Free recall check by VIN
Enter the VIN and see every safety recall NHTSA has on file for that make, model and model year, with the affected component, what the manufacturer will do about it, and when it was issued.
What an open recall means for a buyer
A recall is issued when the manufacturer or NHTSA finds a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard. The manufacturer must fix it free of charge at any of its franchised dealers, regardless of who owns the car or how many times it has changed hands. There is no time limit on that obligation for most recalls.
An open recall is one that has been issued but not yet repaired on the specific vehicle. For a buyer that means three things:
- It is a free fix. Ask the seller to have it done before you buy, or book it yourself at a dealer after purchase. You should not pay for it and you should not accept a discount instead of a repair on anything safety-related.
- Some recalls are "do not drive" or "park outside". Fuel-pump, airbag inflator and fire-risk recalls sometimes carry those warnings. Treat them as blocking until repaired.
- A remedy may not be available yet. Occasionally a recall is announced before parts exist. The dealer will tell you the expected date.
What this check does and does not tell you
This page matches the make, model and model year decoded from the VIN against NHTSA's recall campaigns. It tells you which campaigns apply to vehicles like this one. It does not tell you whether the repair has already been performed on this exact car; that record is held by the manufacturer and any franchised dealer can look it up from the VIN in a few minutes. Ask for a printout.
Read the buyer's guide to recalls.
Recalls are one section of seven
The full report also shows owner complaints, crash-test ratings, the market price range and known model faults for the car you are looking at.