How do I check if my car has a recall?
Short answer
Enter your car's 17-character VIN in NHTSA's free lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, which shows any safety recall that hasn't been repaired on that specific vehicle. If one comes up, call a dealer for your brand to schedule the fix; safety recall repairs are done at no charge.
Safety first. Some recalls come with a "do not drive" or "park outside" warning because the defect can cause a crash or fire. If yours does, follow that instruction and ask the dealer about towing.
On this page
Step by step
- 1
Find your VIN
Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver's side, on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb, or on your registration or insurance card. It's 17 characters, letters and numbers.
- 2
Search NHTSA's recall lookup
Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter the VIN. The result lists open safety recalls on that exact vehicle, or says none were found.
- 3
Read the recall details
Each recall explains the defect, the safety risk, and what the fix is. Some recalls say the remedy isn't available yet; you can still schedule once the automaker releases it.
- 4
Book the repair with a dealer
Call a dealer for your vehicle's brand, give them the VIN, and ask them to perform the open recall. Safety recall repairs are free.
- 5
Sign up for future alerts
NHTSA offers recall notifications by email and a mobile app, so you hear about new recalls on your vehicle without having to check again.
What the recall lookup covers
NHTSA, the federal agency responsible for vehicle safety, runs the lookup with data from automakers. It covers cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and motorcycles from major manufacturers. Car seats, tires and other equipment have their own recall search on the same page.
A recall means the automaker or NHTSA determined there’s a safety-related defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard. The automaker has to notify registered owners and provide a remedy, usually a repair, sometimes a replacement or refund.
Check before you buy a used car
Recalls aren’t always repaired before a car is resold. Running the VIN takes under a minute and tells you whether there’s an open safety defect waiting to be fixed. If there is, it can still be repaired at no cost after you buy, but you’ll want to know whether the car is safe to drive in the meantime.
If the dealer says the parts aren’t available
Sometimes a recall is announced before the repair parts are ready. Ask the dealer to put you on the list, ask whether there’s any interim guidance (some recalls advise against certain uses until fixed), and check the recall notice for what the automaker recommends while you wait.
Recalls vs. service bulletins
A recall is for a safety defect and the fix is free. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is guidance from the automaker to dealers about a known issue; it isn’t automatically free unless the car is under warranty or the automaker says so. NHTSA’s site also lists manufacturer communications like TSBs for many vehicles.
Common follow-up questions
Is checking for recalls free?
Yes. NHTSA's VIN lookup is free and doesn't require an account.
Do I have to pay for a recall repair?
No, safety recall repairs are done free by a dealer for your brand. If you paid for a repair before the recall was announced, the automaker may have a reimbursement program; the recall notice explains it.
Why does searching by year, make and model show recalls my car doesn't have?
A model-level search shows every recall that ever covered that model, including ones that only affected certain build dates or that were already fixed on your car. The VIN search is specific to your vehicle and only shows unrepaired recalls.
I bought my car used. Do recalls still apply?
Yes. A recall follows the vehicle, not the owner, so open recalls can still be fixed free after a sale. That's why it's worth running the VIN on any used car before you buy it.
The VIN search says no recalls, but I got a recall letter. Why?
Very new recalls can take a short time to appear, and a recall the dealer has already completed won't show as open. Call a dealer with your VIN to confirm.
Sources
- 1.NHTSA — Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment
- 2.NHTSA — Safer Car: Vehicle Safety, Ratings and Recalls
- 3.NHTSA — VIN Decoder
General information only, not a diagnosis. Your owner’s manual comes first. How we write these