Minor mechanical problems are common in motor vehicles, especially as they age, but dangerous defects are unacceptable. When you spend a little extra for a car with all the latest safety features, it’s reasonable to assume the vehicle is in good working order. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Here’s what you should know about vehicle defects and safety recalls that may cause dangerous auto accidents.

Some manufacturer defects do not pose a safety risk, such as malfunctioning radios or engines that consume too much oil. While these are annoying, they are unlikely to result in a recall. Safety-related defects are those that increase the risk of causing an auto accident or sustaining more severe injuries in a collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most common defects in this category include malfunctioning steering components, sticky accelerators, defective airbags, wiring issues, weak wheels, and faulty seat belts.

To protect your family, it’s wise to track all safety recalls for your vehicle’s manufacturer. If your car is less than 15 years old, you can check its recall status on the NHTSA site. If some part of your car has been recalled, stop driving it until the defect has been repaired.