If you’re the owner of a car, be it brand new or just a couple of years old, the last thing you want to hear is that your ride is being recalled because of a manufacturer’s defect. However, if you follow a few basic tips, you should be back on the road in no time. Here’s what to expect if your car is recalled.
Report problems
Although having your car recalled is a nuisance, driving a vehicle with any sort of defect can be dangerous. If you suspect that your vehicle has a manufacturer’s defect, report it directly to Transport Canada by calling (800)-333-0510, or filling out an online Defect Complaint Form. In your report, you’ll be asked to include the make, model and year of your vehicle, its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which can be found on the driver’s side of the dashboard, and a summary of the suspected defect. Transport Canada will log your complaint, and if they feel it’s justified, investigate further. Nigel Mortimer, head of recalls at Transport Canada’s Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, also suggests you contact your car manufacturer to report any problems.
Common car defects include loose windshield wipers, faulty steering components and malfunctioning child restraints.
Stay in the loop
If a manufacturer is aware of a defect in any of its cars, the company is lawfully obligated to notify all registered owners, says Mortimer. Carmakers commonly use their sales and provincial records to establish contact with owners by mail, so it’s important to keep your home province and car dealership up to date with any changes to your address, he adds. Should you move, it’s also a good idea to update your contact information with your car’s manufacturer.
If you suspect that you’ve missed a mailed notice, check Transport Canada’s online vehicles recall database to find out if your car has ever been recalled because of a defect.
When shopping for a used car, says Mortimer, it’s also a good idea to contact the manufacturer of your vehicle of choice to check for any outstanding recalls—a dealership might not be aware of this information.
Follow directions
If your car’s manufacturer does contact you about a recall, it’s in your best interest to follow their instructions. “Under Canadian law, a manufacturer is only required to notify [owners], not to repair [the vehicles],” says Mortimer. But don’t let that fact scare you away from complying with recalls. “This hardly ever happens as it is not good customer relations,” explains Mortimer. “Usually the manufacturer pays for the dealer to perform the repair.”
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