Outstanding Vehicle Safety Recalls

Transport Canada estimates that almost 20% of vehicles have an outstanding safety recall. Manufacturers will notify owners of these recalls if the owner's address is kept current, otherwise it is up to the vehicle owner to check for and arrange with the dealer for repairs. While this is not difficult to do, you have to remember to do it.

Manufacturer's Resources

Many manufacturers already enable vehicle owners to input their vehicle's VIN into their website search utility to identify recalls and indicate if they have been acted on or not.

Rules requiring the provision of online recall information and a VIN lookup tool came into force on January 1, 2025. All manufacturers must provide this to consumers by mid-2026.

Transport Canada's Resources

You can look up recalls, report a potential safety defect, find results of defect investigations, get recall updates and alerts by visiting Transport Canada's website.

Why Worry?

You should worry about a vehicle recall because it often involves safety issues that can put you, your passengers, and other road users at risk. Ignoring a recall can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. While some recalls might seem minor, they are still important to address to prevent potential future problems.

Purchasing a Used Vehicle

If you are considering buying a used vehicle from a source other than a dealership for that vehicle checking for outstanding recalls is important. It is possible that a curbside seller has not done this and will not be able to tell you about it.

What To Do About Recalls

• If your vehicle is listed in a recall, contact the service department at the dealership for your vehicle's make.
• Book an appointment to have the recall repairs performed.
• Recall repairs are typically conducted at no cost to the vehicle owner.

Learn More

• Recall information for vehicles, tires and child car seats

Share This Article