What to Do If Your Vehicle's Been Recalled

Hearing the news that your vehicle has made a national recall list can be downright frightening. Many drivers rely on having access to a safe vehicle to go about their daily activities. For minivan owners, a vehicle recall could cause even more panic because chances are you have a young family who frequents the back seats. Once the initial shock wears off, you might become anxious about the damages your vehicle may have incurred. Maintenance and repairs are never cheap and it’s normal to feel uneasy as you weigh your options. The good news is, if your vehicle has been issued for recall, you should never panic. Although extremely rare, vehicle recalls can happen, but they are always enacted in a proactive manner to ensure your ultimate safety and peace of mind. Vehicle recalls are issued as more of a precaution than anything, in order to allow quality control to take place before an incident occurs. Recently, Toyota Motor Corp placed Sienna minivan on a recall list. Here’s what you need to know.

Two weeks ago, Toyota Motor Corp. announced the recall of approximately 834,000 Sienna minivans that had been manufactured from 2011 to 2016. Although the majority of affected minivans were sold in the United States, about 60,000 exist within the Canadian auto market. As a result of hampering on the sliding doors, the motor circuit could become overloaded, automatically unlatch, and cause the doors to open while the vehicle is in motion. For those who have passengers or cargo in the back seats, the results could be dangerous. Castlegar Toyota is committed to providing only the best service to our clients and their vehicles. If you are the current owner of a Toyota Sienna minivan from 2011 to 2016, we promise to help you through the process. Your safety and peace of mind are important to us. There are plenty of proactive measures you can take to get started on identifying whether or not your Sienna has been affected. We have outlined the following guidelines and reading materials to get you started.

Look Up Your VIN

Every vehicle comes with a vehicle identification number (VIN). It can be located on the dashboard on the driver’s side, or on the lower windshield of your vehicle. Your VIN is a seventeen-digit code that helps automotive manufacturers identify individual motor vehicles. If your vehicle has been recalled, you can find out immediately by running a search on your VIN. Toyota customers who currently own a Toyota Sienna from any of the manufactured dates listed above should visit Toyota’s recall website and enter their VIN into the search base. For years, Toyota continues to be a world-class leader when it comes to automotive technology and designs. However, sometimes recalls are necessary to ensure only the best methods and products are delivered as a final result to you as a consumer. All Toyota owners who have been affected by the Toyota Sienna recall will be notified by January 2017.

Stay In Touch With Your Dealership

After looking up your vehicle’s VIN should you find that your Sienna is on the recall list, the best advice is to remain patient. As mentioned, vehicle recalls are a preventative action taken by the manufacturer to protect you and your future investment. You will receive writing in the mail with a set of instructions should further action be required on your part. The best news to remember is that if there are any repairs, maintenance or parts replacement to be done on your Sienna, you don’t have to cover the costs. The fees associated with your recall will be covered by the manufacturer.

At Castlegar Toyota, our customers are our family too. We want you and your family to feel happy, safe and secure in your vehicle at all times. If you require any assistance in this matter, we are always available to answer your questions or concerns. Please call us today at 1-(877) 969-1929 or contact us online for further support.

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