Why it’s Important to Check for Vehicle Recalls
Why it’s Important to Check for Vehicle Recalls
Posted on August 5, 2023
When buying a used vehicle, a vital step you do not want to skip is checking for any vehicle recalls. Every year millions of cars have recalls, most of the time for serious safety concerns and issues. Considering this, checking for vehicle recalls is extremely important to consider when buying a used car and if you already own a used vehicle.
Car manufacturers must notify the registered vehicle owner about any recalls it may have. However, if the registered vehicle owner is not updated with the manufacturer, the new owner will not receive any notices. Therefore, used car owners must do their due diligence for their safety. Keep Reading to learn how to check to see if your car, truck, or SUV has any pending recalls.
Contact Your Car Manufacturer
Suppose you have purchased a used vehicle or already own one. In that case, it is essential to investigate your vehicle’s recall history to check if any outstanding recalls are pending.
Contact your vehicle manufacturer to update the registered owner information so that you can be notified of any new recalls a vehicle may have. Next, contact the service department to update their database’s current registered owner information. When doing this, you will need to provide the manufacturer with your vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number). Alternatively, you can visit your local dealership and have the service department update the current registered owner information.
Vehicle Recall Information
The manufacturer issues all recalls. Dealerships and franchisees are not legally obligated to provide vehicle recall history when purchasing a used or new car. However, dealership franchises are an excellent source of information about recalls.
It is up to you, the consumer, to do your due diligence to educate yourself on your vehicle’s recall history. Then, protect yourself against any safety concerns by searching for any recalls and ensuring the manufacturer has updated information on the registered owner. This will help with any future recalls.
The first step to reaching out to your local dealership is to find out if your vehicle has any outstanding recalls. Automakers have different operations on how to confirm vehicle recall history. In most cases, your local dealership should be able to search your VIN in their system and tell you about any recalls the vehicle may have. Various online tools can also search to see any outstanding recalls. But beware, as information online may not be accurate, so the best course of action would be to contact the manufacturer directly or to visit a franchise dealership.
Once you have figured out if there are any outstanding recalls, you can set up an appointment with the vehicle manufacturer dealership. Recalls are free of cost repairs, so don’t worry about having to spend even more money to keep your car in tip-top condition.
Suppose you believe your vehicle may have a safety issue related to a manufacturer’s defect. In that case, you can report the problem to Transport Canada.
For any more tips and tricks, be sure to check out our other blogs. 401 Auto is committed to transparency with our clients. We believe in educating people for the best possible customer service.
We Make Auto Financing Easy