Vehicle repairs, maintenance, warranties, and recalls

Repairs and maintenance

Proper repairs and regular maintenance are essential for vehicle safety and reliability. Taking good care of your vehicle can extend its life by years and potentially save you thousands of dollars. The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) recommends the following tips and resources to help you care for and protect your vehicle.

Find a licensed auto shop

Auto shops must hold an automotive repair dealer license issued by BAR to perform vehicle repair and maintenance services for compensation in California. When seeking repairs and services, try our Auto Shop Locator to find a licensed shop in your area and be sure to verify the license.

If you decide to use a mobile repair business, make sure the business’ name, license number, and telephone number are displayed on the business vehicle or any online advertisement before committing to using their services.

If your vehicle needs Smog Check repairs, work with a Smog Check station licensed to perform repairs, and be sure to check your vehicle owner's manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for emission-related components that may be covered under your vehicle's warranty. You may also be eligible for assistance with repairing or retiring your vehicle through our Consumer Assistance Program.

Auto Shop Locator 

Maintain your vehicle

Be sure to read your vehicle owner’s manual for important information on your vehicle’s maintenance and service needs, including fluid requirements, help with interpreting warning indicator lights, and details concerning your vehicle’s warranty. Here are some other resources to help you maintain your vehicle:

Know your rights

When taking your vehicle to the shop for repairs or service, it’s important to know your rights. Under California’s Automotive Repair Act, you are entitled to:

  • An estimate – Before beginning any repairs, the auto shop must provide you with an estimate showing the estimated price for parts and labor and obtain your authorization.
  • An invoice – After completing all repairs, the auto shop must provide you with an invoice showing the final price for parts and labor.
  • Return of replaced parts – You can request the shop return any parts it replaces on your vehicle, but be sure to ask for those parts before authorizing the estimate.

Request a collision repair inspection

Collision repairs are often hidden by the vehicle’s panels, so it can be hard to tell if repairs were performed correctly—or if they were done at all. The same can be true for total loss vehicles that are repaired and returned to service under salvage title.

BAR's Auto Body Inspection Program offers a convenient, no-cost inspection of collision-related repairs to help ensure the safety of you and your vehicle. If you recently had collision repairs made to your vehicle or have a total loss vehicle that has been repaired and returned to service under salvage title, request an inspection today.

Want to see the Auto Body Inspection Program in action? Watch our informative video!

Request an inspection 

File a complaint

Most consumers have a generally positive experience when taking their vehicle to an auto shop for repairs or services. But, if you have concerns about a shop’s work or service and cannot resolve those issues with the shop's management, we encourage you to file a complaint. A BAR representative will work with you and the licensee to try and resolve the issue.

Vehicle warranties

The majority of new vehicles come with an express manufacturer’s warranty that gives you certain rights if the vehicle does not perform as promised. These warranties are included in the price of your new vehicle. Dealerships may also sell service contracts—sometimes called extended warranties—for both new and used vehicles. Refer to your vehicle owner's manual or the vehicle manufacturer for specific warranty coverage.

To learn more about vehicle warranties, see the following resources:

  • California Lemon Law – Covers new and used vehicles sold or leased in California that come with the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty. If the manufacturer or dealer can’t repair a serious warranty defect in your vehicle after a “reasonable” number of repair attempts, the manufacturer must either replace the vehicle, or refund its purchase price (whichever you prefer).
  • California Vehicle Emissions Warranty Periods – Emission-related components may be covered under your vehicle's warranty. Check your vehicle owner's manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for more information. To check warranty requirements by vehicle type, visit the California Air Resources Board's emissions warranty webpage.
  • Extended Warranties and Service Contracts – Consumer advice from the Federal Trade Commission on how to determine if an extended warranty or service contract is right for you, and how to report problems.
  • Guide to Automobile Service Contracts, Extended Warranties, and Other Repair Agreements – Information from the California Department of Insurance on buying and using a vehicle service contract or similar agreement to cover the cost of future vehicle repairs.
  • Magnuson Moss Warranty Act – Learn about your rights to have repairs and maintenance services performed by your trusted auto shop—not just the dealership.

Safety recalls

A safety recall is issued when a vehicle manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a vehicle or any of its systems or components creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Vehicle manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing or replacing the recalled part(s). The repairs are made at no cost to the consumer.

If you receive a safety recall notice for your vehicle, ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers by scheduling to have the necessary repairs made as soon as possible. Here are some simple steps:

1. Access your vehicle’s recall information – Enter your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number at www.NHTSA.gov/recalls to review any recall information for your vehicle, including important repair instructions.

2. Schedule the recall repair – Contact your vehicle manufacturer or your local dealership to schedule the repair. The recall repair will be made at no cost to you.

3. Signup for recall alerts – Subscribe to NHTSA’s Recall Notification Email System to receive alerts about any future safety recalls.

Not sure if your vehicle has open recalls? Visit www.NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter your 17-character VIN in the easy-to-use lookup tool.