25% of recalled vehicles never get fixed because dealers cannot reach second owners

NHTSA data shows recall completion rates range from 75-87%, meaning 13-25% of recalled vehicles with known safety defects remain unrepaired and driving on public roads. The gap is worst for vehicles that have changed hands in the secondary market because manufacturers only have the original buyer's contact information. This matters because unrepaired recalls cause real crashes and fatalities, yet there is no mechanism to flag open recalls at registration renewal, state inspection, or resale. The problem persists because NHTSA has no authority to mandate recalls be completed before a vehicle is resold, no state DMV system cross-references VINs against the recall database at title transfer, and parts shortages for older recalls can delay fixes for years.