1.8m dangerous cars on Saudi Arabia’s streets
‘If you’ve been told not to drive your cars, don’t tempt fate’: Ministry of Trade
Abu Dhabi: As many as 1.8 million cars with dangerous defects are on Saudi Arabia’s highways, after their owners refused to honour auto recalls and get their vehicles fixed, according to a report by the Ministry of Trade.
“Every safety defect puts people at risk and recalls should be taken seriously,” the Ministry warned in a statement released on Friday.
Hundreds of thousands of cars get recalled each year to correct faults ranging from software problems that can cause a car to stall unexpectedly to leaks that can cause a fire.
Car safety recalls have been under the purview of the federal government, but they’re typically initiated by automakers, who can face fines if they don’t disclose defects.
According to Saudi authorities, recalls are conducted for defects that “pose a risk to motor vehicle safety,” and that “may exist in a group of vehicles of the same design or manufacture, or items of equipment of the same type and manufacture.”
Sometimes, they said, vehicles are recalled because they don’t meet a motor vehicle safety standard. Examples of these kinds of recalls include faulty headlights or backup cameras that take too long to display images.
Can I still drive my car before the recall repair happens?
Authorities advise motorists the recall notice itself will tell if it is safe to drive or not, or if it needs to be put outside.
In some instances, automakers will issue what’s known as a “do not drive” warning. If you’ve been told not to drive your car, don’t tempt fate—there’s an especially serious issue with the vehicle that could put your life in danger, the ministry warned.
If there is no such warning, the ministry said, you can still drive if necessary but you should get your car fixed as soon as possible. “Your car should be safe enough for you to drive to the dealership for repairs,” it said.
Automakers may also tell you the specific instances where it’s unsafe to drive a recalled vehicle, or recommend you avoid certain activities—such as using a particular feature that may put occupants at risk, or parking it close to a structure if the vehicle is at risk of catching fire, it added.