Have you or someone you know received a Ford recall notice in the mail? As a consumer, while it’s your responsibility to stay up to date on recalls of your vehicle, it’s also the manufacturer’s duty to inform you when they recall a product. Oftentimes, though, people move, contact info changes, and staying informed about your vehicle’s safety may fall on you.
That’s why most vehicle manufacturers, including Ford, offer a Ford Recall Lookup. By simply inputting your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can get access to a database of Ford recalls for each model they’ve released.
But how do recalls work? Are you covered by the manufacturer? What if your vehicle is used? In this blog post, the team at PineRidge Ford has put together a comprehensive guide for everything you need to know about Ford recalls.
Under Canadian federal law, manufacturers have to inform car owners of a recall in writing within 60 days after they've identified a defect that could impact a person's safety. The safety recall notice has to inform the owner of the defect and its possible safety risks, describe how to fix the issue and list any precautions the owner can take to minimize the risk until the fix is complete.
A manufacturer must issue a Notice of Defect or Notice of Non-Compliance (recall) when they find a safety defect in a vehicle, tire or child car seat, or when a product doesn’t comply with safety standards.
Common examples of vehicle recalls can include airbag malfunctions (e.g., Takata airbags), powertrain or transmission issues, brake or fuel system failures, and electrical system faults.
Maybe you’ve read in the news that there's been a rise in vehicle recalls, or perhaps you know someone who’s recently received a Ford recall notice. Even if your vehicle seems to be running smoothly, a safety defect could still be present.
For better peace of mind, regularly checking for recalls on your model is always good practice, especially if your vehicle is used and notices may not get forwarded to you. Thankfully, Ford makes it easy. There are two options for going about Ford recall checkups. As long as you have your VIN number on hand, you can simply enter your vehicle information online using the Ford Recall Lookup. Your VIN is typically located on the lower left-hand side of the dashboard, the driver’s side door or on your vehicle registration.
Additionally, whether you’ve purchased a Ford vehicle from our Meadow Lake dealership or not, PineRidge Ford can also help you look up your model for recalls. Simply fill out our Ford recall form, and we will check to see the status of any recalls that may affect your vehicle.
If you receive a Ford recall notification letter or find that your vehicle is named in a recall, contact your local Ford dealer to schedule an appointment. A "do not drive" warning means that the car shouldn't be driven until the recall is completed and the defective parts have been replaced.
At PineRidge Ford, our certified Ford service centre will quickly repair your vehicle free of charge. If you’ve become aware of a recall after you’ve repaired the issue, you may also be entitled to reimbursement.
It’s important to note that as long as you remain listed as the current owner in Provincial or Territorial vehicle registration records, you will continue to receive these notices. If you are receiving recall letters for a vehicle you no longer own and have an address for the current owner, you should forward the recall letter to the new owner. If you have leased this vehicle to another person or organization, immediately notify the lessee of the recall. But, if you no longer own the vehicle and do not have an address for the current owner or lease, you don’t need to take any action.
While Ford vehicles are generally safe to drive, safety recalls can happen. At PineRidge Ford, we're constantly checking to see if there are any new vehicle recalls. Check back often for updates on vehicle safety recalls, and feel free to contact us. We will happily find out if there have been any recalls on your particular vehicle.