Automotive

The world’s leading product recall company. Supporting the automotive sector since 1995.

DRIVING AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY

We are proud to partner with 9/10 of the world’s leading automakers.

Navigating the complex terrain of automotive product safety is crucial in an industry marked by heightened safety awareness. The ramifications of mishandling a product recall extends from reputational damage to potentially ruinous financial consequences. Driven by a steadfast commitment to safety, the majority of product recalls initiated by the sector are precautionary, resulting in an elevated frequency. Moreover, the continued adoption of modular designs, common product platforms and supply-chain partners, means that a single defect in one component can result in sector-wide complications.

The ongoing technological shift towards electric and autonomous mobility introduces new challenges, underscoring the criticality of product safety and recall management in this transformative era.

Whether you’re planning for — or currently facing — a product recall or any other in-market product incident, our experts are on hand to support you.

The world's leading automotive product recall company

THE EVOLVING
RISK LANDSCAPE

As the automotive industry accelerates toward an autonomous, electrified, and connected future, the escalating complexity of vehicles marks the onset of a new era fraught with brand and reputational risks.

At the heart of the sector’s transformation lies the intricate and stringent safety requirements embedded within evolving technologies. From lithium-ion batteries to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), V2X, and beyond, these innovations serve as the linchpin, demanding a zero-tolerance approach towards defects.

Discover below how Sedgwick Brand Protection is uniquely positioned to support you in navigating this dynamic risk landscape.

PRODUCT RECALL MANAGEMENT FOR AUTOMAKERS

Over the last 10 years, global automotive recall events have increased 4.8% annually.

In the event of a vehicle recall, quick and decisive action helps automakers maintain compliance with relevant regulatory agencies, while also safeguarding brand image, preserving customer relationships and controlling costs. Without the appropriate plan, expertise and people in place, a product recall event can cause irreparable brand damage.

Since 1995, we’ve helped the world’s leading automakers and component manufacturers uphold their commitments of product safety to customers, supply chain partners and regulators. With Sedgwick Brand Protection, you have access to a completely scalable, end-to-end product recall solution, coupled with unrivalled automotive experience.

We have successfully managed more than 7,000 of the most sensitive and time-critical recall events, spanning 100+ countries and 50+ languages.

 

The world's leading product recall company

VIRTUAL INSPECTIONS

In an era of increasing adoption of AI, it is time OEMs leverage technology to enhance recall management while improving customer satisfaction. Our virtual inspections are the first step.

Our innovative ‘industry-first’ virtual inspection solution is utilized by some of the world’s leading automakers to help efficiently – and cost effectively – manage a host of recall and remediation events, from airbags, to brake boosters, to seatbelts, and much more. Whatever your requirement, the solution’s modular design and infrastructure is flexible to accommodate.

Our customised solution is designed to validate whether an owner’s vehicle is impacted by a specific safety issue or defect. Once an owner has uploaded required details and photos for virtual inspection, they are sent personalized guidance on next steps in responding to your recall or remediation programme.

By conducting these initial evaluations virtually, OEMs are narrowing the scope of their recalls, refining the impacted population, and significantly reducing costly and inconvenient in-person inspection.

The portal empowers OEMs to validate repairs or aftermarket changes that result in the vehicle no longer being subject to recall. Similarly, to the degree the required repair has geographic limitations, the OEM can make determinations on whether a repair is in fact required.

Discover how you can bolster customer satisfaction and recall completion rates with our virtual inspection solution – simply click on the ‘discover more’ button below. To request a demo, please complete the short contact form at the bottom of this page and a member of our team will be in touch.

 

The world's leading automotive product recall company

VEHICLE & OWNER DATA ENHANCEMENT

Accurate vehicle and owner information is crucial to achieving higher repair/completion rates when facing a product recall.

On average, there is a 20% change of vehicle ownership annually and 11% change of address annually; many databases that track vehicle ownership are seldom updated frequently, meaning that ownership data (including contact information) is often out-of-date – this can make it extremely difficult to contact vehicle owners in the event of a product recall, warranty issue or repair.

Our proprietary data management solutions provide updated addresses, emails and phone numbers for the most comprehensive vehicle owner insights in the industry. We can also obtain information on VINs that have been scrapped, stolen or exported and are no longer in use on the roads. This immediately boosts repair rates, eases the strain on parts planning and reduces the burden on dealership staff.

Furthermore, we are able to track current disposition status (including non-responding vehicle owners) and manage VINs that come back into service, maintaining compliance with regulatory agencies.

The world's leading product recall company

MOBILE REPAIR

Revolutionizing aftersales through innovative remote repairs.

In the fiercely competitive aftersales market, alternative repair solutions represent a strategic differentiator. Trusted by the world’s leading automakers our Remote Repairs solutions elevate the customer experience, offering unparalleled levels of convenience. By eliminating the need for drivers to visit physical locations, OEMs and dealers can swiftly address issues through our ‘pop-up’ repair centers. We deploy mobile technicians precisely when and where it suits the vehicle owner.

Our mobile repair solutions are indispensable for automakers seeking to penetrate rural markets, where franchised dealer service stations are neither nearby nor convenient. Simultaneously, they prove invaluable in major metropolitan areas where a substantial number of VINs require prompt and efficient repair.

The world's leading automotive product recall company

REACQUISITION SERVICES

Whether arising from a “lemon law” claim, as part of a product recall, or due to other circumstances, the need to repurchase or replace a vehicle is a universal challenge faced by all automakers.

Regardless of the cause, buybacks entail intricate financial transactions, logistical challenges, and stringent regulatory compliance, often overwhelming internal OEM resources.

