How to Check if Your Car Was Recalled (And What Happens Next)

It’s quite a common scenario – vehicle recalls are very common in Canada. In fact, each year millions of vehicles on the road in Canada are subject to safety recalls. If you’re unfamiliar with how car recalls work, what to do when you receive one, and how you can find out whether your car has been recalled, we’ve provided all the resources and guidance to help you.

TL;DR

A vehicle recall is issued when a safety-related defect is discovered in a car. Automakers (or Transport Canada) will send out a safety recall notice to alert owners if their vehicle is affected. If your car is recalled, contact an authorized dealer to schedule the free repair as soon as possible. You can also proactively check for recalls by entering your VIN number on the manufacturer's website or by searching Transport Canada's online recall database.

Key Takeaways

• Recalls are about safety: Automakers must issue a recall notice when a safety defect is found. Recall repairs are performed free of charge to the owner by authorized dealers.
  
  
• How to check for recalls: You can check for any open recalls on your vehicle by searching the Government of Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database or by entering your VIN number on your vehicle manufacturer's recall lookup site.
  
  
• Don’t ignore recall notices: If you receive a recall notice, schedule the repair with your local dealer as soon as possible. Even minor issues should be fixed promptly to ensure your vehicle remains safe.
  
  
• Recalls don’t expire: A recall doesn’t expire or go away. If a defect was never fixed, the recall stays open (so always check a used vehicle for open recalls before buying).
  
  
• If no fix is available yet: In rare cases where a recall repair isn’t immediately available, stay in contact with your dealer. Manufacturers might provide interim solutions (like a temporary fix or loaner car) and will notify you once a permanent fix is ready.
  
  

How automakers announce vehicle recalls in Canada

Auto manufacturers in Canada are legally required (under the Government of Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Act) to release a recall notification when, according to Section 10 of that act, “any defect in the design, manufacture or functioning of the vehicle or equipment that affects or is likely to affect the safety of any person.”

If such a defect is identified, the manufacturer will notify Transport Canada first and then proceed to alert registered owners of the vehicle. This is usually in the form of a letter in the mail. There are rare instances when Transport Canada will identify a defect first and force the car manufacturer to respond accordingly. Transport Canada also monitors for vehicle tire recalls and child car seat recalls to ensure those safety issues are addressed.

When a recall goes out, the manufacturer will typically provide the necessary repairs free of charge. The owner, however, is responsible for scheduling the repair and bringing the car in to an authorized mechanic (usually at a dealership). 

How do I check if my car was recalled?

When a recall notification is distributed, it usually goes to registered owners of the vehicle. If you purchased your vehicle used (i.e. you’re not the original purchaser) and did not register it with the manufacturer, chances are you may not get the notification. 

The best way to avoid missing recall notices is to sign up with the manufacturer (register the vehicle in the manufacturer’s owner database) or monitor updates from Transport Canada.

Most recalls are minor in nature with little immediate threat to safety. However, it’s important to find out if a vehicle has any recall—big or small. One simple way to find out if your vehicle has been recalled is to search the Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database (you can access this database on the Government of Canada website). It’s easy to use—simply input your vehicle’s make, model, and year. If you don’t know the exact year, you can enter a range.

Another method of looking up recalls is by visiting the manufacturer’s recall website. You will need your 17-digit VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number). Here’s a list of manufacturer recall websites:

Acura	BMW	Buick
Cadillac	Chevrolet	Chrysler
Dodge	Fiat	Ford
GMC	Honda	Hyundai
Jeep	Kia	Land Rover
Lexus	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Mitsubishi	Nissan	Porsche
Subaru	Tesla	Toyota
Volkswagen	Volvo

Select your brand and enter your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your VIN can be found on the corner of your car’s dashboard (driver’s side, through the windshield).

Most vehicles have the VIN displayed in multiple places, such as on the driver’s side dashboard and on the driver’s side door jamb. The image above highlights common VIN locations. You can also find the VIN on documents like your registration or insurance, or even in your car’s owner’s manual. Once you have this number, you can perform a VIN recall check via your manufacturer’s website or database to see if your specific vehicle is subject to any recalls.

