NZ's recall process robust but not flawless

Motor Industry Association CEO Perry Kerr. Photo / Supplied.

With recalls hitting the news, it's fortunate NZ has strict regulations to ensure buyers are notified of safety problems.

Motor Industry Association CEO Perry Kerr says NZ legislation ensures NZTA is advised of safety-related recalls, and distributors protect their customers. But he's concerned that 15 per cent of those affected fall through the gaps, and though they should be flagged at WoF time, there's no obligation on NZTA to ensure they are.

Recalls cover either safety-related or service issues, he says, with the distributor in the country of origin deciding which category the recall falls into.

``In my experience they tend to be conservative rather than not and to tag a recall as a safety issue,' he says.

Distributors automatically advise NZTA, which uses the registration database to generate the names and addresses of all affected current owners, and are obliged to contact all of them. When 85 per cent are reached, the recall drops from the NZTA list, though a distributor can use your car's VIN number to check safety or service campaigns have been addressed. You can do it yourself at mia.org.nz/recalls.asp.

Kerr says: ``Recalls are relatively common in the motor vehicle industry, because vehicles are so complex, and distributors globally have an obligation to fix them.' Owners of used imports are also protected. What worries Kerr is those owners the distributor does not reach. ``We have an ongoing dialogue with NZTA that it should do something to capture those cars. The most logical thing is to stop having a warrant issued.'

But NZTA spokesperson Andy Knackstedt says placing ban flags on vehicles is a costly and labour-intensive process.

``We're looking at ways to make the process easier.'

Meanwhile, AA technical advice manager Jack Biddle says,: ``Unfortunately with any mass produced item recalls do happen and will continue to happen in the future.

``If an owner has any concerns about the safety or quality of their vehicle, they should report those concerns to the distributor concerned immediately via their local dealership.'