Trusted by the world’s leading automakers, we specialise in providing industry-leading reacquisition services. Through direct collaboration with vehicle owners, we proactively resolve issues before escalation, resulting in substantial cost savings.

Our holistic management of reacquisitions leverages expertise in navigating diverse local laws governing motor buybacks. Supported by an industry-leading, highly automated platform, our process is streamlined and efficient, effectively helping to mitigate legal risks. This strategic approach empowers automakers to concentrate on their core duties while entrusting the intricate complexities of reacquisitions to our proven capabilities.

The world's leading automotive product recall company

WARRANTY & SETTLEMENT PROGRAMS

Developing and deploying warranty solutions can act as a strategic differentiator for automakers, propelling them to the forefront of the highly competitive sector.

While often perceived as cost centers that accumulate expenses during product recalls, well-managed warranty programs can be instrumental in maintaining consumer engagement, ensuring satisfaction, fostering loyalty, and safeguarding the brand in times of crisis.

We provide comprehensive support to automakers across all facets of warranty and settlement reimbursement. This includes handling claim submission, document validation, customer care, funds disbursement, case resolution, and audit reporting – all while ensuring compliance with relevant settlement requirements.

To address the challenge of gathering essential information and supporting documents for warranty claims, our industry-leading proprietary recall and warranty application solution empowers customers to seamlessly submit their claims along with the necessary documentation. Upon receipt of this information, we initiate a meticulous process of quality inspections, ensuring precision, eliminating duplicate claims, and mitigating the risk of potential fraud.

The world's leading automotive product recall company

CLAIM MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Streamlining automotive claims management through dynamic portal solutions.

When facing a product recall, robust data management and meticulous record-keeping play a pivotal role in ensuring effective customer engagement, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation. The complexity intensifies when warranty and settlement claims enter the picture.

To address this intricate landscape, our electronic claim and case management services are designed to seamlessly integrate with OEMs’ systems and processes. Facilitated through an innovative web portal, both vehicle owners and settlement coordinators can communicate electronically on various aspects, including claim status, document exchange, funds disbursement, case diary entries, and vehicle owner information. This streamlined electronic communication platform significantly enhances the efficiency and transparency of the entire claim process.

The world's leading product recall company

RETRIEVAL & DISPOSAL

We provide the automotive industry’s most extensive retrieval and disposal services, ensuring rapid and compliant remediation on an global scale.

Return logistics:  our services encompass global end-to-end solutions for the removal, processing, storage and return or destruction of vehicles and their parts. Whether retrieving a single part for investigation or remanufacturing, recovering an entire vehicle, or refurbishing returned vehicles for future use, we provide comprehensive logistics and infrastructure support for commercial, warranty, or end-of-use returns.

Hazardous waste retrieval:  we ensure that damaged, defective and obsolete vehicle parts are disposed of in compliance with numerous – sometimes conflicting – international and regional regulations. Our offerings include environmentally conscious recycling and repurposing options, covering hazardous waste associated with airbags, batteries, chemicals, seatbelt tensioners, modules, and much more.

Our comprehensive services cover every aspect, from data processing and secure transportation to meticulous documentation, regulatory reporting, certified destruction, and safe, compliant recycling and disposal. Additionally, we can provide tailored solutions to accommodate your specific needs.

The world's leading automotive product recall company

INDUSTRY-LEADING CALL CENTER SOLUTIONS

With Sedgwick Brand Protection, gain 24-7-365 access to a global team of brand ambassadors ready to field calls from concerned customers.

Whether due to a new or ongoing automotive product recall, warranty issue, or an influx of goodwill claims or reimbursements, you need a partner you can trust to improve inquiry response times while ensuring the customer experience upholds your brand promise.

Trusted by 9 out of 10 of the world’s leading automakers, our deep industry experience and knowledge of the sector is unparalleled. Our brand ambassadors view every interaction as an opportunity to create a positive post-purchase experience for your customers.

The result is loyalty rooted in more than warranty programs and goodwill, but rather Customer Lifetime Value. Our call center solutions are flexible and scalable to meet your needs. Since 1995 we have provided automakers with:

  • Instant on-demand support that adds flexibility and agility to existing customer engagement infrastructures, alleviating pressure on resources as call volumes surge – ensuring vital day-to-day business operations are not compromised.
  • Scalability in size and duration, from short-term engagements to long-term programs in response to one-time product recalls or persistent issues. Flexibility on-demand – simply dial up and down as required.
Industry leading product recall call centers
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ESSENTIAL INSIGHT

For over a decade, Sedgwick brand protection has published its quarterly Recall Index report. Downloaded in more than 100 countries, the Index has established itself as the definitive guide to automotive product safety. Access high-level insights below and download our latest edition in full.

 

U.S. Automotive Product Safety & Recall Insights

European Automotive Product Safety & Recall Insights

SEDGWICK BRAND PROTECTION

The world's leading product recall company

For over 25 years, companies of all sizes and sectors have trusted our expertise in preparing for and managing their product-related challenges. Since 1995, we’ve successfully managed more than 7,000 of the most sensitive and time-critical product recall programs, spanning 100 countries and 50 languages.

Whether your in-house teams need scalability to maintain daily operations during a product crisis, or you require a complete end-to-end product recall solution, we have the experience to protect your brand and peace of mind.

If you’re currently facing a product recall, or seeking to enhance your recall readiness, contact us now.

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CONTACT US

Whether you’re planning for — or currently facing — a product recall, market withdrawal, or any other in-market product incident, our experts are on hand to support you.