An unresolved recall can mean a faulty airbag, failing brakes or a fire risk. Here's how to check if the car you're buying has an outstanding safety recall — before you sign anything.
Check Recalls + Full History for $34Vehicle recalls are far more common than most buyers realise. And unlike most car problems, an unresolved recall is a known, documented safety defect — one the manufacturer is legally obligated to fix for free.
Not all recalls are equal. Some are minor (a software update), others are life-threatening. Here are the categories you need to know:
The most serious category. Faulty airbags can fail to deploy in a crash, deploy unexpectedly, or — as with the Takata crisis — rupture and fire metal shrapnel at occupants. These are life-threatening defects that must be fixed before driving.
Brake failures at speed are obviously critical. Recalls covering ABS modules, brake boosters, master cylinders or brake fluid contamination all represent serious safety risks and should be fixed immediately.
Engine bay fires, fuel leaks and electrical short circuits are a significant recall category. Often relates to fuel injector O-rings, wiring loom defects, or EV battery management issues. Risk varies but fire risk is always taken seriously.
Loss of power steering or steering column failures can cause loss of vehicle control at any speed. These are uncommon but high-severity when they occur.
Lower physical risk but can affect safety features, fuel consumption or compliance. Software recalls can often be resolved remotely or in a short dealer visit. Emissions recalls are administrative but can affect ongoing compliance.
Go to productsafety.gov.au/recalls and search under the Vehicles category. Search by make and model to see all recalls issued for that vehicle. This is a model-level search — it shows all recalls for, say, "2016 Toyota Corolla" rather than checking your specific VIN.
Call or email the manufacturer's Australian customer service with your VIN. They can tell you definitively whether your specific vehicle has any outstanding recalls. This is the most accurate method as it matches your exact VIN against their records.
Includes a recall check as part of the comprehensive report, alongside PPSR (finance/stolen/write-off), market value, comparable sold prices and odometer benchmarking. The most complete option before purchasing a used car.
Any make can have a recall, but these brands and periods have had a higher-than-average number of recall campaigns in the Australian market. Always check regardless of brand — this is a guide, not a definitive list.
Don't panic — a recall doesn't automatically mean walk away. Here's how to handle it correctly:
Go to productsafety.gov.au/recalls and search by make, model and year. For a VIN-specific check, contact the manufacturer directly. A full car history report ($34) also includes a recall check alongside PPSR and market data.
No. The PPSR only shows financial security interests, written-off status and stolen reports. Recall data is completely separate and managed by the ACCC and manufacturers. You need to check recalls through a different source — or use a full car history report that includes both.
The manufacturer pays, regardless of how many times the car has changed hands. Recall repairs are legally required to be carried out free of charge at any authorised dealer for that brand. There is no time limit on your right to have the recall repaired.
While the main wave of Takata replacements has been completed, some vehicles may still have outstanding recalls. Always check the ACCC database and manufacturer records for any car built between 2001 and 2018, particularly Japanese makes. The repair is free and typically takes a few hours at a dealer.
Legally yes, but we'd recommend getting the recall resolved first — or at minimum confirmed as booked in for repair. For safety-critical recalls (airbag, brakes, steering), you should not drive the car until the fix is done. For minor recalls, it's reasonable to complete the purchase and book the repair immediately.
Recall status + PPSR (finance/stolen/write-off) + market value + comparable sold prices. One report covers everything.
$34