COVID-19 complications from the car-seller's side

Lorraine Sommerfeld - driving.ca | October 6, 2020

The pandemic completely changed how the car-buying process worked—but new-car purchasers say dealers have done a good job adapting. Read more.

BMW MINI fire highlights need to report to regulators

Ross McLaughlin - CTV News Vancouver | September 14, 2020

..."In Canada, one of the issues we’ve seen is a failure to report these incidents,” Iny says... Often vehicle fires get reported to insurance but don’t get reported to Transport Canada regulators, which can investigate to determine if there’s a bigger problem. Read More

Vehicle Launch Event: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Ron Corbett - APA | August 25, 2020

Ford held a “socially-distanced” vehicle reveal for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, at its head office in Oakville, Ontario, on August 19, 2020. Read our report 

APA Lemon-Aid Guide: What’s new for 2021

Ron Corbett - APA | August 10, 2020

While there have been no major auto shows since Toronto in mid February, automakers are still unveiling new models. APA's Ron Corbett has compiled two reports on these announcements. Read the latest update

Lorraine Explains: Want to buy a car? Now might be the best time

Lorraine Sommerfeld - driving.ca | June 8, 2020

...The Automobile Protection Association (APA) “expects that the lost production in 2020 will require automakers to trim their incentives or raise prices in the autumn.” Coupled with an anticipated shortage of some models, look for prices to head back up. Read More 

Dealerships reopen after COVID-19 shutdown

George Iny - APA | June 3, 2020

We spoke with Paul Shaw of Ken Shaw Lexus Toyota to find out how dealerships are operating in an era of social distancing and increased sanitary measures: Read More 

Can I put off car payments and insurance premiums because of COVID-19?

Jason Tchir - The Globe and Mail | April 6, 2020

I’ve lost some income because of everything happening with COVID-19. What happens if I can’t make my car payments right now?

If you have to miss a payment because of COVID-19, don’t put off asking for help.. Read More

Toyota's paint-peeling problem to be covered under 'unprecedented' extended warranty for certain models

Yvonne Colbert - CBC News | February 13, 2020

Toyota has announced details of a plan to fix vehicles with peeling white paint, a problem that has plagued the automaker for years.Toyota... said its "warranty enhancement program" will cover several models of vehicles with blizzard pearl or super white paint manufactured as far back as 2008. Read More

APA at the 2020 Canadian International Auto Show Press Day

Ron Corbett - APA | February 13, 2020

The Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto is the largest event in the Canadian car show season, with around 350,000 people expected to pass through the turnstiles by the time the show ends. Read More

Lorraine Explains: Are modern car shows irrelevant?

Lorraine Sommerfeld - Driving.ca | January 20, 2020

...As Ron Corbett with the Automobile Protection Association so succinctly puts it, “they are consumer shows first and while they can be useful PR venues, the consumer aspect of the shows is paramount and ignoring that many cheque-waving potential buyers seems foolhardy.” Read More

APA at the 2020 Salon de L'Auto de Montreal Press Day

Ron Corbett - APA | January 16, 2020

The 2020 Salon de l’Auto de Montreal is the 77th edition of the show, ran from January 17th to the 26th at the Palais de Congres in Montreal.
Read More

Remembering Paul Babarik

January 21, 2020

Long-time APA member and retired Concordia University Professor Paul Babarik passed away this month, age 90. Read More

APA at the 2020 AJAC Test Fest

Ron Corbett - APA | November 14, 2019

The Auto Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) car of the year TestFest took place at Mosport Raceway, in Ontario, on October 29th and 30th, 2019. Read More

Your car-loan payment may be way too high. Here's what's happening

Erica Alini - Global News | October 26, 2019

Behind the gargantuan loans are ever longer auto loans, early trade-ins, and negative equity, an issue that's been long known to insiders but remains poorly understood by many consumers, according to Iny...
Read More

Are used parts OK in insurance claims?

Ross McLaughlin - CTV Vancouver | September 10, 2019

The engine... seized 15 minutes after getting an oil change at a Mr. Lube in Richmond.. Read More

If the car dealer starts calling you a VIP, be wary

Lorraine Sommerfeld - driving.ca | September 9, 2019

Dealerships offering "pull-ahead" schemes want your car for the same reasons you shouldn't sell it to them... Read More

Toyota tight-lipped as Canada-wide parts snafu leaves customers fuming

Yvonne Colbert - CBC News | August 29, 2019

It's been 57 days and counting since Halifax resident Catrina Brown took her leased Toyota Rav4 to a collision centre after it was damaged in a highway accident... Read More  Podcast

Can Car Dealers Add Fees to Advertised Prices? The Majority of Ontarians Don’t Know the Answer

OMVIC | April 16, 2019

According to OMVIC, only 47 per cent of Ontario’s car buyers know that if a dealer advertises a price for a new or used vehicle, that price must include all fees and charges the dealer intends to collect, with the exception of HST and licensing... Read More

When Honda refuses to fix a recalled CR-V, it gets to decide how much it's worth

Yvonne Colbert - CBC News | April 8, 2019

A Rothesay, N.B., woman whose Honda CR-V has been recalled says she's caught in a battle with the automaker after it refused to repair her vehicle and instead "pressured" her to sell it back for less than she believes it's worth. Read More

Two major recalls and a warranty extension from Hyundai and Kia Canada

APA | April 4th, 2019

Hyundai and Kia Canada issued important "Product Improvement Campaigns" covering 2011-2018 models with 2L turbo and 2.4L non-turbo engines. The engines are used in the Optima and Sonata sedans, and some Sorento, Sportage, Santa Fe and Tucson SUVs... Hyundai Canada has agreed to extend the warranty for all vehicles covered under the Knock Sensor Detection Software campaign to 10 years/200 000 km, whichever comes first. Find out more and see which models are affected.

