With millions of recalls issued every year, it is not surprising that an estimated 25% are never fixed. Even though new car dealerships are forbidden from selling vehicles with open recalls, there’s no similar requirements for used car dealerships. According to Clarence Dithlow, the executive director for the Center for Auto Safety in Washington, “Every safety defect is serious and should be fixed, and better regulation is needed to ensure that they are.”

National Automobile Dealers Association (NADE) opposes any legal mandate that would prohibit a dealer from selling a vehicle with open recalls, because forcing used car dealerships will impose major costs and burdens on used car commerce. They say that it is the responsibilities of owners of pre-owned vehicles to investigate if a recall has been issued for their vehicle.