Recall notices
Vehicle recall notices in the US, UK and Canada
Short answer
- US report to NHTSA
- Within 5 working days 1
- US owner notification
- No later than 60 days after the report 3
- US quarterly reports
- Six consecutive quarters 2
- UK notice to DVSA
- As soon as a safety defect is confirmed 5
- UK reply to DVSA on user reports
- Normally within 28 days 5
- Canada
- Notice of defect under section 10 6
United States: Parts 573 and 577
Under 49 CFR 573.6, each manufacturer must report each safety-related defect and each noncompliance with a motor vehicle safety standard to NHTSA 1. The report is due not more than 5 working days after the defect is found to be safety related or the noncompliance is found to exist 1. Missing details follow within 5 working days of being confirmed 1. Follow-up filings refer to the recall campaign number NHTSA assigns 1.
Under 49 CFR 577.7, owner notices must be sent no later than 60 days from the date of the Part 573 report 3. If the remedy is not ready, a second notice follows once it is 3. Vehicle makers send notices by first class mail to registered owners whose names and addresses can be found through state records or other sources 3.
| US step | Deadline | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Defect or noncompliance report to NHTSA | Not more than 5 working days 1 | 49 CFR 573.6(b) 1 |
| Notice to owners | No later than 60 days after the report 3 | 49 CFR 577.7(a) 3 |
| Notice to dealers, urgent cases | Within 3 business days of the report, or 5 if not sent electronically 3 | 49 CFR 577.7(c) 3 |
| Notice after an NHTSA order | Within 60 days of the order, or another period set in the order 3 | 49 CFR 577.7(b) 3 |
| Quarterly progress reports | Six consecutive quarters 2 | 49 CFR 573.7 2 |
How to look up a US recall
NHTSA runs a recall search for vehicles, car seats, tires and equipment 4. A vehicle can be checked by its 17-character vehicle identification number, found on the lower left of the windshield 4. The VIN search does not show safety recalls more than 15 years old, except where a manufacturer offers more coverage 4. Searches for car seats, tires and equipment give general results for recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications 4. Quarterly reports under 49 CFR 573.7 track each campaign from the quarter in which owners are told a remedy is available 2.
United Kingdom: the DVSA code
The DVSA code of practice on vehicle safety defects and recalls was published on 17 July 2013 and last updated on 6 March 2024 5. It covers motor vehicles, trailers and their components 5. The code says it is not a reframing of the law and that the legal basis is mainly the General Product Safety Regulations 5.
Producers must notify DVSA as soon as a safety defect has been confirmed, without waiting for a fix 5. Where DVSA passes on a defect reported by a user, the producer should reply in full, normally within 28 days 5. Producers can ask DVLA for the names and addresses of registered keepers 5. DVSA must be able to comment on the owner letter before a recall starts 5.
- Safety recall: the defect is a safety defect and DVSA monitors the campaign 5.
- Non-safety recall: shares the features of a safety recall without the reporting and monitoring duties, apart from emissions recalls 5.
- Service campaign: managed by the producer through dealers with no DVSA involvement 5.
- Owner letters: three notifications per motorist are seen as reasonable where response rates follow the agreed plan 5.
Canada: notice of defect
Section 10(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act requires a company that applies the national safety mark, sells vehicles or equipment bearing it, or imports a prescribed class of vehicles or equipment to give notice of any defect that affects or is likely to affect the safety of any person 6. The notice is given as provided in the regulations 6.
Under section 10.5, the Minister may order a company to correct a defect or non-compliance once a notice has been given 6. Section 10.6 lets the Minister order a company to pay the costs of correcting it 6. Section 10.5 was added in 2018 6.
Three systems side by side
| Point | United States | United Kingdom | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | NHTSA 1 | DVSA 5 | The Minister under the Act 6 |
| Trigger | Safety-related defect or noncompliance 1 | Confirmed safety defect 5 | Defect affecting or likely to affect safety 6 |
| Report deadline | 5 working days 1 | As soon as confirmed 5 | As set in the regulations 6 |
| Owner letters | Within 60 days, first class mail 3 | Agreed with DVSA, keeper data from DVLA 5 | As set in the regulations 6 |
| Power to order a fix | NHTSA order on notice timing 3 | DVSA agrees or refines the plan 5 | Ministerial order, section 10.5 6 |
Common questions
How long does a carmaker have to tell NHTSA about a safety defect?
Not more than 5 working days after deciding the defect is safety related 1.
When do US owners get a recall letter?
No later than 60 days after the manufacturer files its defect report 3.
Who handles vehicle recalls in the UK?
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, under its code of practice 5.
How many recall letters should a UK motorist receive?
The DVSA code treats three notifications per motorist as reasonable where response rates follow the plan 5.
Can Canada order a vehicle recall fix?
Yes. Section 10.5 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act lets the Minister order a correction after a notice of defect 6.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@noticeofrecord.com.
Sources
- Legal Information Institute: 49 CFR 573.6, Defect and noncompliance information report
- Legal Information Institute: 49 CFR 573.7, Quarterly reports
- Legal Information Institute: 49 CFR 577.7, Time and manner of notification
- NHTSA: Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment
- DVSA: Vehicle safety defects and recalls: code of practice (last updated 6 March 2024)
- Justice Laws Website: Motor Vehicle Safety Act
Related
- Product recall notices compared
How recall notices work at the US CPSC, FDA and NHTSA, UK OPSS, EU Safety Gate, Australia's ACCC and Health Canada, and where each list is published.
- Product safety recall notices in the European Union
What the EU General Product Safety Regulation requires in a recall notice, how the Safety Business Gateway works and what Safety Gate recorded in 2025.
- Product safety reporting duties compared
When businesses must tell a regulator about a dangerous consumer product or an injury: CPSC, EU GPSR, UK GPSR 2005, Canada CCPSA and the ACCC.
- How to check whether a notice was given
Where to look up official notices: state breach lists, the HHS breach portal, SEC EDGAR, FDA warning letters, FCA notices, WARN reports and recall lists.