Vehicle recall: meaning and examples
A vehicle recall is a notice from a manufacturer or safety regulator that a model has a safety-related defect or fails a safety standard, with a free fix offered through authorised dealers. Owners are usually told by post, and can check by VIN.
How it works
A recall is issued when a manufacturer or a safety regulator finds that a model has a safety-related defect or does not meet a safety standard. The maker then offers a fix, usually free of charge, through authorised dealers.
Owners are normally contacted by post, but notices can be missed, especially on a used vehicle. Most countries let you check by VIN on an official site.
Recall work is part of the vehicle's history. A buyer will want to know it was done.
Closing the loop
Illustration: a recall check on a used truck shows an open recall. The dealer carries out the fix, and you add a log entry with the date and the dealer's paperwork attached.
How to track it in Loggy
Keep the VIN in the vehicle's record so you can check for recalls. When the recall work is done, add a log entry with the date and the paperwork.
- Keep the vehicle's VIN in its record.
- Check for open recalls on your country's official recall lookup.
- When the work is done, add a log entry with the date and paperwork.
Loggy is a free maintenance logbook app for iOS and Android. The free plan has unlimited vehicles, reminders, PDF export and vehicle transfer, and no ads.
Frequently asked questions
Do recalls cost money?
Usually not. The maker normally pays for the fix. Check the recall notice for your case.
How do I check for a recall?
Use the official recall lookup for your country and enter the VIN.
Does Loggy tell me about recalls?
No. You check the official source, then log the work in Loggy.