Buying a used vehicle imported from Japan is a great way to access high-quality, well-maintained cars at competitive prices. But one important step many buyers overlook is checking for outstanding manufacturer recalls—especially when the vehicle was originally built for the Japanese domestic market (JDM).

Unlike locally sold cars, JDM vehicles aren’t always covered by recall notifications in your country. That means you’ll need to check for recalls manually using official Japanese resources.

Here’s a simple guide to help you verify whether your imported vehicle has any unresolved safety recalls.

🔎 Step-by-Step: How to Check for Recalls on Japanese Vehicles

1. Locate Your Vehicle’s Chassis Number (Frame Number or VIN)
Most recall checks in Japan require the chassis number, not the full 17-digit VIN used internationally. You’ll usually find it:

• On your export paperwork
• On the engine bay identification plate
• On the registration certificate (once imported)

It may look something like: AE111-0001234 (with a hyphen separating model code and serial number).

2. Visit the Official Manufacturer Recall Page
Each Japanese manufacturer has its own recall check website. These pages are usually in Japanese, but most browsers (like Google Chrome) will auto-translate them to English.

You can find a list of direct links here (click the logo to open the page in a new window):👉 

3. Enter the Chassis Number Exactly as Shown
Make sure you input the full chassis number including any hyphens. Even a small mistake can return a “no results” page or inaccurate data. Some sites require only the last few digits, while others need the full code.

4. Translate and Read the Results
If the site returns results in Japanese, use your browser’s translate feature to understand the recall status.

• No recalls: Your vehicle has no known manufacturer issues.
• Recall applicable: The vehicle has an outstanding issue that has not yet been addressed.
• Recall completed: The recall work has already been carried out by a dealer in Japan.

🛠️ Bonus Tip: Look for Physical Recall Completion Signs

Some Japanese dealers mark the vehicle when a recall has been completed. Look for:

• A sticker on the driver’s side B-pillar with a campaign code or Japanese writing
• A paint dot on bolts or components in the engine bay

These are not always present, but if you see them, it's a helpful sign that recall work was likely done.

🛑 Why You Should Always Check for Recalls

Even if the vehicle passed Japan’s strict shaken inspection, that doesn’t mean recall work was completed. The shaken focuses on roadworthiness, not recall compliance.

And once a vehicle leaves Japan, it's no longer actively tracked for recalls by Japanese dealerships. Most local dealerships in countries outside Japan may not honour JDM recall campaigns—especially if parts are not stocked locally.

That’s why checking before or soon after import is critical.

✅ Summary: Stay Safe, Stay Informed

Before registering or driving your imported Japanese car, take a few minutes to check for recalls using the official manufacturer tools. It’s free, fast, and a vital step in protecting your safety and maintaining the value of your vehicle.

Purchasing a Japanese Import? At Ignition Imports, we provide our customers with recall checks on every vehicle we import. Safety and transparency are part of our commitment to quality.