Attorney General Phil Weiser announces multistate settlement with CarMax over disclosure of safety recalls

Dec. 1, 2022 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil Weiser today announced a multistate settlement with CarMax Auto Superstores, Inc., requiring the used car dealer to disclose open safety recalls to consumers before they buy a car. The settlement stems from an investigation opened due to concerns that consumers were not aware of unrepaired and potentially serious safety recalls in purchased used vehicles.

“Failing to alert someone to an open recall on their car could put their lives at risk,” Weiser said. “This settlement makes clear that CarMax must warn consumers of such known safety threats before selling them a vehicle.”

Under the terms of the settlement, CarMax must now include hyperlinks for vehicles advertised online and QR codes for vehicles on the lot that link directly to any open recalls on the vehicle so consumers can access this data as they shop. CarMax will also present consumers with copies of any open recalls and obtain their signature on those documents before presenting any other sales paperwork. Additionally, CarMax agrees to not represent vehicles as “safe.”

CarMax will also pay a total of $1 million to the states, including $20,000 to Colorado.

CarMax will continue to use the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s vehicle identification number tool to provide this important safety information to consumers. Consumers can also use this tool to check for any open recalls on their vehicles.

Weiser was joined in the multistate settlement by the attorneys general of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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