As there are plenty of car experts on here, I hope this is a productive question.
If there is a car safety recall on your car, without going to the Dealer/bringing the car in, is there a way whereby can you easily and centrally check if your car is affected? Specifically for Europe, or even better just for Switzerland. I have tried by websearching and reading articles and forums, but haven't quite found what I need yet - a simple easy search where you enter your car’s ID number (VIN or Chassis number) and you get a list of any recalls on it.
For example, I have an issue with my otherwise wonderful BMW (will start separate thread on that):
ALL BMW X5's are built in the US. BMW USA recalled the 2011-2015 X5 and X6 due to a drivetrain failure (front driveshaft’s universal joint). Plenty of articles on it (here and here for starters) ... If you are in the US, easy - go to BMW USA site where you can enter your cars i.d. (VIN) number to find out if you're impacted.
In the US, there is National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/"]website ](https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/) where you put in your VIN / chassis number. Easy.
Same for the UK . They list the VIN ranges affected...
My web research also yielded a EU (European Commission) Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products (RAPEX) but Switzerland doesn’t seem to be part of it (they don't list a contact point and CH isn’t listed as a cooperation partner), and there is no easy way to enter a VIN number and be done with it.
http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consum...x/index_en.htm
So, anyone know an easy way to find if your car, or BMW, has a safety recall, Is there an easy to sue site for Switzerland, or for Europe?
This doesn’t just affect a few BMW owners, as there are many brands affected by the Takata airbag recall.... Would be good (safe) to be able to quickly check and know.
I also found a few 3rd party sites (e.g. http://car-recalls.eu
) - but they also use the EU RAPEX system. So, anything that covers Switzerland?
P.S. Also TCS website has a broad article on the matter (FR version https://www.tcs.ch/fr/auto-deux-roue...et-defauts.php ) (DE version https://www.tcs.ch/de/auto-zweirad/k...fe-maengel.php ) , but they refer to the federal transport office and to a body called auto-suisse ( https://www.auto.swiss/fr/home/ ) but I don’t find recall information on their sites either.