AustraliaA manufacturer voluntarily recalled a vehicle but I wasn't notified. Are they required to tell me?
Yes, under Australian law, a manufacturer must take 'all reasonable steps' to notify owners of a voluntary vehicle recall, including using the national vehicle register.
What the Law Says
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) oversees vehicle recalls under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 and associated rules. While there is no standalone 'Recall Act', obligations arise from statutory recall requirements and ACCC guidance backed by enforcement powers.
Under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, a registered automotive manufacturer or importer who identifies a safety defect in a vehicle must initiate a recall and take 'all reasonable steps' to notify affected owners. This includes using data from the national vehicle register (managed by state/territory transport authorities) to identify and contact owners.
The Road Vehicle Standards (Administration) Rules 2019 specify that notification must occur within 10 business days after the recall decision is made. The manufacturer must also keep records of all notification efforts for at least 12 months.
Although the recall is 'voluntary' in the sense that it’s not ordered by a court, it becomes a legal obligation once the manufacturer determines a safety defect exists — triggering mandatory notification duties under the Act and Rules.
Statutory TextThe responsible entity must take all reasonable steps to notify persons who may be affected by the safety defect.
— Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, s. 142 — Notification of safety defects
Statutory TextA responsible entity must give notice of the recall to the Regulator within 10 business days after deciding to conduct the recall.
— Road Vehicle Standards (Administration) Rules 2019, r. 57 — Time for giving notice of recall
What to Do
Check if your vehicle is affected using the ACCC’s Recall Search Tool at recalls.accc.gov.au
Contact the manufacturer directly and request written confirmation of whether your VIN was included in their notification list
Report non-notification to the ACCC via https://www.accc.gov.au/contact-us/make-a-complaint
Keep records of any communication with the manufacturer and evidence of ownership (e.g., registration papers)
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.