Vehicle Recalls in Canada

There was once a time (as we all know) when vehicles were nothing more than an idealistic dream that the public thought would never be a reality. However, thanks to people like Henry Ford, Walter Chrysler, William Durant, and many other car makers, the world now not only knows what owning a vehicle can do to make life easier, it wouldn’t be able to go without it.

In Metro Vancouver, there are so many different forms of transportation to help make getting around our thriving metropolis much easier. You could take the Seabus from Vancouver over to North Vancouver and spend the day shopping.

Or hop on the Skytrain and get from New Westminster to Vancouver in less than 20 minutes. You could even take a cat nap on a bus while on your way to work in Burnaby, when you live in Cloverdale. Despite all of the amazing different modes of transportation in the Lower Mainland, vehicles are still the one that everyone prefers (although some say they don’t).

Having your own vehicle means independence in nearly every aspect of your leisure time. Although this is a blessing, in some instances, it can also be a curse. As with owning a vehicle, means being responsible for maintenance costs, repairs, and being aware of things like vehicle recalls in British Columbia.

However, when you aren’t a car expert, how do you know if your vehicle is likely to incur problems? Or worse, how do you know what to do if it does?

Getting the jump on any possible issues can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in repair bills.

A vehicle recall is a notice to advise vehicle owners of potential or known issues with their car, truck, SUV, van, or motorcycle. It is either set forth by the car manufacturer itself or implemented by the N.H.T.S.A. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) because of frequent consumer reports, or serious safety risks after an accident.

A vehicle recall can be voluntary or mandatory, though most car manufacturers choose to implement a recall voluntarily, as it looks poor on them to be forced to do so. Also, a recall can cover specific parts, components, or even the entire vehicle. When a recall is issued, any necessary repairs are entirely free to the consumer.

How Do I Know If My Vehicle Has a Recall?

Typically, when a recall is issued, the car company will send out either an email, text message, or written letter to the most recent contact information that they have on file. However, they usually aren’t eager to attempt contact more than once, so be sure that whatever information your dealership or car manufacturer has on file is the most current.

Additionally, if you think your vehicle may be part of a current or previous recall, you can check to see if your car has any recall notices that have not been addressed yet at the car company’s website.

If you own a Kia for example, you’d go to the Kia Canada website and find the section titled “Recalls”, then enter the VIN number of your vehicle. Once you created a profile for your vehicle, you can usually do a customized search for recalls pertaining specifically to your own vehicle or VIN.

Some vehicle makers become aware of issues on one or several vehicles in their line-up but fail to issue a manufacturers recall notice to their customers. When this happens, they are usually instructed to do so by the N.H.T.S.A. This is to help ensure that not only is the owner of the vehicle and their passengers kept safe, but so that other road users’ safety is also ensured.

As a professional used car buyer with over 30 years of experience buying cars in Metro Vancouver, we have seen it all. A lot of times, the owner of a vehicle isn’t even aware that a recall has been issued on their car because they never received the notice.

If you are experiencing new or unusual issues with your vehicle, check to see if it has a recall on it first. But don’t worry, because even if your vehicle needs repairs that aren’t covered under a recall, you can still sell it to Cash For Cars BC. From scrap cars to supercars, we buy them all!

Where Can I Check If My Car Has a Recall on It?

Aside from checking the website of the car company that your vehicle is from, you can also check on the Transport Canada website under their Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database HERE.

There are many tools available online for free to check for vehicle recalls by VIN number. However, Transport Canada’s database is far superior as it is a reliable source, unlike some of the sites online that just want to get information from you.

If any site is asking you for credit card information before telling you whether or not your vehicle has a recall on it, promptly leave the site and head straight to a more reliable source (like the one that can be found here, on Cash For Cars BC’s site!).

Where Can I Find My VIN Number on a Car?

There are several places to find the VIN number of any vehicle, but the most common place that people look to read their VIN is at the bottom driver’s side portion of the windshield. This is known as the VIN plate, and it is a small black plate that has your VIN number written on it in white letters and numbers.

