Will a dealer do recall service on my accord at 121000 miles without the maintenance history of the car?

Question

I recently bought a 97 honda accord with 120,XXX miles on it. The dealer got the car from an auction and has none of the services or maintenance history so I don't know what recall service has been done. Do dealers update a national database by VIN detailing what recall service has already been performed on a car? I'd like to have a record of this and also get any recall service that has yet to be performed.
Thanks

Answer 1

If it is a "recall" you need done, then the dealer *should* perform the service regardless of any other history. However there are limitations on recalls and those depend on whether it was a voluntary manufacturer recall, or a NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The NHTSA on requires manufactures to service their recalls for a period of 10 years.

Now if its a "TSB" (Technical Service Bulletin) then the dealer will not perform the service for free if the vehicle is out of warranty, however they will often times perform the service at a discounted rate. Again, it depends on the dealer.

All work done at a dealership, maintenance, TSB, recall, or otherwise should be recorded an available to any dealership in the manufacturer's line. I cannot speak about Honda, but I do know that Ford will print and give you this information for free.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

It depends on the manufacturer. Chrysler, for instance has a website that allows you to input the last 8 digits of your VIN to determine whether any recall work was not done on the car. I'd be surprised if Honda didn't, as this is only the only way to track recalls, by the VIN of the vehicle. I'd call a local dealer, and have your VIN handy.

Answer 4

Anytime you buy a used vehicle you should ask the seller if you can take the vehicle to a mechanic you know and trust to have it checked out. If there are no major problems with the vehicle the seller shouldn't have a problem with this. If the seller says they don't want you to take it away ask them to go along to see for themselves. If they still refuse or come up with some excuse why they cannot go with you then you should stay away from the vehicle. Even when you buy a used vehicle from a dealership you should take it and have it checked out. Just because they are a dealership and have their own shop and mechanics doesn't mean they are being truthful to you about the vehicle. Buying a used vehicle is just that a "Used" vehicle. When buying a used vehicle you should always ask to see the title and match up the vin number of the vehicle to the vin number on the title to make sure the title is the correct one for that vehicle. You could also have a car fax run on the vehicle to see if there are any reports of major damage like a major crash or flood. The car fax may not show all the things but will give you a good idea of the vehicle's life so to speak. You say you can hear a tapping noise coming from the engine and it has an oil leak. Noise in the engine would scare me off from the get go. An oil leak could be a minor thing like an oil filter not tight enough or something much larger like a seal leaking from the engine. It's your money and your decision to make but if it were me I would be looking elsewhere and run as fast as I could from this one. There are thousands upon thousands of vehicles out there to choose from.

Answer 5

Any procedure that is a mandated recall through the NHTSA or the automobile manufacturer will need to be complated regardless of the age or milage of the vehicle. The dealer should also place stickers under the hood of the car indicating which recalls have been performed on the vehicle.

Answer 6

no they dont care about previous history they are only concerned about the effected recall. if they see something that needs to be fixed they will tell you about it . yes data is worldwide off your VIN number. so if the car was in california and auctioned off to someone in new york the dealer could still see if it has been in for service in either state or anywhere else in the world.

Answer 7

The auto manufacturers keep a list of recalls done on cars, so they can prove they have done it. The recalls is an expense to them so they need the info more than you do.

Just take it in to a dealer and have him check on outstanding recalls. Good luck

Answer 8

its not the dealer that submits a recall, its the manufacturer. Your vehicle is being recalled for an issue that not only effects your car, but many others. your maint. records have no bearing.

Answer 9

yes the dealer will do recalls on your car. they can check for old recalls by vin and know what has been done.