s recall fixed isn’t always at the top of your to-do list. But here’s the thing: ignoring recalls can be risky, and dealerships have a real opportunity to make the process easier, faster, and (dare we say) even enjoyable for customers. Let’s break down the top three reasons people avoid recall repairs and how dealers can turn that around!
A shocking number of vehicle owners have no idea they have an open recall. Why? Because recall notices can get lost in the mail, look like junk, or simply get ignored.
Dealer Fix: Dealers can take a proactive approach by using modern communication tools like email, text messages, and even social media to notify customers. Personalizing these messages with a friendly tone (instead of the usual scary legal-speak) makes a huge difference. A quick, “Hey [First Name], we noticed your [Car Model] has a recall that needs attention. Let’s get you in and out in no time—coffee’s on us!” can work wonders.
People assume recall repairs take forever. They picture themselves stuck in a dealership waiting room for hours, scrolling through their phone, wondering why they didn’t just ignore the notice like last time.
Dealer Fix: Make the process as painless as possible! Offer online scheduling with flexible hours, provide loaner vehicles, or set up a shuttle service. Better yet, some dealerships have started mobile repair units that come to the customer—now that’s VIP treatment! Transparency is key: let customers know exactly how long it will take and, if possible, offer status updates via text.
People are naturally skeptical—especially when something is “free.” They worry they’ll be upsold on extra services or pressured into repairs they weren’t planning for.
Dealer Fix: Build trust by being upfront. Reinforce the message that recall repairs are 100% free and exist solely to keep them safe. Train service advisors to focus on education over sales. And if additional service recommendations come up during the visit, frame them as friendly advice rather than a hard sell. A little honesty goes a long way in customer loyalty!
Recall repairs don’t have to be a headache—for customers or dealerships. By improving communication, making the process easy, and building trust, dealerships can turn recall visits into a positive experience. And who knows? Maybe that customer who came in for a recall will stick around for their next oil change too!
Ready to bring in more recall customers? RecallRabbit is here to help dealerships communicate better, streamline the process, and keep customers coming back. Let’s make recalls hassle-free—one happy customer at a time!
