Car owners could be legally forced to join recalls

Minister Karremans of Infrastructure and Water Management is considering a law that would oblige motorists to cooperate with vehicle recalls. He wants to improve the registration of recalls and the communication with car owners first. If that does not work, he will consider a legal duty for consumers to take part.

"We don't have a good handle on this problem at the moment, or on exactly how many cars are involved," Karremans said. "It's about your safety and your family's safety, and it's really important that this gets done."

The Verbond van Verzekeraars, the insurance association, warns that driving on despite an open recall can affect insurance cover, depending on the circumstances.

The motor trade association Bovag, the vehicle licensing agency RDW and the transport inspectorate Inspectie voor Leefomgeving en Transport all favour requiring vehicle owners to cooperate.

The problem has been known for years. In 2019 the Rutte III cabinet promised improvement. It looked at whether owners could be obliged to have their cars repaired, and whether manufacturers could be required to supply better information.

Other countries have stricter rules. In Norway, Denmark and Germany, manufacturers can face sanctions if they do not meet the recall rules. In Denmark, Germany and Finland, car owners can be fined if they do not have defects repaired.