My car has a safety defect. Can the manufacturer be forced to recall it?

What the Law Says

EU law places clear obligations on vehicle manufacturers to address safety defects and enables national authorities to mandate recalls when necessary.

Under Regulation (EU) 2018/858, manufacturers must ensure vehicles placed on the EU market are safe and compliant. If a safety defect is identified — meaning a characteristic that poses a risk to health or safety — the manufacturer must act immediately.

The manufacturer must notify the national type-approval authority without delay — within 10 days of becoming aware of the defect — and submit a corrective action plan. If the manufacturer fails to act voluntarily or adequately, the authority may order a recall.

All recall-related repairs must be carried out free of charge for consumers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage, as long as the defect falls within the 24-month statutory liability period from delivery (or longer if national law provides more protection).

Statutory Text

Where a type-approval authority has objective evidence that a vehicle, system, component or separate technical unit does not conform to the requirements of this Regulation and constitutes a risk to road safety, the authority shall require the manufacturer to take corrective measures without delay.

— Regulation (EU) 2018/858, Art. 63(1)

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