Are Recalls a Secret Weapon for Customer Retention?

Most dealerships see recalls as a hassle or even a pain—but what if they’re actually the key to customer retention? In a recent Retention Roadmap episode, Ryan Maher, CEO of BizzyCar, shared how AI, automation, and mobile service are turning recalls into revenue-driving opportunities. Here’s a bit of what we discussed and how smart dealers are making recalls work for them.

Key takeaways

• Recalls bring customers back. On average, recall customers haven’t visited in 635 days—some for over 1,000 days.
• Recalls are profitable. With a 70% gross margin, they generate solid revenue and lead to upsells.
• Automation makes recalls easier. AI-driven recall outreach cuts down on missed opportunities and boosts 64% reactivation rates.
• Mobile service increases capacity. It solves appointment availability issues and makes service more convenient for customers.

The problem with recalls in dealerships

Managing recalls shouldn’t be so complicated, but it is. The process is broken in most dealerships:

1. OEMs send out recall notices, but they don’t always reach the right customers.
2. Service teams rely on multiple systems—DMS, service tools, OEM portals—with no easy way to track everything in one place.
3. Training someone to handle recalls takes time, and then they leave—so you’re back to square one.

Missed recall opportunities = missed revenue

Every time a customer brings in a car and leaves without getting recall work done, that’s a missed opportunity. And the numbers are huge: some dealerships have missed recall rates over 50%—meaning half of recall customers aren’t getting the work done.

The biggest reason? Time. Customers don’t want to wait around, and advisors aren’t setting the right expectations.

Recalls can be a headache for customers, too

From the customer’s perspective, recalls aren’t exactly great news. They often:

• Feel like an inconvenience—one more thing to deal with.
• Assume the dealership will take forever to schedule them.
• Worry that fixing the recall will lead to a big upsell they weren’t planning on.

This is where dealerships can flip the script—turning recalls into a way to win back customers instead of pushing them away.

Turning recalls into a retention opportunity

Recalls bring customers back after years away

The truth is, recalls are one of the best tools to bring lost customers back:

• On average, customers who come in for recall work haven’t visited in 635 days—almost two years.
• For luxury brands, it’s even longer—some haven’t been back in 1,000+ days.
• Without recalls, most of these customers would never return.

Instead of treating recall customers like an afterthought, dealerships should treat them like a second chance to earn their business.

Recalls aren’t just good for retention—they’re profitable

It’s easy to think of recalls as low-value work, but that’s not the case:

• Recalls have a 70% gross margin, making them more profitable than express services.
• Many customers coming in for recalls are overdue for maintenance, tires, or other services.
• Dealerships that handle recall visits the right way set themselves up for repeat business.

The best part? Most customers come back again

What happens after a customer comes in for a recall? 64% come back for another service within a year. That reactivation rate is proof that recalls do more than just fix an issue.

If dealerships focus on treating recall customers well, they’re setting up future revenue opportunities—whether it’s for an oil change, new tires, or even a new car purchase.

A huge advantage: texting customers without TCPA restrictions

One of the biggest roadblocks for dealerships is texting customers without violating regulations.

• Recall outreach is exempt from TCPA, meaning dealerships can text every recall customer—even if they’re not on the marketing list.
• That means higher engagement, faster scheduling, and more customers actually coming in.

Mobile service makes recall work more appealing

Mobile service takes the hassle out of recalls—for both dealerships and customers. Instead of waiting weeks for an appointment or losing customers to inconvenience, dealerships can bring the service to them.

Here’s how mobile service makes recall management easier and more profitable:

• More completed recalls: Customers are far more likely to say yes when they don’t have to visit the dealership.
• Faster scheduling: No need to juggle packed shop schedules—mobile service adds capacity without extra bays.
• Higher upsell potential: Once a mobile tech is on-site, customers are often happy to take care of oil changes, battery replacements, or other basic services too.
• Stronger retention: A hassle-free recall experience makes customers more likely to return for future service.

For dealerships looking to turn recalls into a real retention tool, mobile service is a game-changer.

Automating and streamlining recall management

Most dealerships struggle with recalls because the process is too manual—but it doesn’t have to be. Automation takes the legwork out of tracking recalls and scheduling appointments. Instead of chasing down recall customers, service teams should be focused on delivering a great experience.

For example, BizzyCar’s system automates recall outreach, so there’s no training needed. No logins, no dashboards, no buttons to click—it just works. AI handles the process, so service teams don’t waste time tracking down customers one by one.

That means advisors can spend more time building trust, upselling when it makes sense, and making sure customers leave happy.

The dealers who move fast will win

The auto industry is changing—fast. The dealers who embrace AI, mobile service, and automated recall management will:

• Keep customers coming back for service.
• Sell more high-margin repairs.
• Build stronger relationships and earn long-term customer loyalty.

Recalls shouldn’t be a headache—they’re a goldmine

For dealerships that handle them right, recalls are one of the best tools for winning back lost customers and driving revenue.

Instead of dreading recall work, dealerships should see it as a huge opportunity to increase retention and service revenue. The ones that adapt, automate, and offer mobile solutions will be the ones that thrive.

Want to learn more about what’s working in service retention lately? See how one dealership won lasting customer loyalty, to be recommended by 98% of customers.