One of the first things that you learn in driving school is the importance of creating and maintaining safe driving habits. Being safe behind the wheel helps protect yourself, your passengers and others on the road.

However, not all car accidents are caused by poor driving habits; many collisions in Canada are related to mechanical issues or inconsistencies within the vehicle itself. When this happens, car manufacturers will recall vehicles.

Continue reading to learn more about the basics of vehicle recalls in Canada and how the process works.

What is a vehicle recall?

In Canada vehicle recalls take place when a manufacturer learns that one of their models has a safety issue. After learning about a vehicle safety issue, the manufacturer will notify drivers and ask them to return the vehicle to the nearest dealership. The vehicle is then repaired or replaced (depending on the severity of the safety issue).

What are common reasons for vehicle recalls by manufacturer Canada?

The following are some of the most common reasons for vehicle recalls in Canada:

• Issues with equipment within the vehicle
• Problem with seats or interior functionality relating to safety
• Complications with airbags and other safety features
• Issues with tires

Here's a simple example:

A car manufacturer realizes that the airbags in a particular model exert too much force on release. The airbags injure drivers and passengers, making them an enormous safety issue. Instead of ignoring the problem, the manufacturer will recall that particular model.

How can you check if your vehicle was recalled?

There are two primary ways that you can find out if your vehicle has been recalled in Canada: through the manufacturer or the Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

Updates from the manufacturer

After learning about a safety issue, your vehicle manufacturer will notify you about the problem. Generally, vehicle manufacturers will send you a letter, so remember to keep an eye on your mailbox.

If you recently purchased a used car, you can reach out to the manufacturer directly or contact a local dealership that sells that brand. Reaching out to the manufacturer or dealership simply lets them know that you are the new owner of one of their vehicles. Doing this allows the manufacturer to contact you if there is a recall in the future.

Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database

If you consider yourself to be tech-savvy, you may want to use the internet instead. The Canadian government keeps thorough records of vehicle recalls in the Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database, which is available to the public. The database is available to the public, making it a fantastic source of information for Canadian drivers.

How much does it cost to fix a recalled vehicle in Canada?

We think that you'll like the answer to this question.

There are several things in life that are out of our control; but, if you're not responsible for a safety issue, why should you be the one who has to deal with the burden of repairing your vehicle?

Simply put, you shouldn't have to and don't have to.

In Canada, drivers don't have to pay a cent throughout the vehicle recall process. If your vehicle is recalled, the manufacturer will cover the entire cost of the repair or replacement. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer is legally responsible for producing a safe product.

With that being said, it's clear why you should get in contact with your vehicle manufacturer if you learn that your ride has been recalled.

How does a car recall affect your car insurance?

This is quite a tricky question to answer, but, in most cases, car recalls don't influence insurance rates.

As mentioned above, vehicle manufacturers are responsible for covering recall-related costs and expenses. Because of this, a recall doesn't influence your risk level (as a driver) or put additional financial pressure on your insurance provider.

However, you may have to pay more for your car insurance in a few select situations.

For instance, if your vehicle was recalled several years ago, then you may start to see a gradual increase in your insurance rates over time. This is because you, as the owner, have neglected to deal with a well-known issue. Failing to deal with problems like this can increase your risk level, which will be reflected in your car insurance rates.

So, instead of shrugging off your vehicle recall, we highly suggest that you reach out to your manufacturer or local dealership as soon as possible.

Want to save on car insurance?

Regardless of your risk level, car insurance can be undeniably expensive, especially in Canada. If you're tired of spending your time re-shopping your car insurance policy, you can skip the hassle by reaching out to a Surex insurance advisor.

At Surex, our team's top priority is providing you with the best car insurance quotes that we can find. Thankfully, our team works side-by-side with the best car insurance providers in Canada — this makes finding high-quality quotes simple, easy and speedy.

Contact one of our insurance advisors today to receive ten quotes in ten minutes or less!

How to avoid recalls in the future

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to foresee that your car will be recalled or not— it's nearly impossible to guarantee that a vehicle is truly safe.

Thankfully, utilizing the following tips will minimize the chances of you purchasing a vehicle that will be recalled in the not-so-distant future:

• Do research beforehand
• Ask friends and family about their experiences with specific makes and models
• Look into a variety of different models, not just one or two

What have you learned about vehicle recalls Canada?

As you now know, vehicle recalls are a crucial tool that car manufacturers use to keep Canadian roads safe for motorists. If you ever learn that your new or used vehicle has been recalled, we suggest that you contact your local franchised dealership immediately. Doing this will not only prevent your insurance premiums from gradually increasing, but it will keep you and your family out of harm's way.