According to Transport Canada, one in five vehicles on our roads is unsafe
According to a study conducted by Transport Canada, one in five of the 33.3 million vehicles registered in Canada in 2019 would be deemed “unsafe”. This is what we could read in a recent article on the subject in Automotive News Canada. Indeed, the ministry, which ensures the safety of motorists in the country, considers that far too many vehicles are currently circulating on our roads with safety recalls that have not been carried out.
Not enough transparency
According to Ian Jack, vice-president of public affairs at CAA, only a minority of motorists are made aware of the recalls that must be done on their vehicle, because this information is sometimes difficult to obtain, especially if it concerns of a used model.
“Unfortunately, if you want to know if there is a major recall on your vehicle, you have to pay close attention to it yourself, especially if it is a used vehicle. Too often, the recall notice is sent to the first owner,” explained Mr. Jack in an interview with Automotive News
According to Transport Canada, just over 6.6 million vehicles currently on our roads could be potentially dangerous due to a recall notice sent to the wrong person. These vehicles pose a risk to the safety of motorists, but also that of cyclists and pedestrians.
Remember that the safety recalls published by Transport Canada are intended to alert the consumer to a design defect that could lead to a serious incident that has the potential to cause bodily injury or even death. When Transport Canada issues a recall, the builder must promptly notify the owner by letter. This letter will recommend that he bring his vehicle to the dealership for the recall to be properly carried out.
But according to Transport Canada, manufacturers are not doing enough to alert consumers. The ministry would like to pass new regulations that would force automakers to be more transparent and raise awareness among motorists.
Conclusion
Transport Canada safety recalls are to be taken very seriously. That’s why we report them in our news feeds when we think they’re important. We also advise consumers in this regard in our section dedicated to used vehicles.
When you receive a letter from the manufacturer telling you that a recall is due, make an appointment at your dealership immediately. It’s free, and it could save you a lot of trouble down the road.
If you do not know the recall history of your vehicle, we invite you to consult the Transport Canada database, where all recalls for your vehicle are listed. To find out if a recall has been issued, simply contact your dealership’s service department. With the vehicle’s serial number, they will be able to tell you if any recalls have been made. Even if it is a used vehicle, recalls are always free.
