Attorney General Brnovich Announces Settlement with CarMax Over the Disclosure of Safety Recalls

PHOENIX – Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a $1 million multistate settlement with CarMax Auto Superstores, Inc. that will require CarMax to disclose open (unrepaired) recalls related to the safety of its used vehicles before selling those vehicles to consumers.

“Consumers should never be left in the dark, especially when it comes to health and safety,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich.  “My office has a long history of putting consumers and their families first. Companies that do not share that same priority will be held accountable.”

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


Under today’s announced settlement, CarMax is required to include hyperlinks for vehicles advertised online and QR codes for vehicles on sales lots that link directly to any open recalls on the vehicle so consumers can access this data as they shop.  CarMax also must present consumers with copies of any open recalls before presenting any other sales paperwork. CarMax has already implemented these disclosure provisions.

Knowledge of an open recall empowers consumers by making them aware that there is an unresolved issue with a vehicle.  Consumers properly informed with this knowledge can then decide whether to purchase the vehicle. Subsequently, a consumer can use this important information to bring the vehicle to an authorized dealer to get the issue resolved. 

Arizona will receivapproximately $22,000 from this national settlement.      

This case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Alyse Meislik. 

If you believe you have been a victim of or experienced consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General’s website. If you need a complaint form sent to you, please contact the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside those metro areas at 1(800) 352-8431.  

Read the terms of the settlement here.