CENTREVILLE, Va. -

As the company launched a new advertising campaign and forged a partnership to benefit independent repair shops, Carfax shared new research that showed more than 46 million vehicles nationwide have at least one safety recall that has never been fixed.

In fact, Carfax said 5 million of those units were bought and sold by potentially unsuspecting consumers in 2014.

One of the most alarming discoveries is that people driving or buying family-oriented vehicles — specifically minivans and SUVs — are most at risk. One in three minivans and one in five SUVs has an unfixed recall, according to Carfax.

“America’s cavalier response to manufacturer safety recalls is putting lives at risk,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. “Every morning millions of people drive to work, school and other places in a potential ticking time bomb.

“Fires, crashes and serious injury are just a few consequences of letting recalls go unfixed,” Gamache continued. “The minor inconvenience that comes from having a recall fixed pales in comparison to what can happen if you don’t.”

While every state has a significant number of unfixed recalled cars, Carfax determined California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania top the list.

However, analysts found the risk is greatest in West Virginia, Michigan, Mississippi, Wyoming and New Jersey, which have the highest ratios of unfixed recalled cars in the nation.

“Carfax and the auto manufacturers are working hard to help eliminate this problem,” Gamache said. “Car owners and buyers can easily find out about open recalls through the myCarfax app for free and on Carfax Vehicle History Reports.”

Latest Nationwide Ad Campaign to Connect More Shoppers with Carfax Advantage Dealers

In other company news, Carfax says it’s hard at work helping online used-vehicle shoppers easily find the right model and connect with Carfax Advantage dealers.

After almost a year, millions of people have found the car they want and avoided the ones they don’t by starting their used-car search with vehicle history at Carfax.com. Now, new ads from Carfax showing how simple vehicle shopping can be are airing nationwide.

“People invest hours looking for the perfect car, only to find out at the last minute it doesn’t have the history they want,” Gamache said. “At the all-new Carfax.com, we flip the script and let you choose the vehicle history you want first.

“In fact, Carfax Used Car Listings is driving a record number of ready-to-buy shoppers to Carfax Advantage Dealer websites and stores in its first year,” he added. “With a national ad campaign now in full swing and car buying season right around the corner, more people than ever will discover how easy it is to shop at Carfax.com.”

Gamache stressed that Carfax Used Car Listings is transforming how used-vehicle shoppers and dealers connect, as well.

Multiple contact methods for each dealership are found on both the search results and vehicle details pages. Interested buyers also can click through directly to the dealer’s website from Carfax.com, a benefit few other listing sites offer.

In addition, the company mentioned there are no ads or other distractions on Carfax Used Car Listings, and every vehicle listed for sale has a free Carfax Vehicle History Report.

In the latest Carfax ads, viewers get a peek into the Car Fox den to learn how Carfax helps reduce the time and headache often associated with online car buying. Car Fox shows a consumer how easy car shopping is when you start by choosing the vehicle history you want, such as no reported accidents, Carfax 1-Owner, service records and more.

The ads were created and produced with the help of Framestore and Y&R Midwest.

The spots can be viewed on the Carfax blog and YouTube channel.

Clear Tech Automotive Adds Carfax to Shop Management Software

Clear Tech Automotive Inc., a management system provider for independent shop owners based in Marietta, Ga., recently announced that it has become part of myCarfax. Clear Tech now offers the benefits that myCarfax Service Shops enjoy to its growing customer base, making it easier for shops using Clear Tech software to also join the program.

“We are extremely happy that Clear Tech joined myCarfax,” said Dale Lewis, owner of Dale’s Auto & Truck Service. “Having the myCarfax benefits incorporated into Clear Tech’s software is helping our technicians better serve our customers. By becoming more efficient and service oriented, we’re attracting new customers and making our loyal ones even happier.”

Clear Tech’s software will feature myCarfax benefits such as Carfax QuickVIN and Carfax Service History Check, which help dealers reach new service customers and increase retention and revenue.

Using Carfax QuickVIN, service techs can decode the VIN, vehicle engine information, and year/make/model simply by entering a license plate. And Carfax Service History Check shows a vehicle’s reported maintenance details. Both free services help shop owners and technicians increase car count, avoid parts-ordering errors, and make the best service recommendations to their customers.

“We’re constantly working to improve our software better to better meet the demands of our customers. Becoming part of myCarfax is another big step forward,” said Eric Iuni, founder of Clear Tech Automotive. “Direct access to the tools used by myCarfax Service Shops within our unique software system helps Clear Tech users increase their car count and input vehicle information quicker and more accurately.”

Clear Tech joins more than 33,444 software providers and service shops that are part of myCarfax. Membership is free and gives participating shops the benefits of being featured in the myCarfax app, as well as on Carfax Vehicle History Reports.