Other Places to Find Your VIN:

• On the driver’s side door post near the top of your seatbelt (where the seatbelt retracts into)
• On the “A” pillar that is visible through the windshield
• On the inside of the driver’s doorjamb (usually up around where your side mirror is when your door is shut)
• Your vehicle registration papers
• On the driver side doorframe label
• On the lower left corner of the driver’s side dashboard

If for some reason you are unable to find your VIN on your vehicle, or if you’ve found it but the number isn’t legible, you can always contact your regular mechanic or dealership. They usually have your VIN number on file.

What Happens If I Don’t Get My Car Fixed After Getting a Recall Notice?

Getting your vehicle into the shop for repairs can be tougher than you think. It means having to arrange a way to and from work, because the unwanted downtime without a vehicle takes away not only convenience, but necessity.  

Particularly when you take your car to the dealership for repairs because the dealerships always seem to take longer than your local mechanic, don’t they? Regardless of how much downtime you may need to have your recalled part or parts repaired, you’ll want to do it promptly after receiving a recall notice. 

Failing to have your vehicle repaired after it has been recalled (or a part has been recalled) not only puts yourself and passengers at risk, it puts other road users at risk as well. You might think that the problem isn’t that big, so it doesn’t matter when you get it fixed.  

However, if you fail to do the repairs and are involved in an accident because of the unrepaired component, you are liable for any damage caused to people, other vehicles, or objects caused by the collision. 

Can I Sell My Car if It Has Been Recalled?

Yes, you can sell your car if a recall has been issued to your VIN number. However, it is a better idea to have the recalled components fixed before selling it… Unless you are selling your car to Cash For Cars BC.

We are professional used car buyers in Metro Vancouver, and we pay the MOST cash for cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorcycles, regardless of their age or condition. That means that even if your vehicle is in need of repairs, due to a recall or anything else, you can sell your car to us and get the MOST cash for it.

Plus, we handle all the paperwork, we come to you, and NOBODY Pays More!

What Types of Vehicles Do We Buy in Vancouver?

Anything and everything, and not just in Vancouver. From Hope to Squamish to parts of Vancouver Island; if you’re selling a vehicle in the Lower Mailand, you’ve got a buyer at Cash For Cars BC.

We are always looking for vehicles of every make and model, and in any condition, including:

• Passenger cars
• Sports cars
• Exotic cars
• Station wagons
• Imports
• Trucks
• SUV’s & crossovers
• Jeeps
• 4×4’s
• Vans
• Hybrids & EVs
• Motorcycles & Powersport vehicles
• RV’s, campers, and campervans

We buy vehicles from $100-$100,000+. We even purchase vehicles that are still under financing, still within a lease, or vehicles that are part of an estate sale. Simply call, text, or email our car buying team today to find out what your vehicle is worth. You might be pleasantly surprised!

How Much Can I Sell My Car for in the Lower Mainland?

We take car buying seriously, which is why we go to great lengths to ensure that we don’t waste your time, or our own. Once you call Cash For Cars BC, a member of our car buying team will get the details of your vehicle over the phone.

Provide them with the make, model, year, condition, and number of kilometres on your vehicle. Then, we will let you know if we need to see it in person before making you an offer on it. When you’re selling a scrap vehicle, we don’t need to see your car in person, as we usually provide instant cash offers on junk vehicles of any kind.

For non-scrap vehicles, once we see your car, truck, SUV, van, or motorcycle in person, we will make you an instant cash offer on it. If you accept our offer, we’ll handle the paperwork, hand you over your payment, then leave with your vehicle. It’s that simple!

Sell Your Car to Cash For Cars BC Today!

When you sell a car privately, you’re looking at waiting several weeks, if not longer, to sell your vehicle. However, when you sell your car to Cash For Cars BC, you can have your car sold the very same day that you call.

Our used car buyers work 7 days a week, from 8:00 AM-10:00 PM, and even buy cars on many statutory holidays too. This is why we are able to respond to calls so quickly and can have the entire process of selling your car completed in as little as 20 minutes.

If you want to sell your car quickly, easily, and for the MOST cash, sell your car to Cash For Cars BC. We handle all the paperwork, we come to you, and NOBODY Pays More!