Toyota Recalls at Brisbane’s Downtown Toyota
Vehicle recalls can be a confusing topic for many car owners, especially when safety is involved. To shed light on the recall process, how it works, and what Toyota owners need to know, we sat down with Adam Finney from Brisbane's Downtown Toyota. Adam shared a wealth of practical insights, from how recalls are identified and communicated to customers, through to the steps Downtown Toyota takes to ensure your vehicle is made safe as quickly and smoothly as possible. Whether you've received a recall notice or just want to check your vehicle, this interview covers everything you need to know.
What is a vehicle recall, and why does Toyota issue them?
“A recall is a safety-related repair that’s required on a vehicle, and it’s usually issued by the ACCC. That means Toyota, as the manufacturer, is obligated to either repair or replace the affected component. Our job as the Brisbane Toyota dealer is to carry out that work for any customer who comes through our door.”
How are Toyota owners notified if their car is affected?
“Toyota notifies owners using the contact details they’ve got on file, whether that’s email, SMS, or post. It depends on what’s available. If it’s a safety recall, they’ll usually make more direct contact. During the airbag recall, for example, the transport department even gave manufacturers access to registration data so they could reach more people. But that kind of access is rare.”
How can someone check if their vehicle has an outstanding recall?
“The easiest way is to visit the Toyota recalls page through this link, enter your 16-digit VIN, which you’ll find on the compliance plate inside the door or on your rego paperwork, and it’ll tell you if there are any outstanding recalls. And of course, we check for recalls every time a vehicle comes into the dealership.”
Can customers contact you directly to check their recall status?
“Absolutely. Customers can call us or fill out a contact form with their rego. We’ll check it live in the Toyota warranty system and our own DMS. It’s a really easy process, and we’re more than happy to do it for them.”
Can you check it with just the number plate?
“Yes, we can. If the vehicle’s been here before, our system will pull it up straight away. If not, we use the QLD Transport app to convert the rego into a VIN, then check for recalls from there. So if a customer doesn’t know their VIN, we can still help.”
Which Toyota models are affected by recalls?
“It changes constantly. There’s no set list. It might be a small software update today and something like injector replacements on a LandCruiser tomorrow. That’s why it’s always best to check by VIN or just give us a call.”
Are certain recalls more urgent than others?
“Definitely. Software-related recalls might just get flagged when the car comes in for service. But for safety recalls, like airbags, Toyota will contact customers multiple times and even send us lists to follow up directly.”
Can Downtown Toyota complete all recall repairs in-house?
“Yes, we can take care of all Toyota recall repairs right here at the dealership.”
Do customers need to book ahead for recall work?
“Yes, they do. If you’re already here, we can take the enquiry, but we’ll usually need to order parts or schedule time in the workshop. So it’s important to book ahead.”
How long does a recall repair usually take?
“It really depends. A software update might only take an hour, while something like injector replacement on a LandCruiser could take up to a week. It all depends on the job.”
Are there any costs involved for customers?
“No, there’s no cost at all. Toyota covers everything. Even if someone has modified their vehicle and didn’t realise there was a recall, we can usually still claim it. Toyota just wants the issue fixed.”
What should customers bring with them?
“All we need is the vehicle and the customer. The only exception is if a third-party part was involved in the recall, then we may ask them to bring in the old part.”
What’s the process like on the day?
“When the customer arrives, we check them in, go over what we’re doing, how long we’ll need the car, and when they plan to collect it. Even if the job’s short, some people leave the car with us all day, which is totally fine. We also double-check the VIN and rego details to make sure we’re working on the correct vehicle, especially with personalised plates.”
Do you offer loan cars or shuttle services during recalls?
“Yes, we do. The only difference is that recall and warranty customers get the loan cars free of charge. We just ask that they book ahead, as numbers are limited.”
Can a recall be done at the same time as a service?
“Yes, 100 percent. It happens all the time. Sometimes the same technician does both jobs the Toyota service and the recall, other times it’s split, depending on the size of the recall. As long as it’s pre-booked and parts are available, it’s no problem.”
How do customers know when their car is ready?
“We use a system called Podium, which sends a text to let them know their vehicle’s ready. If it’s a recall, there’s no charge. If other work was done, they’ll see both the chargeable and non-chargeable items and get a link to pay online. It helps speed things up at pickup.”
Are recalls covered no matter how old the car is?
“Yes. It doesn’t matter how old the car is or how many kilometres it’s done. Once a recall is on the system, it stays open until it’s resolved.”
What if someone ignores the recall?
“If it’s a safety recall, Toyota keeps reaching out. If the customer books in but doesn’t show up, we’ll follow up as well. For non-safety recalls, we might suggest taking care of it at their next visit. But when it’s urgent, we make sure they know how important it is.”
Is it risky to drive a car with an unresolved recall?
“Sometimes it is. Some recalls have no safety risk, but others do. For example, the airbag recall was extremely serious. The airbags could explode and send fragments into the cabin. That was in the manufacturer’s own wording. So yes, there can definitely be risk, and Toyota is very proactive in these cases.”
Can you help with recalls on grey imports?
“We can. We just have to raise a technical case with Toyota. The customer brings the vehicle in, we take photos, send them off to Toyota Australia, and they usually escalate it to Japan. If the recall applies, they’ll guide us on how to get the parts. Since the VIN isn’t in our system, we can’t check it automatically, but we can still help.”
Are used cars checked for recalls before being sold?
“Yes, they are. Our reconditioning team checks for all safety recalls during the roadworthy. If it’s a non-safety recall, we still try to complete it unless there’s a big parts delay. Then before sale, the sales team checks it again using the VIN, just to make sure nothing new has come up.”
Contact The Team at Downtown Toyota Today
If you're unsure whether your vehicle is affected by a recall, Brisbane's Downtown Toyota is here to make the process easy. Simply give us a call or drop in with your rego or VIN, and our team will take care of the rest. As Adam explains, recalls are always completed at no cost to you, and we offer convenient booking options, courtesy vehicles, and a commitment to getting you safely back on the road. If it's been a while since your last visit, or if you’ve never been in, now's a great time to experience our upgraded facilities and expert service first-hand.