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Should I Complete A Recall Before Selling My Car?

Should I Complete A Recall Before Selling My Car?

Thursday, August 07, 2025

Car Buyer USA - Should I Complete A Recall Before Selling My Car?


If you're thinking about selling a vehicle, outstanding recalls aren't just background noise. They matter. A lot. Unresolved recalls can affect everything from safety to resale value, and ignoring them could cost you far more than just a trip to the dealership.

First and foremost, let’s talk about safety, because that’s what recalls are all about. Automakers don’t issue recalls on a whim, they do so when there’s a defect that could pose a real risk. That might mean faulty airbags, engine fires, or brakes that don’t respond when they should. Even if your vehicle seems to be running fine, a recall means something under the hood, or in the frame, needs urgent attention.

Take the Toyota Tundra, for example. Between the 2022 and 2025 model years, Toyota has recalled about 443,000 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid trucks due to unspecified safety concerns. That’s nearly half a million trucks that need attention—and if you own one, it’s not something to ignore. Whether you're driving one daily or considering putting it up for sale, getting that recall fixed is a must.

Why does this matter if you're selling? Because unresolved recalls can hurt your vehicle’s resale value. Buyers today are savvy. A quick vehicle history check or a VIN search will flag outstanding recalls. If they see one? It’s a red flag, and either the deal stalls, the price drops, or the buyer walks. Even worse, some buyers may question whether the vehicle was properly maintained at all.

There’s also the legal side. Selling a car with an unresolved safety defect could come back to haunt you. If the next owner ends up in an accident related to the recall issue, and it’s discovered that the repair was never made, you could be looking at liability issues. That’s not the kind of surprise any seller wants after handing over the keys.

Now, we get it, recalls aren’t always easy to deal with. Scheduling an appointment at a franchised dealership can take time, especially if parts are backordered. Some recalls have waitlists that stretch for weeks or even months. And while the recall fix itself is typically free, the dealership might use the opportunity to upsell you on unrelated repairs. With labor rates pushing $150 an hour or more, those suggestions can add up quickly.

For some owners, the delay comes down to simple procrastination, too busy, unaware of the recall, or thinking “it’s not that serious.” But here's the thing: safety recalls are serious. And delaying the fix could end up costing you more in the long run, especially if you're trying to sell.

And here’s a common blind spot: if you're not the original owner, the automaker might not even have your contact information. So, you may never get a recall notice in the first place. That means it’s your responsibility to stay informed. Many private buyers prefer to avoid dealerships altogether, so they’re even less likely to want to deal with a recall that wasn’t theirs to begin with.

Bottom line? Whether you drive a Toyota Tundra, a Ford F-150, or a family SUV, don’t let a recall linger. Get the repair done. It protects everyone, your safety, your wallet, and your reputation as a seller. Check your VIN. Make the appointment. Get the fix. Then move on, knowing your vehicle is safer, and worth more, because of it.

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