Recalls are stacking up fast. Ford issued 88 in the first half of the year alone, and nearly 1 in 4 vehicles on U.S. roads now has an open recall. On top of that, 1 in 5 specialty vehicles, such as RVs, boats, and motorcycles are also waiting for recall services. But while OEMs push for completions, many dealers simply don’t have the time or staff to prioritize them.
That’s where AI steps in. In this post, we’ll answer the top questions dealerships ask about using Service AI to automate recall outreach, covering everything from ROI to scheduling.
What’s the real business value of working recall lists consistently?
Every recall on your list carries built-in value. OEMs typically reimburse around $350 per completed recall repair, and that’s just the starting point. Beyond the direct incentive, recall appointments create a natural opportunity to perform additional maintenance while the vehicle is in the bay. This can generate extra revenue and strengthen your relationship with the customer.
Recalls also bring inactive or lost customers back into your service lane. When a customer engages with your dealership for a recall, it reinforces trust and can influence future purchasing decisions. In fact, many dealers find that recall-related service touchpoints lead to vehicle repurchases or upsells. At scale, a well-run recall campaign can generate anywhere from $100K to $1M in revenue, depending on list size and follow-up.
Why should recalls be a priority when my team is already at capacity?
It’s not that recalls aren’t important, but manual follow-up is time-consuming. When your team is already stretched, recalls often get deprioritized. AI changes that equation by handling outreach and follow-up automatically.
With AI managing communication, your team only engages when customers are ready to schedule, turning what used to be cold calling into inbound requests. Dealers like Austin Subaru now give their BDC lists of pre-qualified customers instead of labor-intensive cold-call spreadsheets, allowing staff to focus on booking appointments and providing high-quality service.
What happens if I don’t work my recall lists?
Ignoring recall lists can leave tens of thousands of dollars in revenue on the table each month, $10K–$50K or more, depending on dealership size. OEMs may penalize poor completion rates, withhold incentives or note underperformance in dealer evaluations.
There’s also a reputational risk. Customers expect proactive communication regarding safety recalls, and failure to address them can erode trust. Delaying outreach makes re-engagement more difficult, especially for older vehicles or those that have changed ownership. Effectively, unattended recall lists represent missed opportunities for both revenue and customer retention.
How does recall outreach impact CSI and OEM satisfaction?
Recall completion rates factor into many OEM dealer performance assessments. Proactive communication and fast completion can improve a dealership’s standing, while neglecting recalls may hurt evaluations.
Customers also notice timely communication. AI ensures that every lead receives follow-up, preventing recalls from falling through the cracks. This proactive approach not only safeguards customer satisfaction but can also improve CSI scores, turning a routine recall into a positive service experience.
What types of dealerships benefit most from AI recall automation?
Large dealerships can automate thousands of records simultaneously, freeing their BDC to handle only booked appointments. Smaller dealerships benefit by running recall campaigns without needing additional staff.
Specialty dealers, such as RV, marine, and powersports locations, often face challenging segments of recall work where older units go neglected. AI enables these dealers to engage customers in these typically difficult areas, ensuring that even hard-to-reach segments receive attention and appointments are scheduled efficiently.
Regardless of size or specialty, AI ensures recall outreach gets done without burdening your current team.
How fast will I see results?
Recall campaigns can launch the same day your list is uploaded. Dealers typically see 85–90% reach rates within 24 hours. Response rates via text average 40–50%, with 20–30% of reachable customers booking appointments directly.
Performance data is available in real time, making ROI easy to track. With AI handling outreach and follow-up, the speed of engagement is dramatically higher than traditional methods like phone calls or email alone.
Will this work with my DMS, CRM, or scheduler?
Kenect Service AI is deeply integrated with most major DMS and CRM systems, ensuring smooth operation and accurate data management. In certain systems, Service AI will automate outreach by syncing VIN data, making it easy to match vehicles and customers automatically. Appointment outcomes and campaign activity can also flow back into your platforms, keeping workflows efficient and organized.
Even when full integration isn’t available, AI can notify your team when action is needed, ensuring that recall campaigns stay on track without adding workload.
Can AI actually schedule appointments automatically?
Yes. For supported schedulers, such as Xtime, AI can book appointments directly into your calendar—no manual steps required. Even in more complex scenarios, such as mobile recalls or jobs needing specific parts, AI minimizes human intervention by intelligently routing only the exceptions to your team. The goal isn’t to add another task—it’s to eliminate the need for manual scheduling altogether, so your staff can focus on service, rather than spreadsheets.
This flexibility allows you to maintain control while automating where it makes sense, ensuring efficiency without compromising the quality of customer interactions.
Using Service AI for recalls doesn’t just help you check boxes. It turns compliance into opportunity. With faster outreach, higher engagement, and automated scheduling, your team can focus on what matters most: delivering great service, driving revenue, and building long-term customer trust. Start leveraging AI today and transform your recall process from a chore into a revenue engine.
