You've received a letter from the manufacturer asking you to bring your car in for a "recall". Or maybe you heard about faulty airbags on the radio and now you're wondering if your car is one of them. Or you're about to buy a used car and the Car-Pass shows an "open recall". Is it serious? Will you have to pay? What should you do next?
Rest assured, you're not alone: in 2025, 13.2% of all Car-Passes issued listed at least one outstanding recall. Here's everything you need to know to handle it with confidence.
What is a car recall?
A car recall is a repair arranged by the manufacturer after it discovers a defect affecting a batch of vehicles. You might also see it referred to as a "recall action".
Why do defects happen? Cars and vans are built to strict standards, but modern vehicles are complex. Some design or manufacturing faults only show up once the vehicles are in use, with thousands of them on the road in very different conditions. These faults can put your safety or the environment at risk.
What happens next? The manufacturer gets in touch and asks you to have your vehicle checked by an authorised repairer for the brand, who will make the necessary changes. Some fixes, involving software or electronics, can even be carried out remotely, with no need to visit a garage.
Should you be worried? A recall notice means a defect has been found on your model and the manufacturer is fixing it. Your best bet? Book an appointment straight away to get the work done.
Recall campaign vs open recall: what's the difference?
- A recall campaign is the overall operation: the manufacturer identifies a defect and recalls every vehicle that could be affected. It may only cover certain batches of a model, depending on when they were built, how they're equipped or which suppliers were used.
- An open recall relates to your specific vehicle. If the owner doesn't act on the manufacturer's request, the recall stays "open" until the work has been done.
Who decides when a car is recalled?
There's more than one party behind the letter you receive:
- The manufacturer runs the campaign and pays for the corrective work. In Belgium, owners are usually contacted by the importers.
- The authorities in the country where the vehicle was type-approved assess the risks and can order a recall. The other EU Member States are then notified.
- The European Commission publishes serious risks on its Safety Gate alert portal.
- The Belgian FPS Mobility and Transport handles the admin side: it uses vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to trace the Belgian owners of the vehicles concerned, so the manufacturer can reach you.
The same model as yours has been recalled, but you haven't heard anything? That can happen: depending on when it was built, how it's equipped or who supplied certain parts, your vehicle may not be included. The safest option is to check using your VIN.
How to check if your car is subject to a recall
There's no need to wait for a letter. Here are four ways to check for recalls on your car.
1. A letter from the manufacturer
If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer or importer will get in touch, usually by post. Bought your car second-hand or moved house? The letter may have gone to the previous owner or to your old address.
2. The Car-Pass recall checker
This is the easiest way to find out where you stand. Car-Pass is linked to (almost) every brand: just enter your car or van's VIN and within seconds you'll know whether there's a recall still to be carried out.
You'll find the VIN (sometimes called the chassis number) on your registration certificate: it's 17 characters long, made up of letters and numbers. The checker covers cars and vans registered in Belgium.
3. The manufacturer's website
Many manufacturers also have their own online tool where you can enter your vehicle's VIN.
4. The vehicle's Car-Pass
Buying a used car? Any open recalls are shown right on the Car-Pass the seller hands you.
Your car has been recalled: what now?
Don't panic, but don't leave it either. Whatever the situation, it's best to have the required work done as soon as possible by an authorised repairer for the brand.
- Book an appointment promptly: the defect could put you, your passengers or the environment at risk.
- Follow any instruction to stop driving: for the most serious defects, the manufacturer may ask you not to use the vehicle until it has been repaired. This is known as a "stop-drive" notice.
- You won't have to pay anything: under EU rules, owners don't bear the cost of repairs resulting from a manufacturer's corrective action.
Once the work is done, it's reported to Car-Pass like any other garage job and shows up in your vehicle's maintenance history. A real advantage when it comes time to sell.
Airbag recalls: the Takata case
Of all recalls, airbag recalls are the ones to take most seriously. Takata airbags are the best-known example: in some vehicles, they can explode under exceptional conditions and seriously injure the people inside. In recent years, several manufacturers have launched recall campaigns across Europe, some of them in Belgium, occasionally with an instruction to stop driving the vehicle altogether.
Not sure about your car's airbags? Don't wait for a letter: check right now with your VIN, using the Car-Pass recall checker or the manufacturer's website. If your vehicle is affected, book in with an authorised repairer for the brand as soon as possible to get them replaced.
Buying or selling a used car?
Manufacturers contact whoever was the registered owner at the time of the campaign. So if you're buying a used car, there could be an open recall you know nothing about. That's where the Car-Pass has your back.
Buying a car?
Check the recalls section on the Car-Pass the seller gives you. Any open recalls are listed there with the manufacturer's specific code and a brief description of the problem. Where available, a link takes you to the manufacturer's website for more details. An open recall doesn't mean you can't buy the vehicle: ask the seller to get the work done before the sale, or book it in as soon as the car is yours.
Selling your car?
Get any outstanding recalls sorted before you put your car up for sale: a Car-Pass with no open recalls puts buyers' minds at ease and saves you hassle when it comes to negotiating. To prepare for a smooth sale, follow our checklist for selling your car.
Has the seller given you a Car-Pass? Scan its QR code to check it's genuine and view the digital version in just 2 minutes. |
The information shown comes from the vehicle manufacturer. Car-Pass cannot be held responsible for its accuracy or completeness.
Car recalls: frequently asked questions
Are car recalls free?
Yes, in principle. Under EU rules, owners don't bear the cost of repairs resulting from a manufacturer's corrective action. The work is carried out by an authorised repairer for the brand.
How can I find out if my car has been recalled?
Enter your vehicle's VIN (17 characters, found on your registration certificate) in the Car-Pass recall checker or on the manufacturer's website. If you're buying a used car, also check the recalls section on its Car-Pass.
Do I have to respond to a car recall?
You're not obliged to respond to the manufacturer's request. However, the recall will then stay open and will show up on the Car-Pass when you sell your vehicle. It's still strongly recommended to have the work done as soon as possible, since a recall addresses a defect that could put your safety or the environment at risk.
Can a recall be carried out remotely?
Yes, in some cases. Certain software or electronics updates can be installed "over the air". Most of the time, though, the work is done by an authorised repairer for the brand.
Why hasn't my car been recalled when the same model has been recalled abroad?
A recall campaign doesn't always cover every vehicle of a particular model. It may only apply to cars built on certain dates, fitted with a specific option or using a part from a particular supplier. So two cars of the same model, whether in Belgium or abroad, won't necessarily both be affected. If you're unsure, check with your VIN.