Cars with unfixed recalls rise 34% over past year

The amount of recalled cars on the road has increased 34 percent since last year and one in four vehicles Americans drive has open recalls, according to research data that Carfax released on Thursday.

Carfax estimates that there are more than 63 million recalled vehicles now in use across the country — and many throughout the Gulf Coast states, in particular.

The annual research suggests this issue affects about one in three cars in Texas. It has the highest rate in the nation.

States following with the most open recalls include Hawaii, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

“Reducing the number of open recalls on the road is an ongoing effort. Safety is our number one concern,”  Carfax communications director Larry Gamache said in a news release.

“Carfax, manufacturers and government are working together to make it easier for drivers to get accurate information and timely alerts about open recalls. It may be inconvenient, but people driving recalled cars should make getting them fixed a high priority.”

Additionally, the new data suggests that family life may be a factor for some vehicle owners not being aware of a recall or going to get it fixed.

Carfax said it found that family-oriented vehicles such as minivans and SUVs are most likely to have unfixed recalls.