Oct. 17, 2019—Recent reports by CBS News and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group accuse one of the nation's largest dealership groups of selling vehicles with open recalls.
The U.S. PIRG investigated 2,400 used vehicles at 28 AutoNation dealerships nationwide. According to the report, one in nine used vehicles had unrepaired safety recalls.
Other dealers do sell cars with safety recalls, according to the new PIRG report. According to the report, some of the unrepaired safety recalls were Takata airbags and General Motors ignition switches linked to injuries and deaths.
At the Honda Fremont (CA), Hyundai Denver (CO), Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Fiat Johnson City (TN), and the Subaru Spokane Valley (WA) dealerships, more than 1 in 6 used vehicles contained an unrepaired safety recall, the U.S. PIRG found.
In 2015, AutoNation said it would no longer sell used cars with open safety recalls.
AutoNation responded to the reports, according to South Florida Business Journal. The company responded by saying that all of its for-sale used vehicles are listed online alongside information about potential recalled parts. Additionally, buyers must sign a recall disclosure acknowledgment before they purchase a car with recalled parts, and when able, the dealership gave them the opportunity to schedule or complete recall repairs prior to their purchases.
Additionally, the company stated that if an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) issues a "stop sale" for certain vehicles, AutoNation will cease sales of that vehicle prior to completion of the recall. No certified pre-owned cars with an open recall are sold at company dealerships unless permitted by the OEM.
