Transport Canada VIN Recall Check

Does your vehicle
have an open recall?

Enter your 17-digit VIN for an instant, free lookup against the Transport Canada recall database. Updated every 15 minutes.

17 characters — letters and numbers only, no spaces

Free, no account needed Updated every 15 minutes All makes sold in Canada

How to use VIN recall lookup

1
Find your VIN The VIN is on your dashboard (driver's side, visible through the windshield), driver's door jamb, vehicle registration, or insurance card.
2
Enter the 17-character VIN above Type or paste all 17 characters. VINs contain only letters and numbers — no O (letter), I, or Q to avoid confusion with 0 and 1.
3
Review open recalls Any open Transport Canada recalls for your vehicle will be listed with the recall number, defect description, and remedy status.
4
Contact your dealer If a recall is open, contact an authorized dealer for your make to book the free repair. Manufacturers are required by law to fix recall defects at no cost.

What Transport Canada vehicle recalls cover

Transport Canada issues safety recalls when a vehicle or equipment has a defect that could affect safety or fails to comply with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Common recall categories include:

  • Airbag inflator defects (including Takata airbag recalls)
  • Brake system failures
  • Steering and suspension defects
  • Fuel system leaks and fire risks
  • Electrical system faults
  • Child restraint and car seat defects
  • Tire and wheel separation issues

Where to find your VIN

  • Dashboard: driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside
  • Door jamb: sticker on the driver's side door frame
  • Registration: your vehicle registration document
  • Insurance card: your auto insurance policy documents
  • Engine bay: stamped on the firewall or engine block

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if my car has a recall in Canada?

Enter your 17-character VIN in the tool above. It searches the Transport Canada recall database and returns any open recalls for your specific vehicle in seconds. The lookup is free and requires no account.

Is the VIN recall check free?

Yes. Checking for vehicle recalls by VIN through RecallTracker is completely free. You do not need to create an account. Recall repairs are also always performed at no cost to the vehicle owner at an authorized dealer.

Where is the VIN located on my vehicle?

The most common location is the dashboard on the driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside the car. You can also find it on the driver's door jamb on a sticker or metal plate, on your vehicle registration, or on your insurance documents.

What does a Transport Canada vehicle recall cover?

Transport Canada recalls cover safety-related defects in motor vehicles and their equipment, including issues with brakes, airbags, steering, tires, fuel systems, and child car seats. Manufacturers are required by law to notify owners and fix the defect at no charge.

How often is the recall database updated?

RecallTracker pulls vehicle recall data from Transport Canada every 15 minutes, so the results reflect the current state of the recall database.

What if my VIN shows no recalls?

No results means there are no open Transport Canada recalls currently recorded for that VIN. It is good practice to check periodically, as new recalls can be issued at any time as manufacturers discover safety defects.

Want to track all Canadian recalls including food, health products, and consumer goods? RecallTracker covers 41,000+ recalls from Health Canada, CFIA, and Transport Canada in one place.

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