Tyres are a safety-critical product, and occasionally a batch is found to have a manufacturing defect — a tread-separation risk, a sidewall weakness or an incorrect marking. When that happens, the supplier issues a tyre recall. The good news is that Australia has a well-organised, free system for checking recalls, and acting on one costs you nothing. This guide explains how tyre recalls work in Australia, how to check if your tyres are affected, and exactly what to do if they are.
How do tyre recalls work in Australia?
In Australia, consumer product recalls — including tyres sold as replacement products — are coordinated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) through its Product Safety Australia website. The ACCC describes it as “a single entry point to national, state and territory product safety and recalls information.” The supplier (the manufacturer, importer or distributor) is responsible for conducting the recall: notifying owners, publishing the affected batch details and providing a free remedy.
Real examples that have appeared on the register include Yokohama, Cooper and Hercules passenger and light-truck tyres, recalled over specific size and date-code batches. If a tyre is fitted to a new vehicle at the factory, a related issue may instead appear as a vehicle recall on the Government’s vehicle recalls site — so it is worth checking both.
How do I check if my tyres are recalled?
Four steps:
- Identify your tyres. Read the brand, model and size off the sidewall. Our guide to reading a tyre sidewall walks through every marking.
- Find the date code. The DOT code ends in four digits giving the week and year of manufacture — this is how recalls pin down an affected batch. See how to read the DOT date code.
- Search the register. Go to productsafety.gov.au, use “Search product recalls”, and enter the brand or model. Each recall notice lists the exact sizes and date codes affected.
- Cross-check vehicle recalls. If the tyres came fitted to a new car, also search the Government vehicle recalls database by your make and model.
You can also sign up for free email alerts on Product Safety Australia so you are notified automatically if a product you own is recalled.
What should I do if my tyre is on the recall list?
Act promptly — a recalled tyre has a known safety defect:
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Stop driving on it | If the notice says the defect is serious, avoid driving until the tyre is checked or replaced. |
| 2. Read the remedy | The recall notice states the free remedy — usually replacement, sometimes inspection or refund. |
| 3. Contact the supplier | Phone the retailer, importer or manufacturer listed on the notice. Keep your purchase receipt if you have it. |
| 4. Book the fix | The remedy is free. You should not pay for a recall replacement or its fitting. |
A recall remedy is separate from a warranty claim. A recall is a safety action the supplier must provide at no cost; a warranty covers other defects and wear issues — see what tyre warranties actually cover. If a fitter has flagged a problem, also check whether it amounts to a dangerous sidewall fault or an unrepairable sidewall bubble, both of which warrant replacement regardless of any recall.
How will I know if there is a recall I have missed?
Suppliers must make genuine efforts to reach affected owners, but a replacement tyre you bought at a franchise may not be traced back to you. That is why the register and email alerts matter — they put you in control rather than relying on being contacted. A quick search once a year, or whenever you buy a new set, is sensible. Recalls are rare, and a defective tyre is not the same as one that has simply worn out or been mistreated, a distinction we clear up in tyre myths Australian drivers still believe.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I check for tyre recalls in Australia?
Search the ACCC’s Product Safety Australia recalls database at productsafety.gov.au by brand and model. If the tyres came fitted to a new car, also check the Government vehicle recalls site by make and model.
How do I know which batch of tyres is affected?
Recall notices list the exact sizes and DOT date codes. The DOT code’s last four digits give the week and year of manufacture, letting you match your tyre to the affected batch.
Do I have to pay for a recall replacement?
No. A recall remedy — replacement, inspection or refund — is provided free by the supplier, including fitting. You should never be charged to rectify a recalled product.
Is a recall the same as a warranty claim?
No. A recall is a mandatory safety action for a known defect, provided free. A warranty is a separate agreement covering other faults and wear issues, with its own terms and conditions.
Guidance is general information for Australian consumers as at 2026. Recall details and remedies are set by the supplier and the ACCC — always confirm current information directly with ACCC Product Safety Australia and the tyre supplier named on the notice.
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