A safety recall and a service campaign are not the same things. How are they different?
The main difference is that in the case of a recall, a letter is sent to the owner asking him to bring his car to the workshop. However, only those who go to the authorised workshop alone and unsolicited for a regular service will know about the ongoing service campaign (sometimes called a product update or TSB – Technical Service Bulletin). After entering the vehicle’s VIN code into the system, the technician is alerted to the action to be taken.
While a car manufacturer is legally obliged to issue a recall if there is a risk to health, safety or the environment, no one is forcing them to launch a service campaign. They usually try to prevent further damage and complaints by voluntarily replacing problematic parts. Recalls can be found, for example, in the European RAPEX information system or on our website. Service campaigns (or TSBs) are not published anywhere and are only carried out in authorised workshops for those who come with their car and complain. An independent workshop usually has no chance of finding out about these campaigns.
We therefore recommend that you contact an authorised service centre at least twice a year and ask about any ongoing recalls or service campaigns. You will need the vehicle’s VIN code, a 17-digit unique number found on the vehicle’s registration card and on some areas of the bodywork (such as the frame of the windscreen). You can use our contact page to find your nearest dealer – Verify VIN for recalls.
It doesn’t matter whether you have your car serviced at an authorised or independent workshop. Don’t be afraid to ask. Information about ongoing service campaigns must be provided regardless of who has serviced your car up to now.
If you wish to know more about eventual problems of a specific car (e.g. real mileage, potential traffic accidents damages, odometer rollback, repairs, etc.), then we suggest going to this page.
Where now?
Currently 5101 Recalls