Ignoring a vehicle safety recall could soon stop you completing transactions involving that car. New UAE regulations taking effect on 1 January 2027 allow licensing authorities to restrict vehicle-related procedures when owners fail to respond to manufacturer recalls. The restrictions are discretionary, not automatic. Importantly, dealers must repair announced manufacturing defects free of charge. Worth checking whether your car has any outstanding recalls.

The details

UAE motorists who ignore official vehicle recall notices could face restrictions on transactions involving their cars under federal traffic regulations taking effect on 1 January 2027.

The provision is contained in Article 122 of Cabinet Decision No. 174 of 2026, which sets out the procedures for dealing with manufacturing defects and affected vehicle owners.

Under the regulation, licensing authorities may restrict procedures or transactions involving the vehicle identification number (VIN) of a recalled car when the owner fails to respond to a recall.

These restrictions are not automatic. Authorities have discretion to determine the appropriate measures, and the regulation does not specify a fixed response deadline.

Commercial agents representing vehicle manufacturers must monitor recall announcements, identify affected vehicles in the UAE and provide the relevant authorities with their VINs, details of the defects and approved corrective measures.

They are also required to publicise recalls and ensure that affected vehicles can be repaired.

The regulation expressly requires announced manufacturing defects to be repaired free of charge. Dealers must make appropriate spare parts and qualified personnel available.

For vehicle owners, the practical step is to check for outstanding recalls through their authorised dealer and arrange any necessary repairs.