National Teen Driver Safety Week runs October 19–25, 2025 — its 18th year. Every year, the conversation focuses on the same things: distracted driving, seat belts, speeding, passengers. All legitimate concerns. But there's a gap in the conversation that doesn't get enough attention.
What about the car?
Teens often drive older, higher-mileage vehicles. They're handed down from parents, bought cheap on Facebook Marketplace, or bought by parents trying to save money. These vehicles frequently have deferred maintenance, ignored warning lights, and in some cases, open safety recalls. That's not a recipe for safe teen driving — no matter how careful the driver is.
The Recall Problem
As of 2025, there are tens of millions of vehicles on U.S. roads with open safety recalls. Many of those vehicles are being driven by teenagers.
Recalls cover things like airbags that deploy with explosive shrapnel, steering components that can fail at speed, brake issues, and fire risks. A teen who drives safely but sits behind a defective Takata airbag is still in danger.
Check your teen's vehicle at NHTSA's recall lookup tool: nhtsa.gov/recalls. You need only the VIN, which is on the dashboard and the driver's side door frame. The lookup is free and takes about 30 seconds. If there's an open recall, contact the dealer — recall repairs are done at no cost to you.
The Mechanical Safety Checklist
Beyond recalls, run through these before your teen hits the road this fall and winter:
Tires
- Tread depth above 2/32" (use the penny test — Lincoln's head should be partially covered)
- No visible cracks, bulges, or uneven wear
- Proper inflation (check the sticker inside the driver's door, not the number on the tire sidewall)
Brakes
- No grinding, squealing, or pulling to one side when stopping
- Brake pedal firm, not spongy or low
Lights
- All headlights, brake lights, and turn signals working
- Headlight aim not blinding oncoming traffic
Wipers and visibility
- Wiper blades clear the windshield without streaking
- Rear defroster functional
- No significant chips or cracks in the windshield
Safety systems
- Airbag warning light off (if it's on, the airbag may not deploy in a crash)
- ABS warning light off
- Seat belts latch, retract, and lock properly
Don't Skip the Pre-Purchase Inspection
If you're buying a used car for a teen driver, pay $100–$150 to have an independent mechanic inspect it before you hand over money. Not the seller's mechanic. Not the lot's mechanic. An independent shop or mobile mechanic with no stake in the sale.
This single step prevents buying a car with hidden damage, worn-out brakes, or safety issues that aren't visible without a lift.
The Conversation Worth Having
Beyond the physical car, talk to your teen about what to do when something goes wrong mechanically. Does your teen know what to do if a warning light comes on? If a tire blows out? If the car starts pulling to one side?
Most teens don't. And "just pull over somewhere safe and call me" is a legitimate and reasonable answer. The point is that they should have a plan before they need one.
Teen Driver Safety Week is a good reminder that safe driving involves a safe car. Check the recalls. Inspect the tires. Make sure the lights work.
For help finding a trustworthy mechanic to inspect your teen's vehicle, visit /find-a-mechanic/.