How to Perform a VIN Recall Check in Canada

Every vehicle has a unique 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Performing a VIN recall check is the most direct way to find out if your exact car has any outstanding recalls. In Canada, the best way to do a VIN-based recall lookup is usually through the vehicle manufacturer’s own recall tools:

• Manufacturer Recall Websites: Most major automakers have an online VIN lookup tool on their Canadian websites where you can input your VIN and see any open recalls or service campaigns for your vehicle. For example, FCA (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Fiat) offers a Mopar Canada recall search, and other brands like Ford, GM (Chevrolet/Buick/GMC/Cadillac), Toyota, Honda, etc., have similar VIN recall check pages. You can find these by going to the brand’s official site and looking for “Recall” or “Safety” sections. (Canada Drives has compiled a list of manufacturer recall websites; e.g. Acura, Kia, BMW, Ford, Toyota, and many more where you can enter your VIN to check for recalls.) Simply select your vehicle’s brand and enter the full 17-digit VIN number. The tool will then tell you if there are any open recalls or outstanding safety campaigns for that VIN.
  
  
• Dealership service departments: If you prefer, you can also have a local dealer run a VIN recall check for you. Just call the service department and ask them to look up your VIN for any open recalls. They have access to the manufacturer’s internal recall database and can quickly inform you if your specific vehicle needs any recall work. This can be useful if you’re not comfortable using the web tool or want confirmation from a person. They can also immediately help you schedule the recall repair if one is found.
  
  

Finding your VIN: You’ll need your VIN to do this check. The VIN is usually found on the car’s dashboard (look at the corner of the dashboard through the windshield on the driver’s side) or on the driver’s side door frame/jamb on a sticker. It’s also printed on your car’s registration and insurance documents. Once you have the VIN, you can proceed with the online lookup. If the lookup shows no outstanding recalls, then your car is all clear (or any past recalls were already fixed). If it does show a recall, contact the dealer to arrange the free repair.

Performing a VIN recall search is especially important if you suspect your vehicle might have slipped through the cracks (for example, if you moved addresses, or bought the car used from someone who might have ignored recall notices). It gives you peace of mind by confirming your car’s recall status in the manufacturer’s database.

My car has been recalled. What happens next?

There’s no reason to panic if you receive a notification in the mail that your car has been recalled. It doesn’t mean you are driving a ticking time bomb. That said, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have the issue addressed. This is not only for your safety and your passengers, but for everyone else that shares the road with you – not to mention anyone who may own the car after you. 

The recall notification should include a description of the problem and the safety risk. It should also include steps you need to follow to fix the problem, which usually means a visit to your local dealership’s service centre or an authorized mechanic.

Do I have to pay for a car recall, or is it free?

A car recall defect is no fault of yours, and you won’t have to pay for any related mechanical service. Simply contact the specified dealership or authorized mechanic listed on your recall notice and schedule an appointment for the free repair service. If the dealership needs to hold your vehicle for a significant amount of time while they do the work, ask for a loaner vehicle so you are not stranded without transportation. 

If you did not receive a notice but discovered a recall through other means, then you need to contact your local dealer and make an appointment with their service department. Remember, you can use either your manufacturer’s website or Transport Canada’s database to find details about the recall.

What happens if my car is recalled and can’t be fixed?

On occasion, a recall might be issued before a permanent fix or remedy is available. If your vehicle is recalled but the dealership informs you they can’t fix it yet (for example, due to unavailable parts or no immediate solution), you should ask what interim steps to take. Often, the manufacturer will instruct dealers to provide a temporary fix or precaution (such as a software update or guidance not to use a certain feature) until a full repair is ready. In situations where a safety defect remains unresolved for an extended period, the automaker might offer alternative solutions. For example, they could provide a rental car or even consider a vehicle buyback or replacement in extreme cases to ensure driver safety. Stay in contact with your dealer and the manufacturer – you will be notified as soon as a proper fix is developed. Remember, under safety recall regulations, the manufacturer is responsible for correcting the defect at no cost to you, the consumer.

Do car recalls expire in Canada?

Recalls do not expire in Canada. When a car has an outstanding safety recall (meaning the owner did not get the vehicle serviced to correct the defect), it is considered an open recall. Even years later, if the issue was never fixed, the recall remains open until the repair is completed. However, the timeframe during which manufacturers are obligated to notify drivers (usually the original owners) of a safety defect is limited to a couple of years after the recall is issued.

Before you buy a used vehicle, it’s important to check if the vehicle has any open recalls from the previous owner. This kind of information will show up on a vehicle history report, which many dealerships will have available free of charge. If you are buying in the private marketplace, there is less chance that the seller will provide the vehicle history report, so make sure you ask the right questions and do your own research about the car’s history.

