
If you own a car in Australia, it's important to stay up to date with any recall notices to ensure your safety and that of other road users. Vehicle recalls are more common than you might think, and they can happen at any time, even years after a vehicle was manufactured. There are a few simple ways to check if your car has been recalled. Firstly, you can visit the government website vehiclerecalls.gov.au, which publishes details of all current car recalls in Australia, as well as recalls for trucks, buses, caravans, trailers, motorcycles, and motorhomes. Additionally, you can use your car's unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), found on the lower left of your windshield or on your registration card, to search for any recall notices specific to your vehicle. If your car has been recalled, you will usually be notified by the manufacturer via mail, email, or SMS, and you should take your car to the manufacturer to have the issue fixed free of charge. It's also a good idea to check for recalls when buying a used car and to register your vehicle to receive future recall alerts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to check if your car has a recall in Australia | Visit vehiclerecalls.gov.au to check if your car is part of a recall. |
| How to check if your car has a recall airbag in Australia | Visit IsMyAirbagSafe to check if your car is fitted with a potentially defective Takata airbag. |
| How to check if your used car has a recall in Australia | Request a vehicle history report from services like PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) in Australia for a small fee. |
| How to check if your car has any current service campaigns | Search on the manufacturer's website. |
| How to check if your car has a recall in Australia as a general practice | Check once a year or whenever major recall news is announced. |
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What You'll Learn

Check the Vehicle Recalls website
If you want to check whether your car has been recalled in Australia, you can visit the Vehicle Recalls website. This is a government website that publishes the details of all current car recalls in Australia. The website also displays recalls for trucks, buses, caravans, trailers, motorcycles, and motorhomes.
To search for your vehicle on the Vehicle Recalls website, you will need to enter your vehicle's details. You can use your car's registration number to check if it has been recalled. Alternatively, you can use your vehicle's unique 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which can be found on the lower left of your car's windshield or on your car's registration card. You can also check for recalls without knowing the registration number, but you will need to know the manufacturer, model, and year of manufacture.
If your car is part of a recall, your car manufacturer will notify you directly, usually by post or email, and they may also send an SMS. You should then take your car to the manufacturer to have the recall issue fixed free of charge. It is important to take action if you receive a recall notice about your vehicle, as this can help you or someone you know to avoid injury or even death.
You can also sign up to receive future alerts on recalls from the Vehicle Recalls website, or connect with them on social media to stay informed about major recalls.
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Search by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Every vehicle has a unique Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, which can be used to check if a specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall. The VIN is typically 17 characters long and can be found on the lower left of your car's windshield, on its registration card, and possibly on your insurance card.
If you're buying a second-hand car, you can request a vehicle history report, which will include any recalls specific to that make and model. Services like the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) in Australia offer these reports for a small fee.
In Australia, you can check for vehicle recalls by visiting the Vehicle Recalls website. This government website publishes details of all current car recalls in Australia, as well as recalls for trucks, buses, caravans, trailers, motorcycles, and motorhomes. Simply enter your vehicle's details, including its VIN, to see if it is currently affected by any active recalls.
If your car is part of a recall, you will usually be notified directly by the manufacturer via post, email, or SMS. They will also provide guidance on any necessary interim safety measures and next steps. In most cases, you will be asked to take your car to the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to have the issue fixed free of charge. It is important to take action as soon as you receive a recall notice to ensure your safety and that of other road users.
You can also sign up for general recall alerts via email or follow social media accounts for major recalls to stay informed about the latest recalls. Additionally, you can check the IsMyAirbagSafe website to determine if your vehicle is fitted with a potentially defective Takata airbag, which is the subject of the world's largest automotive recall.
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Check the manufacturer's website
One of the most direct ways to check if your car has any recalls in Australia is to visit the manufacturer's website. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Identify Your Car's Make and Model: Start by identifying the make and model of your car. This information can be found on your vehicle registration certificate or by looking at the car itself. The make (manufacturer) is typically prominently displayed on the back of the car
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Request a vehicle history report
If you want to check if your car has been recalled in Australia, you can request a vehicle history report. This will provide a comprehensive overview of the vehicle's history and alert you to any significant information, such as whether it has been recalled.
The CarHistory Report is a commonly used report in Australia, which covers vehicles registered in any state or territory. The report can be purchased for $27 for NRMA members and $37 for non-members. It provides a PPSR Certificate, which indicates if there is existing finance on the vehicle, as well as information on whether the vehicle has been written off due to damage, if the odometer reading is consistent with previous reports, and if the vehicle has been reported as stolen. It is important to note that the VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is required for the report, and CarHistory can only report on vehicles with a 17-character VIN, limiting information on vehicles manufactured before 1989.
There are other providers of vehicle history reports in Australia, such as Service NSW, which offers a free registration check for vehicles registered in NSW. However, it is important to note that this report is not valid for legal proceedings or as evidence in court.
Additionally, you can check for vehicle recalls on the Vehicle Recalls website, where you can enter your vehicle's details to see if it is affected by any active recalls. If your car is part of a recall, you will also likely be notified directly by the manufacturer, usually via post, email, or SMS.
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Look out for direct communication from the manufacturer
If your car is part of a recall, you will usually be notified directly by the manufacturer, typically via post or email. They may also contact you through an SMS if they have your phone number. In the notification, the manufacturer will provide interim safety guidance and instruct you to contact your local dealership to fix the recalled part free of charge.
If you have recently purchased a used car, you can request a vehicle history report, which will include information about any recalls specific to that make and model. Services like PPSR (Personal Property Securities Register) in Australia offer these reports for a small fee. You can also check the manufacturer's website to see if your vehicle has any current service campaigns.
It is important to take action if you receive a recall notice for your vehicle. Taking swift action can help you or someone you know to avoid injury or even death. You should also keep proof of any recall-related repairs to demonstrate your car's compliance with Australian safety standards.
In Australia, the Takata airbag recall is the most notable vehicle recall in the country's history. To check if your vehicle is fitted with a potentially defective Takata airbag, you can visit the IsMyAirbagSafe website.
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Frequently asked questions
You can check if your car has been recalled by visiting the Vehicle Recalls website and entering your vehicle's details. You can also check by using your car's unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or registration number.
A VIN is a 17-character code unique to your vehicle. You can find it on the lower left of your car's windshield, on your car's registration card, and possibly on your insurance card.
If your car has been recalled, you should take it to the manufacturer to get the issue fixed free of charge. You will usually be notified by the manufacturer via post, email, or SMS.
It is recommended that you check for recalls at least once a year or whenever major recall news is announced. Recalls can be issued years after the vehicle was manufactured, so it is important to stay up-to-date.











































