Vehicle Recalls Checker

Checking a vehicle for open safety recalls by VIN is a smart step for anyone considering a used car. Some vehicles are sold with open recalls, branded titles, or undisclosed damage. A recall check helps you identify unresolved safety issues before you buy.

Safety-recall repairs must be provided by the manufacturer at no charge (parts and labor) when a vehicle is presented to an authorized dealer, but free-repair eligibility is time-limited: federal law generally requires free remedies for vehicles that were first sold (to the first purchaser other than for resale) within the past 15 years. A quick VIN check reduces the risk of buying a car with an unfixed safety issue.

Running a recall check takes only minutes: locate the VIN and enter it into the search form. You'll see whether the vehicle has any open safety recalls and–when available–details about prior safety campaigns and other relevant history.

For reference, NHTSA also offers a free VIN lookup that shows open recalls from the past 15 calendar years. Our report goes further by surfacing additional history indicators to help you spot potential red flags before purchase.

How It Works

Our reports combine official safety-recall status with information from trusted sources, including national and state vehicle databases (e.g., NMVTIS), manufacturer recall communications, insurance and auction data, and service/inspection records where available.

To check for recalls, first find the VIN – the vehicle's unique 17-character identifier. Common VIN locations include:

• On the driver's side dashboard, visible through the windshield;
• On the driver's side door jamb (label on the pillar);
• On your registration, insurance card, or title documents;
• On trailers: typically on the tongue or on the front of the frame;
• On motorcycles: typically on the steering head/front frame or side of the vehicle; see Motorcycle VIN.

After you find the VIN, open our online form and start the recall check.

What Can 17 Characters Tell You?

Each VIN search may include the following records (when available):

• Vehicle title information; make/model/trim; engine and basic specs; possible exterior color;
• Accident records and any reported subsequent repairs;
• Commercial use (e.g., prior fleet/rental), liens, and repossessions (paid and unpaid);
• Recorded mileage/odometer readings and possible inconsistencies;
• Damage reports (fire, flood, collision) and total-loss records;
• Inspection and emissions-test records (where reported).

Most importantly, you'll see whether the vehicle is subject to an open safety recall and, when known, the status of any prior recall remedies.

Are Recall Repairs Free? Eligibility, Time Limits, and Exceptions

Yes–by federal law, manufacturers must provide safety-recall remedies without charge (parts and labor) when the vehicle is presented for the recall repair at an authorized dealer.

Eligibility is time-limited: to qualify for a free remedy, a vehicle generally must have been first sold within the last 15 calendar years (measured from the date of first retail sale). Note that for tires, the free-remedy window is generally five years from the first retail purchase. Vehicles older than that may still be repaired at the automaker's discretion, but a free repair is not required.

Ownership changes do not affect eligibility. Branded or salvage-title vehicles are often still eligible if repairs are feasible and the vehicle is operable (program bulletins sometimes specify exceptions). If you already paid to fix the same safety defect shortly before the recall notice, you may be entitled to reimbursement under the automaker's required pre-notification reimbursement plan (keep your receipts).

What's not covered? Non-safety service campaigns or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) are not recalls and may not be free; unrelated wear-and-tear repairs are your responsibility. If a dealer attempts to charge you for the recall remedy itself, contact the manufacturer or file a complaint with NHTSA.

Recalls vs. Service Campaigns vs. TSBs

Safety Recall: Addresses a safety-related defect or a violation of federal safety standards. The manufacturer must notify owners and provide a free remedy through authorized dealers. Some recalls include urgent guidance such as "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" until repaired.

Service Campaign (Customer Satisfaction Program): Targets non-safety concerns or durability updates. It's voluntary, often limited by time/mileage/VIN ranges, and coverage can expire; repairs may not be free after limits.

Technical Service Bulletin (TSB): Guidance for technicians describing symptoms, causes, and procedures for known issues. A TSB is not a recall and doesn't guarantee a free repair unless the vehicle is under warranty or the manufacturer provides goodwill coverage.

Open Recall? Do This Next

1. Confirm the recall. Check your VIN on the NHTSA recall page and your manufacturer's site. Note the campaign number, description, and any urgency labels.
2. Follow urgent guidance immediately. If you see "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside," stop driving or park as directed until repaired.
3. Call an authorized dealer for your brand. Provide the VIN and recall number, ask about parts availability, and book the earliest appointment.
4. Ask about support if the car isn't safe to drive. For urgent recalls, manufacturers may arrange towing, a loaner, or mobile repair–ask what's available.
5. Confirm the repair is no-charge. Recall remedies should be performed at no cost to you when eligible. Decline unrelated paid work unless you request it.
6. Get it in writing. Ensure the work order clearly references the recall campaign. Keep the repair order/invoice and any manufacturer notices.
7. Verify closure afterward. Recheck your VIN on NHTSA/manufacturer sites a few days after service to confirm the recall is shown as closed.
8. If parts aren't available, ask to be placed on a waitlist, request an estimated timeframe, and get written acknowledgment of the delay.
9. If service is refused or delayed unreasonably, escalate to the brand's customer care and consider filing a complaint with regulators; document dates and names.
10. If you're buying used, make recall completion a condition of sale or negotiate accordingly; avoid "Do Not Drive" vehicles until repaired.

Where Do We Get This Data, and Is It Legal?

Yes. VIN-based history and recall checks rely on permitted public and proprietary data sources. We use trusted databases that respect privacy and applicable laws. We do not display personal driver information.

• U.S. national and state vehicle databases (e.g., NMVTIS);
• Manufacturer recall communications and other manufacturer notices;
• Insurance, auction/salvage, rental/fleet records;
• Service and inspection records where available.

Let's Start!

Click "Check VIN" to see if a vehicle has an open safety recall. Unrepaired recalls can involve critical components such as air bags, braking, steering, or unintended acceleration. Don't let undisclosed issues surprise you–run a recall check and make a safer, more informed decision.

Additional Resources

• NHTSA – VIN Recall Lookup
• NHTSA – Report a Safety Problem (File a Complaint)
• Transport Canada – Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database
• Transport Canada – Defects and recalls of vehicles, tires and child car seats