Should I buy a car with a recall?

It is not uncommon to find a used car for sale with open recalls. Currently, it is not mandatory in any province in Canada for cars with open recalls to be fixed prior to registration. This is because recalls don’t fall under standard safety or mechanical inspections. Sellers – including dealerships – are not required to repair open recalls before selling a vehicle.

It’s important to always check the vehicle history report before making a purchasing decision on a used car. If you see one open recall, it probably shouldn’t deter you since you can get it fixed for free. If you see a whole list of open recalls on a vehicle, you might think twice about the overall reliability of that particular make and model. (Either way, plan to address any open recalls after purchase as soon as possible for safety.)

What car company has the most recalls?

Ford has had the most recalls in recent years (as of 2022), according to various reports. One report cited 40 recalls in 2022, with as many as 650,000 trucks and SUVs being recalled due to inoperative windshield wipers. Ford also recalled almost 400,000 vehicles in Canada that year due to an issue with gear shifters. (Check out our list of other recent manufacturer recalls for more examples from different brands.) 

What is the Takata airbag recall?

One of the largest recalls in automotive history was the Takata airbag recall that began in 2013. The Japanese auto parts maker initially recalled 3.6 million cars due to defective airbags. The number of recalls associated with those airbags has grown substantially since then. Transport Canada has provided a list of all recalls related to Takata airbags dating back to 2008.

FAQ

How do I know if my car has a recall in Canada?
You can find out by checking Transport Canada’s online recall database or your manufacturer’s website. Enter your car’s details (make, model, year) or search by the VIN to see if your specific vehicle is under any recall.

What is a safety recall notice?
It’s an official notice from a car manufacturer (or Transport Canada) that alerts you a vehicle has a safety-related defect. A safety recall notice will instruct you to bring the vehicle to a dealer for a free repair of the issue.

Do I have to pay for recall repairs?
No. Recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships. The vehicle’s manufacturer covers all the costs of the parts and labor needed to fix the defect – you, as the owner, pay nothing for a recall repair.

Do vehicle recalls expire or have a time limit?
Recalls never really expire. If a recall repair was never done, that recall remains open on the vehicle indefinitely. However, automakers are only required to notify the original owners about a new recall for a limited time (usually a few years after the recall is announced). Even if you weren’t notified, you can still get an old recall issue fixed for free.

Can I sell or buy a used vehicle with an open recall?
Yes, you can. In Canada, there’s no law preventing the sale of a vehicle that has an open recall. However, you should be aware of any recalls on a used vehicle you’re buying, and plan to get those issues fixed as soon as possible for safety. Likewise, if you’re selling a car, it’s a good idea to inform the buyer of any unfixed recalls.

People Also Ask

How do car recalls work in Canada?
When an automaker or Transport Canada identifies a safety defect in a motor vehicle, a recall is issued. Owners of affected vehicles are notified (usually by mail with a recall notice), and they can take the car to a dealership for free repairs to correct the problem.

How can I check for recalls on my vehicle?
Use the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database to search by your vehicle’s make, model, and year. You can also enter your car’s VIN on your manufacturer’s recall lookup webpage to see if your specific vehicle has any open recalls.

Is it safe to drive a car with a recall?
It depends on the nature of the recall. Some recalls are precautionary for minor issues, while others address serious safety problems. You shouldn’t ignore any recall – if your car has been recalled, contact your dealer to understand the risk and get the repair done as soon as possible to stay safe.

What if a recall repair is not available yet?
If the fix for a recall isn’t available immediately (for example, if parts are backordered or a remedy is still in development), the dealership will let you know what to do. You might need to wait until the solution is ready. In the meantime, follow any interim safety guidance from the manufacturer. For urgent safety issues, the automaker might provide a loaner car or temporary fix until the permanent repair is available.

Who pays for recall repairs?
The vehicle manufacturer pays for all recall repairs. As the owner, you do not have to pay anything to get a recall defect fixed – all costs for parts and labor are covered by the automaker as part of the recall.

Related Prompts

• Explain how motor vehicle safety recalls work in Canada.
  
  
• I bought a used vehicle; how can I check if it has any open recalls?
  
  
• What steps should I take if I receive a safety recall notice for my car?
  
  
• If a car recall repair isn’t available yet, what should the owner do in the meantime?
  
  
• How can I find out if a vehicle is subject to any recalls using its VIN number?