Car maintenance and repairs can be a major drain on drivers. They are often costly and time consuming, which results in many motorists putting the tasks off for as long as possible. Unfortunately, the same holds true for recall notices. Although dealerships may offer to fix recall problems for free, many drivers don't bother having their vehicles looked at. In today's auto industry, that can be incredibly risky and short-sighted. 

Recalls becoming more common
Motorists experienced a record number of recalls in 2014. The New York Times reported that more than 60 million cars were recalled throughout the year – more than double the previous record high in 2004. That is troubling on its own, but many drivers are not having the issues fixed.

A recent report from Carfax found that about 46 million vehicles across the U.S. have at least one safety recall that has never been addressed. The biggest risk is with minivans and SUVs: As many as 1 in 3 vans and 1 in 5 SUVs have an outstanding recall. Approximately 5 million of these cars were bought and sold throughout the year, indicating that buyers are ignoring vehicle history and potential problems. 

Mid-Atlantic drivers must be aware
Drivers in New Jersey and surrounding states need to stay on top of their game with regard to recalls. According to the Carfax report, New Jersey is one of the states with the highest ratios of unfixed cars in the nation, only beat by West Virginia, Michigan, Mississippi and Wyoming. Additionally, Pennsylvania and New York are among the top five states with the largest number of unaddressed recalls. 

Know the vehicle history
With recalls and the corresponding lack of repairs staking a claim as one of the most important issues in the auto industry, it's essential for drivers to pay attention to the problems. That starts with examining a vehicle's history and ensuring any recalls have been addressed. You'll also have to look to the future. Make sure to complete any and all required paperwork so you know you can be contacted in the event there's a bug found on your make and model. 

At New Jersey State Auto Auction, the auction lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans. You'll be able to take a look at the vehicle history of each model and make sure there are no outstanding issues.