2018 APA Secret Shopper Investigation of Vancouver New Car Dealerships with CTV's W5

APA - W5 | April 14, 2018

Secret shoppers from the Automobile Protection Association visited 16 car dealerships in Greater Vancouver to shop for new vehicles. Visits were recorded on W5’s hidden cameras. The W5 report on the investigation airs on Saturday April 14, 2018 and is available online. Overall, just three (about 20%) of the 16 dealerships visited earned a Pass. Read More

The Sometimes Risky Business of Extended Term Car Loans

OMVIC | November 4, 2017

A cautionary tale about the 8-year loan from the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council. Be aware of the potential drawbacks when you decide to finance your next vehicle over a longer term. [PDF] Read More.

Subaru Extends Warranty for High Oil Consumption

Subaru Canada

Subaru Canada recently extended the warranty for engines that experience high oil consumption to 8 years/160,000 km. If you already paid for a repair, the deadline for reimbursement is November 30, 2017. Read More.

Supreme Court denies federal evidence to Quebec gas price fixing lawsuit
National Post | September 28, 2017

A class-action suit that alleges oil companies and fuel retailers in Quebec were engaged in fixing the price of gasoline hit a pothole Thursday. Read More

$17M settlement reached in lawsuit targeting Eastern Townships gas 'cartel'
CBC News | May 19, 2017

A 10-year legal battle has resulted in a $17-million out-of-court settlement between a group of Eastern Township motorists and a number of gas retailers in the area. Read More

Another customer claims Winnipeg car dealership owes her money for trade-in
CBC News | April 17, 2017

Another customer has come forward claiming a Winnipeg car dealership owes her money following a CBC News story about a Brandon couple who claim to be owed more than $28,000. Read More.

Even Ford Motor Co. is concerned about Canadians’ car loan debt
Maclean's | March 31, 2017

Ford Motor Co. has joined financial regulators in raising concerns over Canadians’ appetites for longer-term loans to finance the purchase of new vehicles. Read More

APA's Annual Undercover Investigation with W5
CTV W5 & APA | March 18, 2017

The APA teamed up with W5 to go shopping for new cars. In LET'S MAKE A DEAL the APA's secret shoppers dropped in on car dealerships in Calgary. Read More.

Exploding Sunroofs: What can cause it, and who's to blame?
Mark Toljagic - Wheels.ca | Jan 16, 2017

Car owners who complain to their dealership about their shattered sunroof are almost always told that it was a flying stone that broke the glass and are advised to make an insurance claim. Read More

Millions of Vehicles with Potentially Dangerous Recalls Still on Road - Joanne Levasseur and Katie Nicholson - CBC News | Dec 7, 2016

"It's just this complete circle of finger-pointing that's going on, and nobody's taking responsibility for the issue," said Kevin MacDonald, an Ottawa car dealer who is fed up with government and manufacturer inaction. Read More

Ford owner fears for her safety after serious car malfunction
Ross McLaughlin and Sandra Hermiston - CTV | November 7, 2016

Kristen Chafe bought her 2014 Ford Edge because she thought it would be a dependable, sturdy vehicle. But the car only had about 23,000 kilometres on it... Read More

APA & CTV W5 Undercover Investigation
CTV W5 & APA | April 9, 2016

Sticker Shock! Secret shoppers from the APA visited 20 new car dealerships in Vancouver. See the full report.

New Sask. laws will help car buyers avoid hidden fees
CBC News | February 2, 2016

Automobile Protection Association says hidden fees can total more than $1K. Read More

Is your used car actually safe? Soon, it’ll be easier to tell
Lorraine Sommerfeld - Driving.ca | January 25, 2016

Mechanics and used car dealers may be up in arms, but Ontario's overhaul of its safety certificate program is long overdue. Read More

Nova Scotia urged to adopt all-in pricing on vehicle sales

Yvonne Colbert - CBC | January 19, 2016

A Halifax man annoyed about what he calls "hidden" car fees is calling on the Nova Scotia government to follow the lead of several other provinces and implement all-in pricing for vehicle purchases. Read More

Report Warns Auto Financing Going Overboard
APA | August 7, 2015

Seven years now the norm for vehicle loans. Full Article

Dealer, Toyota kept Montreal widow on the hook for husband's lease
CBC News - Raffy Boudjikanian | May 19, 2015

Situation to be rectified after questions by CBC. Read More

APA's Annual Review of the Auto Industry on CTV W5
March 28, 2015

The Real Deal - APA mystery shoppers visit 22 Calgary car dealerships. Read the APA Report

APA's Investigation of Used Car Dealers in Toronto
CTV W5 | April 2014

Accompanied by an expert mechanic, APA mystery shoppers embarked once again on a hair-raising quset for a used car in the GTA.
Read the full report | Visit CTV W5's Website

APA's Investigation of Used Car Dealers in Vancouver
CTV W5 | March 2013

APA mystery shoppers visited 18 used car dealers and two curbsiders in the Greater Vancouver area looking for a good used car.
Read More

Shops Unable to Pass the Latest APA Auto Repair Investigation
April 2011

The APA visited 31 repair shops in Toronto and Calgary for the correction of a simple problem, with mixed results.
Read More