Your rights
How to get reimbursed for a repair made before a recall
If you paid to fix a problem before the manufacturer recalled it, you may be able to get that money back. Manufacturers must have a plan to reimburse owners for repairs made before a recall, within limits they set out when the recall is announced. You will need your receipts.
How reimbursement plans work
When a manufacturer files a safety recall, federal rules require it to include a plan for reimbursing owners who already paid to remedy the defect themselves. The plan is part of the recall paperwork and is usually explained in the owner letter.
Each plan sets out:
- a time window, meaning repairs made within certain dates qualify
- what counts, meaning the repair has to address the same defect the recall covers
- what proof you need, usually a receipt or repair order and proof of payment
- how to claim, usually through a dealer or by sending documents to the manufacturer
The repair does not always have to have been done at a dealer. Many plans accept repairs from independent shops, as long as the work matches what the recall fixes. Some plans cap how much they will pay, so check the details before you assume you will get the full amount back.
Does your repair qualify?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Is there now a recall for my vehicle? Check with our VIN check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Did my repair fix the same part or problem the recall covers?
- Was the repair made within the dates in the reimbursement plan?
- Do I have the repair order or invoice, and proof that I paid?
- Was I the person who paid for it?
If you can answer yes to most of these, it is worth making a claim. If the dates do not match, ask anyway. Manufacturers sometimes go beyond the minimum, especially for a well-documented case.
How to claim
- Find your paperwork. You need the repair order or invoice showing what was done, the date, the mileage and the VIN. You also need proof of payment, such as a receipt, card statement or canceled check.
- Read the reimbursement instructions. They are in the recall letter. If you do not have the letter, ask a dealer or call the manufacturer's customer service line and quote the recall number.
- Submit the claim the way the plan says. This may be through a dealer, by mail or online. Keep copies of everything you send.
- Get the recall done too. Your earlier repair may not match the official remedy. Have a dealer check whether the recall work still needs to be done.
- Follow up. Note the date you sent the claim and any case or claim number. If you have heard nothing in a few weeks, call and ask.
If your claim is turned down
Ask for the reason in writing. Common reasons are:
- the repair was outside the plan's date window
- the repair order does not clearly show the recalled part was repaired or replaced
- there is no proof of payment
- the repair was for a different problem
If you think the decision is wrong, send the manufacturer a short, polite letter with copies of your documents and explain why your repair matches the recall. If you still cannot get anywhere, you can contact NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline on 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). For larger amounts, consider talking to a consumer attorney or your state attorney general's consumer protection office.
Repairs for problems that are not recalled
Many expensive problems never become safety recalls. You may still be able to get help:
- Warranty extensions. Manufacturers sometimes extend warranty coverage for a specific part that is failing often. These are usually not announced widely.
- Goodwill repairs. A manufacturer may pay for all or part of a repair outside warranty, especially if the problem is common and you have kept up maintenance.
- Service bulletins. A technical service bulletin shows the manufacturer knows about the problem, which can support a goodwill request.
Read our guide to service bulletins and goodwill repairs for how to ask.
Keep receipts for everything
You cannot know in advance which repair might be recalled later. A simple habit protects you:
- Keep every repair order and receipt, paper or digital, for as long as you own the vehicle.
- Make sure each one shows the VIN, mileage, date and a clear description of the problem and the parts replaced.
- Keep the old part, or photos of it, for big repairs if the shop allows.
- Pass the records on when you sell, so the next owner has them.
Watch for recalls on problems you have had
If you have paid for a repair that seems to be a common failure, check whether other owners report the same thing. Look up your vehicle, for example /chevrolet/equinox/2014, and its problem pages, such as engine problems. Keep an eye on the latest recalls too. If the problem is a safety issue, file a complaint with NHTSA so the pattern is on record.
And if you have paid for a repair that others might face, share your experience and the cost. It helps other owners plan, and helps show how common the problem is.
Questions and answers
Can I get reimbursed for a repair I paid for before a recall?
Often, yes. Manufacturers must have a reimbursement plan for repairs made before a recall. The plan sets the dates and proof needed, and is usually described in the recall letter.
Do I need to have used a dealer for the repair?
Not always. Many plans accept repairs from independent shops if the work matches the recall. Check the plan's details in the recall letter.
What if I lost my receipt?
Ask the shop that did the work for a copy of the repair order, and use a bank or card statement as proof of payment. Without any records, a claim is much harder.
What if the repair was before the reimbursement dates?
It may not qualify under the plan, but you can still ask. Send a polite request with your documents. Some manufacturers make exceptions.