Safety recalls: three checks to make

A safety recall is neither a maintenance notice nor a judgment on a model's reliability. It is the manufacturer's acknowledgment that a component has a defect that could compromise safety. Transport Canada stresses the importance of having a recalled vehicle repaired.

On a used vehicle, the question becomes: was the repair done by the previous owners? The absence of any mention in a document does not answer that question.

The vehicle identification number has 17 characters on modern vehicles, a standard that has generally applied since the early 1980s. It is usually found at the bottom of the windshield, driver's side, on the driver's door jamb label, and on the registration certificate. The exact location can vary by vehicle: the owner's manual shows it.

Photograph the number rather than copying it by hand: one misread character and the search returns nothing, or returns another vehicle's result. If the numbers found in different places do not match, put the transaction on hold and have the vehicle's identity verified before going any further.

Transport Canada offers several ways to check. The cautious approach below combines these checks in sequence, from the most general to the most specific; it is our way of organizing them, not an official three-step procedure.

First check. Search for recalls by make, model and year in the Transport Canada database. You get the list of recalls issued for that combination — not yet the status of your specific vehicle.

Second check. Then move on to the vehicle's VIN. Transport Canada maintains a directory of manufacturers and their VIN recall lookup tools. Use the manufacturer's Canadian tool when available: it lets you go from the vehicle family to the specific vehicle.

Third check. Contact the manufacturer or an authorized dealership to confirm whether the vehicle is affected and whether the repair has been done. Ask for that confirmation in writing.

Keep a dated record of the search: a screenshot or the manufacturer's result with the VIN, then, if a recall was completed, the repair order, $0 invoice or written confirmation showing the campaign number and the date of the work. The goal is not to pile up paper: it is to prevent a simple verbal "it's done" from becoming impossible to verify after the transaction.

Finding a recall does not have to be a deal-breaker. What matters is knowing which one, whether it has been completed on this vehicle, and if not, when the repair is scheduled.

Two situations deserve a discussion before making an offer: an open recall affecting a major safety system — steering, braking, airbags, fuel system — and a recall for which the replacement part is not immediately available. In both cases, the question is the same: when, and is it in writing?

Transport Canada indicates that manufacturers almost always carry out recall-related repairs at no cost to the owner. "Almost always" is not "always": exceptions exist, and they depend on the recall, the manufacturer and sometimes the vehicle's age.

So have the coverage confirmed before the work rather than assuming it. The repair is done at a dealership of the brand, which means having one within reach — a factor to consider for a brand with little presence in your region.

Transport Canada recommends registering a used vehicle with the manufacturer after purchase. Without that registration, recall notices may keep going to the previous owner, and you might never receive the information. The step is free and applies to all future recalls.

It says nothing about actual maintenance, accident history or the condition of the body. A vehicle with no open recall may have been poorly maintained; a vehicle whose recalls have been corrected may be in excellent condition. It is one check among others.

Round it out with our guide on how to read a history report, our pre-purchase inspection checklist, our article on severely damaged vehicles and our general guide to the five things to check.