Unsafe imports: AIA sounds the alarm

As most global automakers multiply recall campaigns to protect their customers, Lebanon faces a worrying blind spot: cars imported through unofficial channels, completely outside manufacturers’ control.

In a country already struggling with weak consumer protections and limited regulatory enforcement, the surge in cars entering Lebanon through parallel import routes poses a serious and often underestimated threat. Beyond financial risks and warranty issues, the absence of manufacturer oversight directly impacts one of the most critical factors on Lebanese roads: safety. The Automotive Importers Association (AIA) is now sounding the alarm because when recalls are ignored, it’s not just a car that breaks down… safety does too.

The AIA is raising a red flag: neglecting recall programs means putting your safety and that of others at risk.

Every year, major manufacturers including Toyota, Ford, Tesla, Hyundai, BYD, and BMW launch large-scale recall campaigns, often for recent models, to correct potentially serious technical defects.

The latest example: Chinese giant BYD recalled more than 115,000 vehicles worldwide due to a battery defect that could lead to steering failure or even fire. “Some of the models sold in Lebanon through the official distributor were affected, allowing them to be updated and repaired under warranty,” the AIA notes.

The pitfall of the parallel market

But not everyone is that lucky. In Lebanon, between 8,000 and 10,000 new vehicles are believed to enter the market each year through independent importers particularly Chinese brands such as Chery, Geely, Dongfeng, and BYD with no official link to the manufacturer. These cars often arrive via informal channels, sometimes registered with incomplete or tampered serial numbers.

The result? No manufacturer warranty. No recalls. No certified maintenance.

An official dealer explains, “Every month we see clients who were misled. They believe they bought a brand-new car with a warranty, but their VIN doesn’t even exist in the manufacturer’s database. That puts their lives and others’ in danger.”

According to the AIA, the parallel market has accounted for nearly 30% of new-car sales since 2022. This trend deprives the state of tax revenue, weakens official dealerships, and destabilizes a sector already strained by Lebanon’s economic crisis.

A matter of safety and governance

The AIA is urging the Ministry of Economy and Trade to enforce the law requiring all new-car sellers to provide a manufacturer warranty and authorized after-sales service. Although designed to protect consumers, this regulation remains widely unenforced on the ground.

An association member, speaking anonymously, warns: “The parallel market thrives on buyers’ lack of awareness. A vehicle not recognized by its manufacturer loses up to 40% of its value and endangers its driver.” They add, “Lebanon cannot become an automotive graveyard. Recalls are a safety measure, not a formality. Authorities must urgently protect consumers by enforcing manufacturer warranties.”

The AIA therefore calls on drivers to buy only through authorized distributors and to check their vehicle's status online. In a country where the roads already challenge your reflexes, it’s better to prevent than to put out a fire literally.

Sidebar

How to check if your car is under a recall?

Locate your VIN (17-character identification number) on your registration card or windshield.

Go to the manufacturer’s official recall page

Enter the VIN to verify if your vehicle is affected.

Contact the official distributor in Lebanon: only they are authorized to perform the update or repair free of charge.

Avoid unofficial intermediaries they cannot guarantee safety or proper service.