Vehicles across the world are recalled every other day. Although technological advancement has allowed automakers to make safety improvements in every model, it is also the same technology that allows experts to detect defends in vehicles and recall them. Even though vehicle makers may not charge for the corrections, this process costs fleet companies across the globe millions of dollars due to operation inconveniences.

Small fleets should know the process of handling recalls efficiently as soon as they receive the notice. Unlike private vehicle owners who could ignore minor recalls, fleets cannot afford to make any assumptions. Here are some of the best insights to consider.

Understand the Defect at Hand

Through routine maintenance, small fleet companies may have noticed some challenges and even raised concerns with the automaker. However, they may not have noticed safety issues. Upon receiving recall notices, these companies should dig deep to understand the magnitude of the defect. For instance, one of the biggest recalls in history involved airbags. Fleet companies cannot afford to ignore this.

Communicate to Drivers

The first person to know about the recall should be the driver of the vehicle. However, let them finish the duties for that day before telling them that the vehicle will be going back to the automaker for correction. It is best to be frank to them and this could help you to collect feedback for the automaker. The internal mechanic or repair company should also be notified to see if there is any information they may have collected.

Do a Follow-Up

Small fleet companies should follow up with the vehicle manufacturer or contracted repairer to know the status of their vehicles. Sometimes following up shortens the time that fleet vehicles will be out of operation. According to experts at Eyeride, a website that offers a range of fleet solutions, following up can be through a phone call, email, or physical visit to the repair site. This procedure avoids losing more revenue and customer base than what you have already lost by putting operations on halt.

Keep Records

For small fleet companies, recalls are not just any old small issue. Hence, anything that has occurred should be recorded. This involves the status of the vehicle before it leaves for the corrections and after. Such records could be useful should the company have to file any legal complaints, seek insurance compensations, or process any other official procedures regarding vehicle defects.

Monitor the Vehicles

Successful recalls may not necessarily mean that the vehicles have been perfectly corrected. The technical team may not pick up on any issues once the vehicles are returned. That is why monitoring fleet vehicles for some time is very important. Both drivers and internal mechanics should stay alert to look for any further risks.

Conclusions

Recalls are normal things and they could happen to any vehicle owner. Now that small fleets have excellent insights, it is time to put the steps into practice. They will promote a lot of success in all of your operations.