What a recall is
In the US, federal safety law requires vehicle and equipment manufacturers to fix safety defects. A recall happens when the manufacturer, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), determines that a vehicle, or equipment such as tires or child car seats, has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal safety standard.
Recalls can involve almost any system: airbags, brakes, steering, fuel systems, wiring that could cause a fire, seat belts, lighting or software. Some are urgent enough that the manufacturer advises owners not to drive or not to park near buildings until the fix is done.
How to check for open recalls
The most reliable way to check is by VIN, the 17-character vehicle identification number. A VIN lookup shows recalls for your exact vehicle rather than every vehicle of the same model. Our guide on how to find your VIN shows where to look.
Enter the VIN in our free recall check. You can also check through the manufacturer's owner website or NHTSA's recall lookup.
- Find the VIN on the dashboard, driver door jamb, title, registration or insurance card.
- Enter all 17 characters in a recall lookup.
- Read each open recall: what the defect is, the risk, and what the fix involves.
- Contact an authorized dealer for your vehicle's brand to schedule the free repair.
- Keep the paperwork showing the recall was completed.
Reading the results
A recall lookup usually shows one of a few outcomes. No open recalls means there is nothing outstanding for that VIN. An open, or incomplete, recall means the repair has not been recorded as done. Sometimes a recall shows as open but with the remedy not yet available, which means the manufacturer is still preparing parts or a fix.
Very recent recalls may take a little time to appear, so it is worth checking again periodically, especially if you received a recall notice in the mail.
Who fixes recalls and who pays
Recall repairs are performed by the manufacturer's authorized dealers, and the repair is free to the owner. It does not matter whether you bought the vehicle new or used, or whether you are the first owner. The recall follows the vehicle until it is fixed.
Independent shops and mobile mechanics do not perform recall repairs, because the manufacturer pays its dealers to do the work with approved parts and procedures. If a recall shows up, call a dealer for your brand. Some dealers offer mobile service or loaner vehicles for certain recalls; ask when you call.
If you paid for a repair that later became part of a recall, the manufacturer may have a reimbursement process. Keep your receipts and ask the manufacturer.
When the fix is not available yet
Sometimes a recall is announced before parts are ready. The manufacturer will usually send an interim notice and a second notice when the remedy is available. Follow any safety instructions in the notice. If the notice says not to drive the vehicle, take that seriously and ask the dealer about options.
RVs, trailers and other vehicles
Recalls are not limited to cars. Motorhomes can have recalls on the chassis from the chassis manufacturer and separate recalls on the living area from the RV manufacturer. Travel trailers, motorcycles and equipment such as tires and appliances can also be recalled. For RVs, check both the chassis VIN and any recall notices from the RV builder.
Boats are identified by a hull identification number rather than a VIN, and have their own recall process through the US Coast Guard.
Recalls when buying used
Before you buy a used vehicle, run the VIN through a recall check. Open recalls do not make a vehicle a bad buy, since they can be fixed for free, but you should know about them and plan the dealer visit. Pair the recall check with a pre-purchase inspection for a fuller picture of the vehicle's condition.