Nissan is the latest automaker to announce its official support of the National Safety Council's Check to Protect safety initiative, which aims to reduce the number of vehicles with open safety recalls on the nation's roadways.

Today, nearly one in four vehicles on the road has an open, unrepaired safety recall. While some owners are unaware of their vehicle's recall status, others know they have a recall but do not perceive the issue to be significant.

Through Check to Protect, Nissan and the council will join forces to spread the word with motorists about the importance of checking their vehicle for open safety recalls. The program guides owners on what to do in the event they discover their car has an open recall. Typically, owners can get their vehicles repaired at no cost at an authorized dealership.

Together, Nissan and the council will promote the official CheckToProtect.org website as well as boost overall awareness about vehicle recalls though community outreach, ad campaigns, social media, dealership participation, and other communication programs.

Nissan is the third major automaker to become an official Check to Protect partner, joining Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Toyota Motor North America.

"Nissan is committed to the safety and security of our customers and their passengers," said Selim Hammoud, director of product safety for Nissan North America. "It is vitally important that owners know what recalls apply to their vehicles and to have remedy work completed as soon as possible. Nissan Group supports the important work of the National Safety Council and its Check to Protect initiatives."

Other organizations that have committed to partnering with the council to reduce open recalls include AARP, Governors Highway Safety Association, National Automobile Dealers Association, National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, National Auto Auction Association, and more than a dozen states.